Traffic Penalty Tribunal

Service Charter

The way in which the Traffic Penalty Tribunal handles a case is laid down in Acts of Parliament or other Regulations.

If an appellant telephones

An appellant can telephone the Tribunal between 9.00am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. If the Tribunal receive a call, they will:

  • answer the telephone promptly
  • tell the caller who they are speaking with
  • give the caller a clear and helpful answer to their query.

The Tribunal aims to answer at least 90% of all telephone calls within 15 seconds.

If a person writes

If someone emails or writes to the Tribunal on matters not related to an appeal, the Tribunal will:

  • respond to the inquiry within 20 working days
  • tell the correspondent who is replying and how to contact that person.

If an appellant asks for a personal or telephone hearing

If an appellant asks for a personal or telephone hearing, the Tribunal will send confirmation that they have received the appeal.

Appealing to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal is a judicial process and, as such, it is not appropriate to set out specific timescales for deciding appeals. However, as a guideline, the Tribunal aim to offer a hearing date within 12 weeks.

The Tribunal aim to issue at least 95% of all confirmation letters within 2 working days.

When the Tribunal has arranged the hearing, they will send correspondence, which will include:

  • notification of the date and time of the hearing
  • a map showing the location of the hearing centre (for personal hearings)
  • contact details of the person arranging the appeal.

If an appellant requests a personal hearing, the Adjudicator will decide the venue, taking the request of venue into account. For further information see: Hearings

Out of respect to the Tribunal and other appellants, the Tribunal would like to know as soon as possible if an appellant is unable to attend the hearing.

When an appellant arrives for a personal hearing

The Tribunal aims to hear all personal appeals within 15 minutes of their scheduled start time. The Tribunal will tell an when appellant they arrive if hearings are running late. When an appellant arrives for a personal hearing, they will find:

  • clear signs to help them find their way to the hearing room
  • a Hearing Supervisor, wearing a name badge, to meet and assist them if necessary
  • a comfortable waiting area close to the hearing room
  • access and assistance for people with disabilities. (Advance notice of special access needs is appreciated).

If an appellant has opted for a telephone hearing, the Tribunal will contact them at the date and times notified and link them in to the telephone hearing.

During a personal or telephone hearing

In common with most legal proceedings, members of the public are entitled to witness appeal hearings. Hearings may also be recorded by the Adjudicator for the Adjudicator's own reference. The Adjudicator is responsible for ensuring that the hearing is conducted properly.

At the hearing, an appellant can expect that

  • the Adjudicator will introduce themselves and explain how the hearing will proceed
  • the appellant will be given the opportunity to explain their case to the Adjudicator
  • the Adjudicator will normally advise the appellant of their decision at the end of the hearing. (In a few cases this will not be possible, in which case the Adjudicator will explain why, and when the appellant may expect to receive the decision.)
  • the Adjudicator will explain clearly the reason for their decision.

After the hearing

Although the Adjudicator will normally give a decision on the day, the decision - and the Adjudicator's reasons - will always be confirmed afterwards in writing.

The Tribunal aims to send a written copy of the Adjudicator's decision and reasons within 10 working days of a hearing.

If an appellant asks for a postal decision

An appellant who applies for a postal decision will be sent a confirmation that the appeal has been received. This letter will include:

  • the date by which the appellant is recommended to submit any further evidence.
  • the name and phone number of the person arranging the appeal.

The Tribunal aim to issue at least 95% of all confirmation letters within 2 working days. They aim to decide postal appeals within 7 weeks of receiving the appeal.

After the decision

The Tribunal aims to send a written copy of the Adjudicator's decision and reasons within 10 working days of the decision being made.

Comments and complaints

The Tribunal like to have any views on their service. If an appellant has a complaint, a member of the Tribunal staff will try to sort out the problem there and then. If the appellant is still not satisfied, they can ask to speak with the Tribunal Manager.

Alternatively, they can write to the Tribunal Manager, who will ensure that the inquiry receives a prompt reply.

Please note: Adjudicators are impartial and independent. Traffic Penalty Tribunal staff cannot look into claims that:

  • the Adjudicator's decision was unfair or wrong
  • the Adjudicator did not handle the appeal properly.

Also, Adjudicators do not usually answer letters about cases they have decided.

Comments and complaints about an Adjudicator or how a hearing has been handled should be addressed to the Chief Adjudicator.

Please note also that the Tribunal cannot look into complaints about other organisations, such as local authorities or enforcement contractors.

The Tribunal cannot offer legal advice or tell appellants what to say in their appeal. Nor can they say if a case is likely to succeed or what an Adjudicator will decide.