Correspondence

For organisations we write to

If you have received a letter or email from Appeal Specialists, this page explains who we are, how to reply, and what we expect.

Who we are acting for

We act on the written authority of the client named in our correspondence. We can provide a copy of that authority on request. We are an independent consultancy, not a law firm, and we are not solicitors.

How to reply

  • Reply by email to legal@appealspecialists.co.uk, quoting our reference and yours.
  • Address each point raised in our correspondence, with the evidence you rely on.
  • Reply within the period stated in our letter, or within any period set by law, a code of practice or a pre-action protocol, whichever applies.

Court documents

We do not accept service of court documents. Please do not send claim forms or other court papers to us. Serve them on our client at their address for service.

What happens if you do not reply

Our letters set out the next step our client intends to take, such as an appeal to an independent appeal service or tribunal, an application for a review, a complaint to an ombudsman, or a county court claim brought by our client. We only state steps our client has authorised and intends to take.

Parking operators and councils

  • We review private parking charges against the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, Schedule 4, and the Private Parking Sector Single Code of Practice. Keeper liability only arises where the statutory conditions are met.
  • We review council penalty charge notices against the Traffic Management Act 2004 and the regulations made under it.
  • Where an appeal is rejected, we refer it to POPLA, the IAS, the Traffic Penalty Tribunal or London Tribunals as appropriate.
  • Where we believe a code of practice has not been followed, we may raise it with the relevant trade association, with our client's agreement.

Customers who owe money

  • If you have received a letter before claim from us on behalf of a business, please reply within the time it gives.
  • Payment should be made directly to the business, not to us. We never receive payments.
  • If you dispute the amount, tell us why and send any evidence.
  • If you are struggling to pay, you can get free, confidential debt advice from StepChange, National Debtline or Citizens Advice. Tell us if you are doing so and we will allow reasonable time.

Personal data

We use personal data in our correspondence only for the dispute it relates to. Our privacy notice explains how we handle it and your rights. If you have a concern about how we have conducted a matter, see our complaints procedure.

Our status

Appeal Specialists is an independent consultancy, not a law firm. We are not solicitors or barristers and we are not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or any other legal regulator, so you cannot complain about us to the Legal Ombudsman.

We provide non-reserved legal services only. We do not conduct litigation, file or serve court documents, or accept service of court documents for you. Where the law allows, we can speak for you at a small-claims hearing or a tribunal, but only with your agreement and, at small-claims hearings, only if you attend.

What you tell us is not protected by legal professional privilege. We never hold your money. We work on matters in England and Wales only. We do not guarantee any outcome.