The UK's National Parking Adjudication Service heard arguments today in a legal challenge that could invalidate every parking ticket issued in the country over the past fourteen years. Robin de Crittenden, 67, argued that the £30 (US $51) "civil" parking ticket he received in 2003 violates the 1689 Bill of Rights which ensures no punishments can be imposed without a fair trial.

"That all grants and promises of fines and forfeitures of particular persons before conviction are illegal and void," the 1689 Bill of Rights states. De Crittenden contends that under British law, an ordinary statute like the Road Traffic Act of 1991 which decriminalized parking tickets cannot overrule the Bill of Rights without an explicit statement of parliament.

"The special status of constitutional statutes follows the special status of constitutional rights," reads a high court decision from 2002. "Examples are the Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights 1689... Ordinary statutes may be impliedly repealed. Constitutional statutes may not."

"There are fundamental historic rights guaranteed to the people," said Freedom Association Campaign Manager Mark Wallace, "and this case will attempt to re-assert those freedoms promised under the Bill of Rights. Fining people without the due process required is simply illegal."

"The purpose of this challenge is to put the politicians back in their kennels by requiring them to obey the law that regulates parliament itself," de Crittenden said. The National Parking Adjudication Service receives a 60p fee for every parking ticket issued in the country.