Can I ignore a private parking ticket in Northern Ireland?

The Consumer Council specifically warns that ignored private Parking Charge Notices can be passed to debt recovery agencies and may ultimately be pursued in the Small Claims Court. In Northern Ireland the registered keeper is not automatically liable in the same way as under Schedule 4 of the Protection of Freedoms Act in England and Wales, but the driver can still be liable.

A better first step is usually to decide whether the notice is valid and whether you have a proper appeal. Common issues include poor signage, ANPR errors, payment-machine problems, a registration-entry mistake, a breakdown, medical circumstances or evidence that the recipient was not the driver.

Do not confuse a private Parking Charge Notice with an official Penalty Charge Notice issued under statutory parking rules. The legal route and appeal process are different, even though both are often shortened to 'PCN'.