Formal, accurate, on time
An independent consultancy that puts disputes in writing properly, so they are answered properly.
Who we are
Appeal Specialists is an independent consultancy based in West Sussex and working across England and Wales. We act mainly for the businesses and individuals we are associated with, and we take on matters for members of the public from time to time.
Most of our work comes from a simple problem. A tradesperson or a small business writing in its own name is often ignored by parking operators, councils, large retailers and customers who owe money. A formal letter that cites the right rule, sets out the facts against it, states what is required and gives a deadline is much harder to ignore. That is what we write.
How we work
- We start from the rule. Every appeal, complaint or demand names the statute, regulation, code of practice or contract term it relies on, down to the paragraph.
- We use the proper process. Each area has a set route: an appeal service, a tribunal, a commissioner, an ombudsman, or the court's pre-action rules. We follow it, because that is what gives a letter weight.
- We say only what is true. Every next step we mention is one our client can and will take. We do not bluff and we do not threaten.
- We keep to the deadlines. Missed time limits lose more cases than weak arguments. We diarise every one.
The rules we work with most
| Area | Main rules |
|---|---|
| Private parking | Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, Schedule 4; the Private Parking Sector Single Code of Practice; ParkingEye Ltd v Beavis [2015] UKSC 67 |
| Council penalties | Traffic Management Act 2004; the Civil Enforcement of Road Traffic Contraventions (Representations and Appeals) (England) Regulations 2022, and the Welsh equivalents |
| Police complaints | Police Reform Act 2002, Part 2 and Schedule 3; the Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2020 |
| Information rights | UK GDPR; Data Protection Act 2018 |
| Consumer disputes | Consumer Rights Act 2015; Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 |
| Unpaid invoices | Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998; Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims; Civil Procedure Rules |
We are not solicitors. We tell you when you need one.
We are not barristers either, and we are not a law firm or regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or any other legal regulator. We only provide services that the law allows anyone to provide. We do not run court cases, attend police interviews, or take on matters that are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority or the Immigration Advice Authority.
When a matter needs a solicitor, we say so early and explain where to find one. You can search for a solicitor on the Law Society's website.
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.
All correspondence by email
We deal with everything in writing, so every point and every deadline is on the record. If you are replying to a letter from us, please quote our reference.