PSNI vs DfI — wrong enforcement body

In Northern Ireland the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) retains powers to issue Fixed Penalty Notices for criminal parking offences (obstruction, dangerous parking, parking on zigzag lines at school/pedestrian crossings). DfI handles decriminalised civil parking. A DfI PCN issued for what is properly a criminal offence (police-only) — or a PSNI FPN for a purely civil contravention — is issued by the wrong body and may be challenged.

Legal basis

Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989; Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 Arts 50, 138; Road Traffic Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1996; Traffic Management (Northern Ireland) Order 2005

How to identify this in your case

Check the issuer logo (DfI vs PSNI). Cross-check the alleged offence. PSNI on yellow lines (post-decrim) is wrong; DfI for school zigzags / obstruction is wrong.

Sample appeal wording

Dear Sir/Madam, Re: [PCN/FPN] [NUMBER] The alleged offence is [OFFENCE]. This is a [civil contravention enforced exclusively by DfI / criminal offence enforced exclusively by PSNI]. The notice has been issued by [WRONG BODY] which has no statutory jurisdiction. The notice is invalid and must be withdrawn. Yours faithfully, [NAME]

Replace [PARKING DATE], [NtK DATE] etc. with your own dates before sending.

Beat It writes this argument automatically

Scan your PCN — our AI checks if this ground applies to your specific ticket, drafts a properly-cited appeal letter, and submits it to the council on your behalf. Only pay if you win.

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Sources

legislation.gov.uk/nisi/1995/2994
legislation.gov.uk/nisi/1996/1320
legislation.gov.uk/nisi/2005/1964