The right to park can exist as an easement - a right which is attached to a piece of land and which allows the use of neighbouring land in a particular way. A landowner could thus be granted (or could acquire, through use over a period of time, this process being known as "prescription") the right to park on his neighbour's land. Though the law is by no means entirely clear, it seems likely that it is different for parking in a defined parking spot and parking somewhere in a larger area. The former can probably be granted as an easement, but not acquired by prescription; the latter can probably be acquired in either way.

On public roads, there is strictly speaking no right to park, but parking is generally tolerated provided that it does not cause danger or obstruct the road. Local authorities have powers to restrict parking on public roads.

Wheelclamping by private landowners is lawful, subject to certain conditions; but wheelclamping firms will be regulated by the Security Industry Authority, under the Private Security Industry Act 2001.

Parking - which is a fertile source of legal problems - is dealt with fully in chapter 4 of Private Roads: The Legal Framework (4th ed.).

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