IAS appeal guide

What the IAS is

The Independent Appeals Service (IAS) handles appeals about parking charges issued by members of the International Parking Community (IPC). It describes itself as a certified Alternative Dispute Resolution entity and says it makes decisions "based on the lawfulness of a parking charge". You must appeal to the operator first.

Companies including Excel Parking, Vehicle Control Services, Smart Parking and G24 are listed IPC members (see our operator list, checked against the IPC's published list).

Deadlines

The IAS says: "A standard appeal is an appeal lodged within 28 days of the operator rejecting the appeal internally." Standard appeals are free.

Standard and non-standard appeals

That last row matters: with a standard appeal, losing at the IAS doesn't stop you defending yourself if the operator later goes to court.

How to appeal

1. Use the IAS appeal portal at theias.org with your parking charge number and vehicle registration.
2. Set out every ground clearly, with headings, and upload your evidence.
3. Keep the confirmation and watch for the operator's response.

While an appeal is with the IAS, the operator must not start or continue debt recovery (code clause 8.4.8).

Tips

• Focus on the law and the code: POFA timing and wording, the grace and consideration periods, signage, landowner authority.
• Make the operator prove its case: ask for dated photographs of the signs and the landowner contract.
• Keep mitigation separate and short. It may persuade, but it isn't a legal defence.