The bailiff refuses to give the Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) number.

Before bailiffs can take control of goods, they must give the debtor a notice,^[1] which must contain sufficient details of the debt to enable the debtor to identify the debt correctly.^[2]

Bailiffs might refuse to give the Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) number because the debtor needs it to apply to the court to suspend the enforcement power,^[3] which causes the enforcement power to cease to be exercisable,^[4] which cancels the bailiffs fees,^[5] and the bailiff loses his commission.^[6]

Recording the call with an app, telephone the bailiff on his mobile and ask for the PCN number. If he refuses, then ask for the name of the council or authority that issued the warrant.

The details of the council or authority is mandatory information to be given on the Notice of Enforcement,^[7] you can contact the council or authority giving your vehicle registration and ask for the Penalty Charge Notice number.

When you have the Penalty Charge Notice number, you can apply to the court to appeal the traffic contravention.^[8]

^{[1] Paragraph 7.1 of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
[2] Regulation 7(e)(i) of the The Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[3] Civil Procedure Rule 75.8(b)
[4] Paragraph 6(3)(c) of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
[5] Regulation 17(1) of the The Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014
[6] See: How much do bailiffs earn
[7] Regulation 7(d) of the The Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[8] See: How to appeal a traffic contravention debt or penalty after bailiffs}