Single justice procedure notices

If an individual or company has been charged with a minor criminal offence, the case may be decided by a magistrate without going to court. This is known as the ‘single justice procedure’.

If this applies to you, you’ll get a single justice procedure notice when you’re charged. You have 21 days from the date shown on the notice to respond.

A magistrate will make a decision on your case without your say if you do not respond to your notice within 21 days. You could be found guilty or fined.

There are different rules about cases that go to court in Scotland and cases that go to court in Northern Ireland.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

How to respond to your notice

Your notice will tell you who has brought the case against you (for example, the police or TV Licensing), how to make a plea, and if you can make a plea online.

When you respond you will need to say whether you plead guilty or not guilty.

Plead guilty

If you respond and plead guilty your fine will be reduced by up to 33%.

You can choose if you want to go to court or not.

If you do not go to court, the magistrate will make a decision based on the information they have. You’ll get a letter with the magistrate’s decision.

You can go to court if you want to give information to the magistrates in person. You’ll get a letter telling you when to go to court.

You can give information to the magistrate about your circumstances - this is called ‘mitigation’. Depending on your circumstances, you might get a reduced fine or sentence. 

Plead not guilty

You have to go to court and give information to the magistrates in person. You’ll get a letter telling you when to go to court.

If you do not respond to the single justice procedure notice

If you do not respond to the notice within 21 days, the magistrate will make a decision about your case without your say.

This could mean that if you are found guilty and sentenced, there will be no reduced sentence for a guilty plea. Your fine or penalty points may also be higher. Money may be taken from your pay or benefits.

You can ask to have your case reopened if you did not know about it. You usually need to do this within 21 days of finding out about your case.

If you need help or advice

Advicenow has detailed guidance on how to deal with a single justice procedure notice.

You can also get legal advice.

If you need help responding to your notice online

Your notice will tell you if you can make a plea online and how.

If you need more help, who you contact depends on what you need.

If you’re having technical issues or need guidance about how to respond

Courts and Tribunals Service Centre
Telephone: 0300 303 0656
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
Find out about call charges

If you do not have access to the internet or do not feel confident using it

We Are Group
[email protected]
Telephone: 03300 160051
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Closed on bank holidays
Text FORM to 60777 and someone will call you back
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Get case information

You can call the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre to get information about a case including case results.

You’ll need your case reference number - this is on your single justice procedure notice.

If you’re from the media, you can get case information and ask for a list of results to be sent to you. You’ll need your UK press card details.

Courts and Tribunals Service Centre
Telephone: 0300 303 0656
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
Find out about call charges