Smart Parking charge notice in Northern Ireland

[Mrs G]

Have received two separate parking charges from shopping centre but in my panic I paid the first one as worried about the fine increasing if not paid within 14 days but now have received another one for a second offence. I have been told that I shouldn't have paid the fine in the first place as the Co doesn't have any rights to enforce payment in NI. My worry is that now that I have already paid one fine and that they have my details, do I need to pay the 2nd fine or can I still ignore that one. They have photo of the car and my name and address on the charge notice although I was not driving in either case.

[Kati]

Any ideas ostell ?

[ostell]

This is NI. Ignore. They can only go after the driver. They have got your name from the DVLA as the registered keeper.

The regulation that allows them to chase the keeper (POFA) only applies in England and Wales. The act was not enabled in Scotland and NI.

[Mrs G]

Although, having paid the first fine which is potentially admitting the offence (even though it wasn't actually me!) and with that possibly confirming I was the driver, can I still ignore this second one as is a separate issue. Also, is it feasible to appeal the first fine and ask for a refund or has that ship sailed?

[ostell]

They can try to show you were the driver but they have to come up with proof. Just file the paperwork away

Trying to reclaim the first charge is fraught with problems, probably best not go there. It's not impossible but it would be more strain.

Now you know then you know what to do in the future.

Can you delete inferring who was the driver from your first post please. Just in case they read it.

P.S. It's not a fine, it's simply a speculative invoice.