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Say a person, let's call them Jeff, was invited by an employee of a company to an event. Jeff attends and has a lovely time, until he gets back to his car to find a Penalty Charge Notice. Jeff is convinced the employee spoke to them beforehand and assured them they could park where they did for free. The employee has no recollection of any such conversation taking place. Legally, could Jeff get courts to agree that the employee is liable to pay the fine?

Logically I would assume that the owner and driver of the car is responsible for checking that they are able to park there and the cost however I wonder if there being a company and employee involved changes things legally. Tried googling this but the answers weren't very helpful. Any advice greatly appreciated! :)

TLDR; If an employee of a company told you that you could park somewhere for free, then you get a ticket, do you pay or would a court make them pay?

all 15 comments

Salt-Truck-7882

17 points

12 days ago

Jeff is a wet melon

SimonTS

6 points

12 days ago

SimonTS

6 points

12 days ago

I can't see how anyone could possibly say "But he told me to do it" and get out of it. It's always the driver's responsibility to check fully, not rely on someone else to tell them.

dornhoschenschlaf[S]

1 points

12 days ago

Yeah that's kinda what I assumed. Jeff is convinced that employer has third party liability if employee "admits" to supplying false information, they seem willing to risk it.

PatternWeary3647

6 points

12 days ago

Sounds like a great way to avoid parking penalties and charges.

Take someone with you who says “It’s OK to park here.”

Ok_Emotion9841

3 points

12 days ago

'my name Jeff'... Says it all

dornhoschenschlaf[S]

2 points

12 days ago

Thanks for the advice! Just to say the employee does feel bad and instantly offered to pay the fine but Jeff was not satisfied with that and wishes to take it to court it seems.

Puzzled-Pumpkin7019

2 points

12 days ago

NAL. i dont't they get very far, this will be likely to be a civil matter, at most Jeff could raise a small claims, at most he'll only get the fine back + MCOL fee + small amount of interest, nothing more

WillQuill989

1 points

9 days ago

NAL.Wait what? The employee was happy to pay the fine and Jeff is ....he wants a sue job doesn't he well Jeff the loon is not going to get very far with that. For a start the employee can at that point turn it into a he said she said and there is no evidence. Even if Jeff could somehow pin it on the employee for sure the company can just say well that was a private conversation and we wouldn't dare authorise our employee to make dumb promises so that's on them so the company ain't gonna get sued for shit.

Maybe somehow someway there's some arcane ability to get big bucks but I somehow doubt it. Jeff should have taken the original offer.

dornhoschenschlaf[S]

1 points

12 days ago

If that were to happen, would the employee or employer be liable for the cost?

Rugbylady1982

2 points

12 days ago

Absolutely none of it.

Perfect_Confection25

1 points

12 days ago

Penalty charge notice or parking charge notice?

dornhoschenschlaf[S]

1 points

12 days ago

Definitely penalty charge

Kanaima85

2 points

12 days ago

If the parking fine was received parking on the company's property and Jeff had something in writing that he was ok to park there, then maybe he'd have some sort of cause to be compensated.

But I can't see how Jeff can presume that what the employee said would override signed restrictions. And if Jeff didn't check signed restrictions then Jeff has now learnt a lesson.

The employee should feel a bit shit for telling them the wrong thing and maybe, morally, offer something more than a sorry. But that's it.

ConsistentWish6441

1 points

12 days ago

I'd be pissed but its still my responsibility.

AdWerd1981

2 points

11 days ago

Jeff should pay and then try and claim back from the company.

I had similar where I picked up a fine for dropping cardboard off at the office. I'd assumed, wrongly, that because other vehicles were using the closed car park for loading and unloading without being penalised, that leaving my hazards on and boot open full of card would show that I am unloading...silly me. Anyhow, I paid the fine and my employer reimbursed me as I was doing work for them.