Council Fine CheckPCNs from London boroughs and Transport for London go to London Tribunals, where the Environment and Traffic Adjudicators decide appeals. Like the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, appeals are free and the adjudicators are independent.
The grounds depend on the type of PCN
London Tribunals publishes the only grounds it can allow an appeal on, and they differ by type:
- Parking (under the 2022 regulations): the contravention did not occur (including restrictions not properly signed); you were not the owner; the vehicle was taken without consent; the penalty exceeded the amount; you are a hire firm that has named the hirer; procedural impropriety; the traffic order is invalid; the officer was not prevented from issuing it (postal PCNs only); or it was already paid (source).
- Bus lanes: you were not the owner; there was no breach of the bus lane order (for example outside its hours, not properly signed, an exempt vehicle, or the wrong amount); the vehicle was taken without consent; or the police are taking action for the same event (source).
- Moving traffic (box junctions, banned turns, no entry and similar): the contravention did not occur; the vehicle was taken without consent; you are a qualifying hire firm; you were not the owner; or the penalty exceeded the amount, which includes a PCN not served or served out of time (source).
Note that "compelling reasons" and "procedural impropriety" are not listed for London bus lane and moving traffic PCNs. Put mitigation to the council, which can still use its discretion.
The deadline
Appeal within 28 days of the Notice of Rejection being served, or a longer period the adjudicator allows (SI 2022/576 reg 7 for parking; LLA&TfL Act 2003, Sch 1 para 4 for moving traffic).
What to send
Your appeal statement, ground by ground; photos of the signs and markings; the council's or TfL's evidence and their Notice of Rejection; and anything that proves your points (sale documents, crime reference, payment proof). The full pack sets the statement out for you.