PATAS - June 15

East Finchley High Road

I have moved on to monthly reports as the number of cases going to Appeal seems to be dropping. Barnet are still causing more than their fair share (of 4%) and losing more than the average 50%

Long may their win rate be so low.

All the following were circumstances in which the motorist had their PCN cancelled.

The Saracens Event Day zone. The council got a drubbing over writing that people should check the Internet before you drive to see if it is an event day. Signs weren't proven, the existence of the zone or it even being an Event Day so these are all good grounds on which to challenge. The council nearly always lose Saracens cases if they are put to proof. There were at least 10 cases in June but that is as to nothing compared to the number of PCN issued.

A motorcycle was moved. It is hard for a motorcyclist to stop this from happening unless the bike is chained to something but it does mean that there is a valid reason why the contravention did not occur.

Unloading to the third floor would easily lead to a PCN as the warden drops out of the sky (or so it seems) on a scooter, issues a PCN and then zooms away. As long as you have some documentary proof of your loading or unloading you are at least halfway to a cancellation.

The new Orange bays for permit holders in some North Finchley Car Parks have mostly led to cancellations on the grounds of the lack of clarity of the signs. At least 4 PCN were cancelled for this reason in June.

Cones in a suspended bay. They could easily be moved and are not a recognised way to delineate the suspended area.

Two cases of car cloning which ought to be obvious to the council before the tribunal stage.

If you breakdown and then get your car repaired you do not have to use a vat registered garage. The council's insistence on a vat invoice is misplaced. If you use a one man band, that is Ok as long as you have a bona fide invoice.

The council wrote that "they do no accommodate unusual or mitigating circumstances". How unusual something is is a matter of opinion but if it is relevant to your parking the council must consider it as also they must consider mitigation.

The traffic warden condoned the parking and then sent a parking ticket through the post. they can't.

The common error of paying for the wrong location usually leads to trouble. In this case both locations were in the East Finchley High Road and so the adjudicator allowed the Appeal and cancelled the PCN.

Keep those Appeals coming. I'll keep writing monthly reports with tips and hints.

Yours appealingly

Miss Feezance

PATAS - w/c 20 April - seeing orange, or not.

unhelpful

Here are the stats for the week:

	Barnet	London	%	Status
New Appeals	21	628	3	Below average
	Won	Out of	%
Cases heard	18	30	60	Above average

So numbers of new Appeals were down by a quarter but the success rate for motorists was the correct side of 50%.

There were 4 cases to tell you about:

-   A 1 minute observation period was found to be inadequate. This is often the case where the driver has to fetch a permit or driver from a nearby property & the person who is providing the same is slow, disabled, elderly etc. There is no absolute right to an observation period, it all depends upon the circumstances of the case. There is now, of course, an Eric Pickles inspired 10 minute grace period after paid for time.

-   A cloned vehicle should not lead to a PCN being pursued all the way to PATAS as often seems to be the case in Barnet. All the council are doing by delaying is hacking off the motorist and losing £40 in PATAS fees.

-   There are bays marked with orange lines in the Woodhouse Car Park (& others). Beware of them as they are a natural trap. One expects bays in car parks to be for people to pay to park in; the orange ones are for permit holders. In the rain one could easily miss the subtle distinction.

-   A driver who was trying to pay by phone reported that the traffic warden was unhelpful. Who would believe it? oh, the PATAS adjudicator. the PCN was cancelled as were the other 3 mentioned above.

Keep those Appeals coming.

Yours appealingly

Miss Feezance.