Received a Notice of Rejection?
This means your formal representations were rejected. You normally have 28 days from service to pay or appeal to an independent adjudicator — London Tribunals for London cases, or the Traffic Penalty Tribunal for many cases outside London. If no payment or appeal is made, a Charge Certificate may follow.
Not a law firm. General information, not legal advice — check your own notice for the dates and appeal body that actually apply to you.
Notice identified
Notice of Rejection
Current stage
Independent appeal stage
Response period
28 days
Available route
Pay or tribunal appeal
Next possible stage if ignored
Charge Certificate
Example stage summary — your actual notice determines your real dates and appeal body.
Notice of Rejection appeal period
The normal appeal period is 28 days from service of the Notice of Rejection. Your exact deadline depends on your actual document.
Your representations weren't accepted — here's the route from here.
You made formal representations against the PCN, and the authority didn't accept them. That doesn't end the case — it moves it to an independent tribunal appeal stage if you want to continue, which is a different route from simply writing to the council again.
Your formal representations were considered and rejected
The authority reviewed your case and didn't accept the grounds you raised.
An independent adjudicator is now available
A tribunal appeal is reviewed independently of the authority that issued the PCN.
The 28-day period matters
In most cases, the appeal is due within 28 days of the Notice of Rejection.
A Notice of Rejection is a later stage, not the start.
The exact route varies by case, so treat this as a general shape of the process rather than a prediction of what happens in yours.
Not sure how you got here? Notice to Owner explains the earlier stage.
Should I pay or appeal?
Both are genuine options at this stage — which one makes sense depends on your case.
Pay
Paying the amount shown on your Notice of Rejection ends the case. Follow the payment instructions and deadline on your own notice — the amount and dates vary by authority.
Appeal to an independent tribunal
Your case is considered independently of the authority that issued the PCN. An appeal isn't guaranteed to succeed — the adjudicator decides based on the evidence and grounds you put forward.
Check whether your case is at the appeal stageA tribunal appeal document is priced from £9.99 once your stage and grounds are confirmed — checking your notice itself is always free.
The right tribunal depends on where the PCN was issued.
This is a general split, not a complete list of every notice type — your own Notice of Rejection should identify the correct appeal body and normally includes a reference code for your case.
London PCNs
Generally appeal to London Tribunals.
Many England/Wales PCNs outside London
Generally appeal to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal.
What if I miss the 28-day deadline?
A late appeal may sometimes still be considered, but you'd normally need to explain the reason for the delay, and it's the adjudicator's decision whether to accept it — this isn't guaranteed. Acting within the 28 days is always the safer position.
Check where I standAlready past the Notice of Rejection stage?
If nothing was paid or appealed in time, the case may already have moved to a Charge Certificate.
Read the Charge Certificate guideIgnoring it can move the case to a Charge Certificate.
If neither payment nor a tribunal appeal is made in time, the next stage is typically a Charge Certificate, and the penalty can increase by 50%.
Check where I standAlready have a Charge Certificate or an Order for Recovery? Charge Certificate guide · Order for Recovery guide.
Notice of Rejection FAQs
What is a Notice of Rejection?
A Notice of Rejection is issued when the authority doesn't accept the formal representations you made against a PCN. It's the point where the case can move to an independent tribunal appeal, rather than another round of correspondence with the council.
How long do I have to appeal?
In most cases you have 28 days from service of the Notice of Rejection to appeal to an independent adjudicator. The exact date is printed on your own notice — check that rather than relying on a general rule.
Can I appeal after a Notice of Rejection?
Yes — this is specifically the stage where an independent tribunal appeal becomes available, having first made formal representations that were rejected.
Where do I submit my appeal?
It depends on where the PCN was issued. London PCNs generally go to London Tribunals; many PCNs issued in England and Wales outside London generally go to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. Your Notice of Rejection should identify the correct body and normally includes a form and reference code for your case.
Is the tribunal independent from the council?
Yes. The adjudicator considers the appeal independently of the authority that issued the PCN — it isn't the same body reviewing its own decision again.
What evidence should I send?
Whatever supports the specific ground you're appealing on — photos, correspondence, signage evidence, or anything else relevant to your case. What's actually needed depends on your grounds and notice, not a fixed checklist.
What if I miss the 28-day deadline?
A late appeal may sometimes still be considered, but you'd normally need to explain the reason for the delay, and it's the adjudicator's decision whether to accept it. Acting within the 28 days is always the safer position.
What happens if I do nothing?
If neither payment nor an appeal is made within the appeal period, the authority can typically issue a Charge Certificate, which increases the penalty by 50%.
Can the council issue a Charge Certificate?
Yes — if the Notice of Rejection isn't resolved by payment or a tribunal appeal within the response period, a Charge Certificate is the next stage the authority can move to.
What happens if my tribunal appeal succeeds?
If the adjudicator allows the appeal, the PCN is typically cancelled. If it's refused, the case can move on to payment or, if unresolved, further enforcement stages.
Official sources used for this guide
Reviewed against official procedural guidance. Rules can change — this page is reviewed periodically, not on every change.
Last reviewed: August 2026
OverturnFine is an independent document-preparation service. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, and it is not affiliated with any council, TfL, tribunal, or UK government body.
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