05-18-2026, 05:15 PM
@L Bow , the NtK appears to be a non-PoFA notice. I do not see any express reliance on PoFA Schedule 4, nor does it contain the mandatory PoFA keeper-liability warning. Instead, it repeatedly frames liability as being against “the driver”. It says the driver is bound by the terms and is liable if the terms are breached. It then asks the recipient to identify the keeper/driver if they were not the keeper/driver. That is not PoFA keeper-liability wording.
It also does not specify a “period of parking”. It gives an ANPR entry time of 10:22:29 and exit time of 11:15:12, and separately states a “Date and Time of Breach” of 11:15. That is not the same as specifying the "period of parking" required by PoFA paragraph 9(2)(a). ANPR entry/exit images show movement past cameras, not the actual period parked.
The timing point also remains important. Event: 6 April 2026. Issue date: 17 April 2026. Deemed delivery would be 21 April 2026, which is day 15. For a postal ANPR NtK with no windscreen notice, that is outside the relevant PoFA period.
So the position is:
If the driver has not been identified in the Horizon appeal, then the keeper has a strong POPLA point: Horizon cannot transfer liability from the unknown driver to the registered keeper.
The only caveat remains the appeal wording. If Horizon can show that you identified yourself as the driver in the appeal, the PoFA point becomes largely academic. If they cannot, this should be the lead POPLA ground.
The initial appeal rejection by Horizon was entirely expected. These initial appeals are almost always rejected regardless of merit, so do not treat that as meaning Horizon have a strong case. There is no money in it for them to accept appeals.
Also, this PCN is not really “for £60”. It is a speculative invoice for £100, with a 40% “mugs discount” dangled to pressure people into paying before they have properly challenged it. The £60 is just the discounted bribe to make the problem go away.
You now have the opportunity to submit a proper POPLA appeal. That appeal will put Horizon to strict proof of the signage, the terms in force on 6 April 2026, the location and wording of any signs near the EV chargers, the alleged requirement for EV charging users to register inside Premier Inn, and Horizon’s authority to operate and issue charges at that site.
If the driver has not been identified to Horizon, that is likely to be the lead POPLA point. For now, we will work on the assumption that the driver is not definitively identified.
Be aware that POPLA is a lottery. Some assessors are sensible; others can be utter idiots and will simply accept whatever the operator says. But an adverse POPLA decision is not binding on you. It only binds Horizon if you win.
If POPLA gets it wrong, the next realistic stage would be defending any eventual small claim. Horizon are very beatable in court, especially on non-PoFA keeper liability and poor signage/EV charging ambiguity. In the Horizon cases I have dealt with, they usually use DCB Legal, and where a proper defence is filed, DCB Legal are overwhelmingly likely to discontinue before any final hearing.
I will get back to you with a POPLA appeal you can use. You have 33 days for the date of the initial appeal rejection to submit your POPLA appeal. (28 days plus 5 days for service).
It also does not specify a “period of parking”. It gives an ANPR entry time of 10:22:29 and exit time of 11:15:12, and separately states a “Date and Time of Breach” of 11:15. That is not the same as specifying the "period of parking" required by PoFA paragraph 9(2)(a). ANPR entry/exit images show movement past cameras, not the actual period parked.
The timing point also remains important. Event: 6 April 2026. Issue date: 17 April 2026. Deemed delivery would be 21 April 2026, which is day 15. For a postal ANPR NtK with no windscreen notice, that is outside the relevant PoFA period.
So the position is:
- Horizon have not issued a PoFA-compliant NtK.
- They do not appear to be attempting PoFA keeper liability.
- The notice does not specify a period of parking.
If the driver has not been identified in the Horizon appeal, then the keeper has a strong POPLA point: Horizon cannot transfer liability from the unknown driver to the registered keeper.
The only caveat remains the appeal wording. If Horizon can show that you identified yourself as the driver in the appeal, the PoFA point becomes largely academic. If they cannot, this should be the lead POPLA ground.
The initial appeal rejection by Horizon was entirely expected. These initial appeals are almost always rejected regardless of merit, so do not treat that as meaning Horizon have a strong case. There is no money in it for them to accept appeals.
Also, this PCN is not really “for £60”. It is a speculative invoice for £100, with a 40% “mugs discount” dangled to pressure people into paying before they have properly challenged it. The £60 is just the discounted bribe to make the problem go away.
You now have the opportunity to submit a proper POPLA appeal. That appeal will put Horizon to strict proof of the signage, the terms in force on 6 April 2026, the location and wording of any signs near the EV chargers, the alleged requirement for EV charging users to register inside Premier Inn, and Horizon’s authority to operate and issue charges at that site.
If the driver has not been identified to Horizon, that is likely to be the lead POPLA point. For now, we will work on the assumption that the driver is not definitively identified.
Be aware that POPLA is a lottery. Some assessors are sensible; others can be utter idiots and will simply accept whatever the operator says. But an adverse POPLA decision is not binding on you. It only binds Horizon if you win.
If POPLA gets it wrong, the next realistic stage would be defending any eventual small claim. Horizon are very beatable in court, especially on non-PoFA keeper liability and poor signage/EV charging ambiguity. In the Horizon cases I have dealt with, they usually use DCB Legal, and where a proper defence is filed, DCB Legal are overwhelmingly likely to discontinue before any final hearing.
I will get back to you with a POPLA appeal you can use. You have 33 days for the date of the initial appeal rejection to submit your POPLA appeal. (28 days plus 5 days for service).
Never argue with stupid people. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience. - Mark Twain
