A senior barrister has successfully overturned an £85 parking fine issued by ParkingEye after he took a nap at a motorway services car park, with the company ordered to pay £1,555 in costs. Nicholas Bowen, a Queen's Counsel, overstayed the two-hour free limit at Welcome Break's Membury services on the M4, leading to the penalty.
ParkingEye pursued Bowen through the county court, unaware of his legal expertise. However, the case was struck out on 18 August when the company failed to attend the hearing. Despite initially claiming it had sent a representative, ParkingEye later issued a cheque for the costs, albeit with Bowen's name misspelled as 'Nickalas'.
Bowen argued that the firm had no right to charge for overnight parking in a nearly empty car park, citing tiny print warnings and violations of consumer protection law. He shared his victory on Twitter, urging other motorists to challenge similar fines.
The case has sparked widespread media attention and complaints from drivers alleging unfair treatment by private parking companies. The RAC and AA support a private member's bill introduced by Sir Greg Knight MP, which aims to introduce a legally binding code of practice to regulate the industry. Research shows 73% of drivers favour government regulation.
