What is a Single Justice Procedure Notice?

The Single Justice Notice Procedure is a relatively new procedure by which the police can start a prosecution but only for offences which do not carry the risk of a sentence of imprisonment such as speeding, driving without due care and attention, using a mobile phone whilst driving and so on. The police send a Notice to the accused which usually includes a statement of the offence charged, the evidence, in the form of witness statements, and the plea options open to the accused.

Why would the police issue a Single Justice Procedure Notice?

This procedure is intended to save the time and money otherwise spent in convening full court hearings for relatively minor matters which could have been dealt with administratively. A single Justice sits alone with a qualified legal adviser (not in open court) and deals with the Notices which have been issued.

I have received a Single Justice Procedure Notice. What should I do?

You have 21 days to respond to the Notice online or by post. You can plead ‘Not Guilty’ in which case you will receive notification in due course of when your case will be listed for a contested hearing in open court. Or, you may indicate a ‘Guilty’ plea and either opt to attend court for sentencing or ask to be sentenced without the need to attend court. Most cases are dealt with without the need for the accused to attend court.

I am not sure how to complete the Notice. What should I do?

If you do not return the completed Notice within the deadline you may be convicted and sentenced in your absence. There are explanatory notes sent with the Notice. Read them carefully. If you are still not sure how to plead or complete the form you should obtain legal advice without delay.

I wish to take the option of pleading ‘Guilty’ and being sentenced in absence. Is there any risk I will be required to attend court?

You will be required to attend court if the view is taken that a driving disqualification should be considered in your case. For example, if you were exceeding a speed limit by what is considered to be an excessive margin or if your admission to the offence means that you have become liable to receive a penalty points or ‘totting’ disqualification (this will apply if you already had current penalty points on your licence and the total will now reach 12 or more for offences committed within 3 years of each other).

I wish to admit the offence but know that I can expect to be required to attend court for consideration of a disqualification. What should I do?

With the types of offences dealt with under this procedure, the courts may have a discretion as to whether to disqualify or, if they are going to, for how long. If you wish to keep the length of your ban to a minimum or even avoid a ban altogether you should consider very carefully how to proceed. One option that you can take is to indicate that you will plead ‘Guilty’ in court and NOT complete the ‘mitigation’ section at this stage. Unless you wish to attend court without legal representation this gives you time to obtain legal advice so that your mitigation can be prepared carefully in advance and presented to the court persuasively. You may find that this course offers you the best chance of avoiding a disqualification.

If you need advice on completion of a notice or if you believe you at risk of a disqualification please feel free to contact me:

• [email protected]
• 07988 310115
• https://kenttrafficlaw.co.uk/contact-us/

Sunil Rupasinha

Motor Offence Barrister