Fixed Penalty Notice. Time limit?

Condatis

A Guard stopped me alleging that I had broken a red light.

I disputed his assessment of the situation and told him that I would go to court rather pay the Fixed Penalty and incur penalty points.

A Fixed Penalty notice was issued and subsequently a reminder. I ignored both because of my intention to defend.

I expected to receive a Summons to attend Court. It is now about two years and that has not happened.

I am wondering if there is a time within which a Summons must issue after the alleged incident. Failing that would it be unusual for a Summons to issue after two years?

Croc

They have to make a complaint to the Court (i.e. apply for a summons) within six months of the offence. Normally you could be looking at eight to twelve months after the offence before it gets to court.

I would say after two years you are safe, unless for some reason they have issued the summons and are having difficulty serving it, in that case they may reissue it.

Condatis

They would have had no difficulty serving a Summons.

I am surprised that they did not do so as the Guard was quite nasty and ill-tempered.

Perhaps the fact that I told him that I was prepared to go to Court put him off.

Jo King

Condatis wrote: »

They would have had no difficulty serving a Summons.

I am surprised that they did not do so as the Guard was quite nasty and ill-tempered.

Perhaps the fact that I told him that I was prepared to go to Court put him off.

The summons are generated automatically if the fixed charge is not paid.

Our man in Havana

Maybe if fell through the cracks. After 2 years I would think so.