Guide to a Court Summons

A court summons, for speeding, careless driving, drink driving offences etc., is issued in the Magistrates’ Court, although the case may be transferred to the Crown Court. More serious offences are dealt with by arrest and charge.

The summons is the formal issue of a prosecution in the Magistrates’ Court, normally follows on from a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) and will detail the following information:

•Name and Address
•The Informant’s name and contact information
•The Court Name and Address
•The offence you are alleged to have committed
•Time and Date of hearing to appear in Court

The summons will detail the summary facts. If you are alleged to have committed multiple offences you may find that you will receive more than one summons, though usually the various offences will be detailed on a single summons.

Once issued, the summons will be deemed served on you, usually by post. It is acceptable to be sent to your last known address, so if you have moved and not informed the DVLA you will not know about the summons and will miss your Court date. If this is the case the Magistrates have the power to convict you in your absence and in some cases issue a warrant for your arrest.

Do not ignore a Court Summons and do not even consider not turning up at Court. The Magistrates could issue a warrant for your arrest and you may find get a visit from the Police, as well as facing additional charges to the one you were already facing in the first place!

Tags: Court summons, NIP, speeding offence