Toni Schiavone's refusal to pay a parking ticket issued in English has resulted in a loss against the parking company, One Parking Solution (OPS).

Appearing in court for the fourth time, Schiavone persisted in his stance, declining to pay the parking charge notice. He cited the expense of approximately £60 to translate the notice into Welsh, while OPS incurred over £14,000 in legal costs over three years to pursue the case.

Despite being denied the right to appeal, Schiavone was ordered to pay nearly £267, inclusive of interest and costs. However, he has stated his intention not to comply with the court's order.

During a bilingual hearing at Aberystwyth Justice Centre, District Judge Lowri Williams acknowledged Schiavone's genuine and ethical position, noting that OPS could have facilitated the process by translating the notice initially.

Schiavone expressed his willingness to settle the parking fine if it had been issued in Welsh or bilingually. However, the judge clarified that private companies are not legally obligated to provide notices in Welsh, as Welsh language legislation does not extend to the private sector.

A member of Cymdeithas yr Iaith, the Welsh Language Society, Schiavone voiced his disappointment but not surprise at the verdict. He emphasized his desire to receive services in Welsh and lamented the lack of respect for the Welsh language, especially in predominantly Welsh-speaking areas like Aberystwyth.

Highlighting the need for stronger legislation covering both public and private sectors, Schiavone questioned the necessity of defending his right to Welsh language services in Wales. He stressed the importance of linguistic rights, particularly in regions where Welsh is prevalent, advocating for comprehensive legislation to protect Welsh speakers' rights in all sectors. Photo by Aberystwyth Justice Centre by N Chadwick, Wikimedia commons.