No summons received, just got statement of fine and penalty!

[ewokracing]

So earlier this year I avoided a car and went through a red light in order to avoid getting rear ended and hitting a car in front.

I opposed paying the fine and after lots of letters etc, elected to go to court.

I received a Court Request letter in May this year, saying I would later receive a summons.

The summons never arrived and I have just found a letter in my mailbox saying that I didn't turn up to court last week and here's a fine to pay.


Now, obviously I'm fuming because I wanted my day in court to explain the circumstances and also to point out that the red light in question has the incorrect timing.

Can I get in touch with the Magistrates's Court to explain how I never received the summons or am I wasting my time?

thanks.

[Hardy]

You need to attend a magistrates court and complete the application for a re-hearing. Then serve that paperwork on the police, then attend the court for the re-hearing application, then you will get back into the contested hearing list.

[ewokracing]

Thanks Hardy. I'll be going in tomorrow.

[Hardy]

The alternative is to attend the magistrates court and sign an appeal against conviction to the County Court. That will get you a re-hearing before a judge which can sometimes be better than getting dragged through the magistrates court system and ending up in front of a JR.

[Smiling Assassin]

Agreed Hardy - however, if you lose before the JR then you can appeal that decision and have it heard before a real Magistrate! Then if you lose in front of that magistrate, appeal to County Court. Depends how many bites at the apple you want!