Single Justice Procedure

A way of dealing with minor offences that cannot lead to prison: one magistrate decides the case on paper unless you ask for a hearing.

The Single Justice Procedure lets one magistrate, advised by a legal adviser, decide cases against adults charged with summary-only offences that cannot be punished with prison, such as speeding, driving without insurance, TV licence evasion and rail fare evasion. It is set out in section 16A of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980. You receive a Single Justice Procedure Notice and normally have 21 days to respond, online or by post. You can plead guilty and have the case dealt with on the papers, plead guilty but ask to attend court, or plead not guilty, in which case the case goes to a normal court hearing. If you do not respond, the magistrate can convict and sentence you in your absence. A conviction under this procedure is still a criminal conviction. If you did not know about the case, you may be able to make a statutory declaration to reopen it.

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