Scotland: debt wiped out after 5 years
In Scotland, a parking charge or penalty charge notice (PCN) is completely wiped out — not just time-barred — if five years pass without the creditor taking formal court action or you admitting the debt or making a part-payment. This applies to private parking charges, council PCNs, and low-emission zone penalties. Unlike England (where the limit is six years and a debt can sometimes be revived), once the five-year period expires in Scotland the obligation is gone for good and cannot be brought back to life.
Legal basis
Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973 s.6 and Schedule 1; specifically Sch 1 para 1(g) (contract), 1(b) (unjust enrichment), 1(h) (statutory payment)
How to identify this in your case
More than 5 years have passed between the alleged contravention date and the most recent 'relevant claim' (formal court action) or 'relevant acknowledgement' (admission/part-payment) by the debtor.
Beat It is not using this argument right now
We do not put this argument in appeal letters: it depends on dates and court steps an appeal does not cover. Scan your ticket — the engine looks for every other ground that fits.
Scan my ticketSources
- legislation.gov.uk Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973 s.6 and Schedule 1
Related appeal grounds
- Aberdeen LEZ: Special Vehicle Local Exemption
- Advisory bay has no legal force behind it
- Airport Land Isn't "Relevant Land" — They Can't Pin the Driver's Charge on You as Keeper
- Appeal to an Independent Tribunal
- Bath Clean Air Zone discount not applied to your charge
- Beavis [2015] UKSC 67 — distinguish on the facts