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Fact sheet: Single Justice Service

Updated 24 December 2024

Applies to England and Wales

© Crown copyright 2024

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hmcts-reform-crime-fact-sheets/fact-sheet-single-justice-service

The Single Justice Service (SJS) allows magistrates’ courts to deal with minor offences in a way that’s quicker, more straightforward and more efficient, while still being fair, transparent and rigorous. This process is known as the Single Justice Procedure (SJP).

A single magistrate, supported by a legal adviser, can decide adult, summary-only, non-imprisonable and victimless offences, including company prosecutions.

They can do this when the defendant has pleaded guilty or has not responded to notification that they’re being prosecuted.

The defendant always has the option to choose to attend a hearing in court in person.

Examples of cases covered by the SJP include:

  • using a television without a licence
  • failing to show a valid train ticket while travelling on a train service
  • driving without car insurance
  • exceeding a speed limit
  • failing to ensure a dependent child’s school attendance
  • excess vehicle load
  • lack of valid vehicle operator’s licence

1. Headline figures

Between 1 April 2019 and 30 September 2023, 3,102,392 criminal cases were received into the Single Justice Service, which includes 609,164 receipts through the reformed digital service.

2. Main outcomes

We’ve achieved several main outcomes so far, including:

  • An online plea option allows a defendant’s plea to be added to the case the same day it’s entered

  • pending court lists can be viewed online by the public - press and media contacts receive detailed lists daily, as well as results of all SJP cases sent weekly

  • Courts and Tribunals Service Centre staff handle enquiries from defendants about all SJS cases, and provide assisted digital support, ensuring consistency

  • outcomes are recorded digitally and are immediately available to prosecutors and other parties

3. How the Single Justice Service helps make the process clearer, less costly and more straightforward for service users

Previously, all parties in a minor offence case would be expected to attend in person at the magistrates’ court. This adds to the demands on the court and increases the stress and time commitment for the defendant, which could interfere with their employment.

The SJS means that minor cases - where the defendant pleads guilty - can be resolved without the need for a court hearing. (If the defendant pleads not guilty, the case will be heard in court.)

It’s possible for defendants to plead online, including details of any mitigating circumstances they’d like the court to consider. The plea can be added to the case the same day it’s entered. This reduces the length of time it takes for the case to be resolved.

Our new case management system, Common Platform, automates processes and significantly reduces the administrative tasks necessary on each case. The outcomes are recorded digitally and are immediately available to prosecutors and other parties immediately.

Sentencing decisions are made by independent magistrates who consider the facts of each case, including any mitigating circumstances.

Hearing cases in this way has many benefits, including:

  • saving time for all the participants
  • reserving court time for the cases that need to be heard there
  • making the whole process clearer, less costly and more straightforward for defendants who have been accused of minor offences

Defendants can always choose to opt for a court hearing.

4. Looking ahead

  • all police forces in England and Wales will go live with Common Platform for SJS cases
  • all remaining non-police prosecutors will be onboarded to Common Platform
  • all prosecutors will transition to the new online plea service as part of going live

5. Further information

Explaining the Single Justice Procedure in the magistrates’ court

Exploring misconceptions about the Single Justice Procedure

The data included on this page is drawn from either management information or Ministry of Justice (MOJ) official statistics. Management information reflects the data held on our case management system, and is subject to change. Official statistics are fully quality-assured and form the agreed definitive position.

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