SJPN advice

[asc77123]

Hello everyone, I hope you are having a good bank holiday weekend (certainly better than mine).

On the 25th of November, I travelled from Chatham to City Thameslink (via St Pancras). When I was at the gates, they asked to see my railcard. I presented a railcard, however, it had been out of date since 27th of February 2025. I was unaware it was expired as I have been using that card for a while and every ticket inspector was fine with it. Now, it is still my fault and no-one is to blame but myself, but it was unintentional. At that point, I was issued a witness statement and told to await a letter from GTR.

- On a separate note, my name was spelt wrong and the address was wrong as well, so I called up GTR (on the same day) and they gave me an email address to send the correction. I then sent an email detailing the corrections.
- I followed up on the 4th of January 2026 asking if they have noted my corrections, if they need anything else, and when I will hear back from them. They responded on the 5th of January saying they will send correspondence in due course via the address provided (they did not).

I received a letter (intent to prosecute) roughly on the 23th of March (sent to my neighbours address). It was given to me a day later, so I had it on the 24th. I wrote back to them apologising for not having a valid railcard, I accepted all responsibility, and said I would like to seek an out of court settlement and stated that this would never happen again. I also said I bought a new railcard immediately after the incident. I sent the letter on the 1st of April (do not have a post office receipt to prove, but I had the £1.70 taken from my card at a post office). Additionally, I do not have a copy of what I wrote but I was entirely apologetic and admitted fault.

They sent another letter to me (well, to my neighbours) on the 13th of April. They asked me to send them an email of my railcard. I sent a photo on the 21st of April with a copy of my old railcard, and new railcard. I also clarified that my address and name is wrong, and provided them with the correct information.

Low and behold, I received a pack (once again, from my neighbour) on the 1st of May of a SJPN with 21 days to plea guilt or not guilty (22nd of May is the date I need to send my plea).

I would really appreciate any advice, guidance, or assistance with this matter. I obviously do not want a criminal record and I am certainly looking for an out of court settlement.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 May 2026 ==

Apologise, it was the 26th of November, not the 25th.

 

[30907]

Initial reaction: GTR are playing catch-up as it is getting near the deadline for prosecution (6 months).

I would not submit a plea at this stage as you are in good time but contact them again repeating your apology, asking them again to consider a settlement, and confirming that your railcard was out of date and that you promptly bought a new one. You could ask if they received your previous reply too.

Post a draft here for comment.

PS used Tracked 24 or similar not ordinary mail.

 

[asc77123]

@30907 thank you for your response. Below is my draft:


Dear Julia Burgess (Fare Evasion Manager),

Urgent - SJPN Received - Seeking an Out-of-Court Settlement

Ref: [GTR & Court]

I am writing to urgently request an out of court settlement for my case. I received the Single Justice Procedure Notice (SJPN) on the 1st of May and I wish to resolve this matter without involving the Courts.

I received your initial correspondence (intent to prosecute) on the 23rd of March to which I replied on the 1st of April admitting fault, taking full responsibility, evidence that I purchased a new railcard after the incident, and asking for an out of court settlement.

To re-confirm what I wrote in my initial response, I sincerely apologise for my negligence and oversight in not realising my railcard had expired earlier that year. It was never my intention to commit fare evasion. I whole heartedly concede that it is solely my responsibility to check the validity of my railcard. Once it was bought to my attention, I immediately purchased a new railcard to ensure this incident does not occur again.

I kindly request if we can reach an out-of-court settlement in return for withdrawing the SJPN. I am completely willing to pay the outstanding fare and all additional costs associated with my case as I am eager to resolve this matter in amicable and prompt way.

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request and I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully

Address: Email:
Number:
DOB:

 

[WesternLancer]

@30907 thank you for your response. Below is my draft:


Dear Julia Burgess (Fare Evasion Manager),

Urgent - SJPN Received - Seeking an Out-of-Court Settlement

Ref: [GTR & Court]

I am writing to urgently request an out of court settlement for my case. I received the Single Justice Procedure Notice (SJPN) on the 1st of May and I wish to resolve this matter without involving the Courts.

I received your initial correspondence (intent to prosecute) on the 23rd of March to which I replied on the 1st of April admitting fault, taking full responsibility, evidence that I purchased a new railcard after the incident, and asking for an out of court settlement.

To re-confirm what I wrote in my initial response, I sincerely apologise for my negligence and oversight in not realising my railcard had expired earlier that year. It was never my intention to commit fare evasion. I whole heartedly concede that it is solely my responsibility to check the validity of my railcard. Once it was bought to my attention, I immediately purchased a new railcard to ensure this incident does not occur again.

I kindly request if we can reach an out-of-court settlement in return for withdrawing the SJPN. I am completely willing to pay the outstanding fare and all additional costs associated with my case as I am eager to resolve this matter in amicable and prompt way.

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request and I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully

Address: Email:
Number:
DOB:

Enclose copies of what you previously sent them if you can

Small revision. Don’t say ‘asking for an out of court settlement’ as if you would just get one. Say instead perhaps ‘I wrote in the hope it would be possible to settle this out if court’ etc.

Get this ready to post on Tuesday using gauranteed next day delivery

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 May 2026 ==

Also read this thread carefully and in full and also look carefully at the threads linked from it.
Similar situations with clear advice on what to do at this stage

Advice for SJPN - Byelaw 18(1)

Hi everyone, Back in October 2025, I was travelling from Cambridge (CBG) to London St. Pancras (STP), operated by Thameslink. Prior to the train journey I bought an Advance Single ticket going the same route for the 5pm train. But because of a schedule change and I was carrying a lot of...

www.railforums.co.uk

And this thread similarly which has recently been resolved to see the advice and a useful contact number you may be able to try ringing them on in a few days time.

Single Justice Procedure Notice received

I have just received a Single Justice Procedure Notice in the post. The notice is in relation to a journey made on 26 June 2025, from Cambridge to London Kings Cross (the ticket was for London Terminals generally). I purchased an advanced single ticket using the Trainline website, which was due...

www.railforums.co.uk

As you probably know all your stuff needs to be sent to them hard copy and tracked postage. With the clock ticking on the SJPN date to return to court you need to use next day
delivery.

PUT off sending back the SJPN for as long as you can but be mindful of the deadline so as not to miss that date.

 

[asc77123]

@WesternLancer thank you for your response. Please find attached what I have sent them. Unfortunately, I do not have a copy of my response to the intent to prosecute letter.

Moreover, noted about the letter and sending the letter either tomorrow (if possible) or Tuesday using guaranteed next day delivery. I will also send an email tomorrow, and a phone call on Tuesday (especially because they keep sending the post to the wrong address and my neighbour said they will start sending it back)

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 May 2026 ==

Also find attached screenshots of when I called GTR about the wrong address. They asked me to send an email, which I did

 

[WesternLancer]

@WesternLancer thank you for your response. Please find attached what I have sent them. Unfortunately, I do not have a copy of my response to the intent to prosecute letter.

Moreover, noted about the letter and sending the letter either tomorrow (if possible) or Tuesday using guaranteed next day delivery. I will also send an email tomorrow, and a phone call on Tuesday (especially because they keep sending the post to the wrong address and my neighbour said they will start sending it back)

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 May 2026 ==

Also find attached screenshots of when I called GTR about the wrong address. They asked me to send an email, which I did

Ok. Ideally it would have been your response to their intention to prosecute letter. But if you don’t have that nothing you can do re that.
I guess you can send the other stuff as at least it shows you’ve been trying to engage.

If you make any calls and speak to anyone follow it up in writing at least by e mail.

Keep copies of everything of course, or notes of calls and actions

 

[asc77123]

@WesternLancer unfortunately I did not keep a copy of what I said (which was a mistake). Nonetheless, I followed the advice of others on this forum which entailed being apologetic, reassuring I wouldn’t do it again, admitting fault, and asking for an out-of-court settlement.

I will make sure to make copies of everything to send to them, and to make notes of any conversations I have.

Additionally: any other recommendations for my letter (besides what was already mentioned)

 

[WesternLancer]

@WesternLancer unfortunately I did not keep a copy of what I said (which was a mistake). Nonetheless, I followed the advice of others on this forum which entailed being apologetic, reassuring I wouldn’t do it again, admitting fault, and asking for an out-of-court settlement.

I will make sure to make copies of everything to send to them, and to make notes of any conversations I have.

Additionally: any other recommendations for my letter (besides what was already mentioned)

Ref letter. You could add at the end eg.
‘You will appreciate the urgency of this as I’d like to resolve it before I have to return the SJPN paperwork to the court on xx date’

Also I don’t think there is any point in sending this to the court as well as GTR. It’s GTR who would have to agree any out of court settlement and withdraw the court action. I guess you could cc it to the court (but not include them in the Dear…. in that case).

You need to send it royal
Mail next day delivery to the GTR address in King’s Cross. I don’t think that will get sent until Tuesday / collect rd from any post offices or letterboxes.

 

[John R]

You need to send it royal
Mail theft day delivery

Is that a new service they offer for post to a prosecutions department?

 

[WesternLancer]

Is that a new service they offer for post to a prosecutions department?

Yes. Automatically corrects the contents if the envelope

 

[asc77123]

@WesternLancer thank you for your guidance. Is it worth mentioning that I am finishing my MA Law exams in hopes of qualifying as a solicitor and then becoming an Army Lawyer? Obviously, such criminal convictions matter in regulated industries

 

[TheJester]

@asc77123 why would they care? If you’re training to be a lawyer you should have attention to detail. I wouldn’t mention it.

 

[WesternLancer]

@WesternLancer thank you for your guidance. Is it worth mentioning that I am finishing my MA Law exams in hopes of qualifying as a solicitor and then becoming an Army Lawyer? Obviously, such criminal convictions matter in regulated industries

I’ve heard it on here maybe b best not to in things like this. Argument being that it’s the sort of job where you’d be expected to be in command of diligent work, not overlooking detail. Like railcard expiry details…

 

[asc77123]

@WesternLancer @TheJester thanks for clarifying, I will update once I hear more

 

[WesternLancer]

@WesternLancer @TheJester thanks for clarifying, I will update once I hear more

Hi
Guessing you are good to get your letter to a post office for next day delivery today?
I think you have until mid afternoon to do that but probably the earlier it’s sent the better
See here for the cut off posting times Royal Mail states:

https://www.royalmail.com/sending/uk/special-delivery-guaranteed-1pm

Then you can also e mail it in the hope GTR might pick up the e mail and act on it even though their auto e mail reply usually says they won’t accept it by e mail.

 

[asc77123]

@WesternLancer I’ve sent the letter and email this morning! Thank you for following up

 

[tutacre]

If you've already received an SJPN - the record of it will be there forever, even if is later withdrawn or the case does not proceed.

Once you sort things out with GTR - and hopefully get it resolved, you need to consider something else.

This won't be an issue for you in terms of stopping you from doing anything in your career - but the combination of the armed forces and law generally means this is probably going to require a frank discussion with someone there upfront. A simple explanation of the error and what you did to rectify it will be perfectly sufficient 99 times out of 100. Far better to proactively discuss this and show honesty, lessons learned rather than wait for it to come back on developed vetting or other more detailed background checks generally required in that sort of role. It's not a criminal record, it's simply a court record in the public domain.

 

[WesternLancer]

@WesternLancer I’ve sent the letter and email this morning! Thank you for following up

Next step will be working out when to try to ing them. Needs to be a bit ahead of the SJPN posting deadline but a few days from now. Maybe Friday or Monday. If that works dates wise.

 

[asc77123]

@WesternLancer good news: they responded to my email with an out-of-court settlement! It’s around £1200

 

[30907]

Excellent news (assuming the amount isn't way over what you were expecting!)

 

[asc77123]

@30907 still a lot, but thankfully I had the means! Thanks to everyone with their support! If @WesternLancer has a charity that you support, I’d love to donate in your name!

 

[WesternLancer]

@30907 still a lot, but thankfully I had the means! Thanks to everyone with their support! If @WesternLancer has a charity that you support, I’d love to donate in your name!

Glad it’s resolved but that’s not cheap. Hope you feel it’s a realistic sum in relation to the fares concerned? Albeit probably charged at the anytime single fare rate.
They might have usually charged up to £150 to £200’ admin fee within that.

You make a most kind offer to donate to a charity. It’s pretty niche but one i supported after reading about their work on this forum is a railway preservation group. I’ll post their link shortly. They have an easy just giving link so simple to use and gift aid can be easily included if you are a tax payer.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 May 2026 ==

It’s the Heritage Electric Trains Trust and this should take you to their donations page. Hope the mods here deem this acceptable.

Graeme's fundraiser for The Heritage Electric Trains Trust

Help Someone wonderful raise money to support The Heritage Electric Trains Trust

www.justgiving.com

However. There’s many more than me helping in this forum. One way you could help the forum overall is to consider buying your train tickets through this forums ticket buying page.
See the front page for the link to that if you want to see if it’s better than your usual retailer. The after sales support will certainly be good.

 

[randomperson77]

@30907 thank you for your response. Below is my draft:


Dear Julia Burgess (Fare Evasion Manager),

Urgent - SJPN Received - Seeking an Out-of-Court Settlement

Ref: [GTR & Court]

I am writing to urgently request an out of court settlement for my case. I received the Single Justice Procedure Notice (SJPN) on the 1st of May and I wish to resolve this matter without involving the Courts.

I received your initial correspondence (intent to prosecute) on the 23rd of March to which I replied on the 1st of April admitting fault, taking full responsibility, evidence that I purchased a new railcard after the incident, and asking for an out of court settlement.

To re-confirm what I wrote in my initial response, I sincerely apologise for my negligence and oversight in not realising my railcard had expired earlier that year. It was never my intention to commit fare evasion. I whole heartedly concede that it is solely my responsibility to check the validity of my railcard. Once it was bought to my attention, I immediately purchased a new railcard to ensure this incident does not occur again.

I kindly request if we can reach an out-of-court settlement in return for withdrawing the SJPN. I am completely willing to pay the outstanding fare and all additional costs associated with my case as I am eager to resolve this matter in amicable and prompt way.

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request and I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully

Address: Email:
Number:
DOB:

Could you give me her email address? I only have the GTR.Prosecutions email, and it would be great to message someone directly I.e. Julia

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 May 2026 ==

@WesternLancer good news: they responded to my email with an out-of-court settlement! It’s around £1200

They replied to you within the same day, I assume it’s because you emailed Julia directly? Please could you send me her email, thanks. @asc77123

 

[asc77123]

Glad it’s resolved but that’s not cheap. Hope you feel it’s a realistic sum in relation to the fares concerned? Albeit probably charged at the anytime single fare rate.
They might have usually charged up to £150 to £200’ admin fee within that.

You make a most kind offer to donate to a charity. It’s pretty niche but one i supported after reading about their work on this forum is a railway preservation group. I’ll post their link shortly. They have an easy just giving link so simple to use and gift aid can be easily included if you are a tax payer.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 May 2026 ==

It’s the Heritage Electric Trains Trust and this should take you to their donations page. Hope the mods here deem this acceptable.

Graeme's fundraiser for The Heritage Electric Trains Trust

Help Someone wonderful raise money to support The Heritage Electric Trains Trust

www.justgiving.com

However. There’s many more than me helping in this forum. One way you could help the forum overall is to consider buying your train tickets through this forums ticket buying page.
See the front page for the link to that if you want to see if it’s better than your usual retailer. The after sales support will certainly be good.

It’s a realistic fare (it was charged at the maximum and 250 on top for admin. There was one or two times I refunded and they charged but I decided not to dispute and settle the matter quickly)

I will make sure to make a donation at the Heritage Electric Train Trust (after next months payday) and will DEFINITELY buy train tickets through here. On the spreadsheet, it was ALL Trainline. It was a thorough audit of all my trips. I will certainly ensure my railcard is up to date and to not repeat this mistake

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 May 2026 ==

Could you give me her email address? I only have the GTR.Prosecutions email, and it would be great to message someone directly I.e. Julia

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 May 2026 ==


They replied to you within the same day, I assume it’s because you emailed Julia directly? Please could you send me her email, thanks. @asc77123

I emailed the GTR.prosecution email. Julia was just the person mentioned on my paperwork, so thought I’d make it personal.

If it helps, my subject was: URGENT - Out-of-Court Settlement - (Ref No.)

I also said that I was willing to pay ALL costs associated with my case.

 

[WesternLancer]

It’s a realistic fare (it was charged at the maximum and 250 on top for admin. There was one or two times I refunded and they charged but I decided not to dispute and settle the matter quickly)

Good that you checked I guess.

I will make sure to make a donation at the Heritage Electric Train Trust (after next months payday) and will DEFINITELY buy train tickets through here. On the spreadsheet, it was ALL Trainline. It was a thorough audit of all my trips. I will certainly ensure my railcard is up to date and to not repeat this mistake

Thanks. They will appreciate it. I realise funds might be tight for you right now until next payday.