Postal requisition (and summons)

A letter from the prosecutor charging you with an offence and requiring you to attend a magistrates' court on a stated date.

A postal requisition is a way of starting a prosecution without charging you at a police station. Under section 29 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, a public prosecutor, such as the police or the CPS, issues a written charge together with a requisition, which is posted to you. It sets out the offence or offences and tells you which magistrates' court to attend and when. It has the same effect as being charged. It is often used after a voluntary interview, after someone has been released under investigation, or for motoring offences. A summons is similar but is issued by a magistrates' court, for example in some private prosecutions. If you do not attend, the court may deal with the case in your absence or issue a warrant for your arrest. Legal aid may be available, and a duty solicitor may be able to help at the first hearing.

Checked as at 25 September 2026. General information only, not legal advice.