Yellow Box: Council Lacks Proper Video Proof
The council has to prove the contravention, and what happened as your car entered the box is central to whether one occurred. In one London decision (Place Invaders Ltd v Transport for London, 2004) the adjudicator allowed the appeal because the council's video began when the car was already stopped in the box and did not show it entering. If the council's footage does not show your car going into the box, you can argue that its evidence does not prove the contravention. That decision supports the point but does not bind other adjudicators, and a council may have other evidence.
Legal basis
Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, Schedule 9, Part 7, paragraph 11(1): a person must not cause a vehicle to enter the box junction so that the vehicle has to stop within the box junction due to the presence of stationary vehicles. Place Invaders Ltd v Transport for London (London adjudicator, case MV0001GT01, 22 September 2004): the adjudicator took the view that the video needed to show the vehicle entering the box, as the start of the events that would or would not amount to a contravention, and, the burden being on Transport for London to prove the contravention, allowed the appeal. Persuasive only (a first-tier decision); decided under the box junction regulations then in force, whose prohibition was materially the same.
How to identify this in your case
Ask the council for all the video it relies on and watch it from the start. Check whether it shows your car entering the box. If it only begins once your car is already stopped inside, the entry is not shown.
Sample appeal wording
Sample wording to adapt and send yourself — it may not fit your notice or the stage you are at. Replace the bracketed prompts with your own details; leave any case citation as it is.
Dear Representations Team, Re: PCN [NUMBER] — Vehicle [REG] I contest the above Penalty Charge Notice for an alleged box junction contravention. The prohibition is on causing a vehicle to enter the box junction so that it has to stop within it due to the presence of stationary vehicles (Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, Schedule 9, Part 7, paragraph 11(1)). The burden of proving it is on the authority, and what happened as the vehicle entered the box is central to whether a contravention occurred. I ask the authority to provide the full footage it relies on, starting before my vehicle entered the box. If its evidence does not show my vehicle entering the box, I submit that it does not prove the contravention. In Place Invaders Ltd v Transport for London (2004) an adjudicator allowed an appeal on that basis. Yours faithfully, [NAME]
Beat It writes this argument automatically
Scan your PCN — our AI checks if this ground applies to your specific ticket and drafts an appeal letter. You check it and tap send: we send it in your name where the council takes email, or through the council’s own website where we can; otherwise we guide you through their own online form so you press submit, or give you a letter to post. The win fee is only charged if you win.
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