SouthWestern Railway Prosecution

[DubSter]

My rail card had expired and I was unaware of the fact that it has. I booked my ticket the same way I used to, not knowing the rail card is not valid.

The ticket officer took my details and handed me a paper which said the the prosecution department will contact me.

I renewed my rail card right there and paid for the new ticket as well.

I am stressed about what will happen now. Should I contact a solicitor or wait for the letter to arrive. Solicitor alone is charging £725 excluding what SWR will charge me for the expired rail card.

Can anyone guide me how to handle this situation smartly.

Thank you

 

[DubSter]

Can anyone please guide me what happens if I receive a prosecution notice on the SWR train for an expired rail card?


I am worried here and actually need help.
I haven't received any letter as of now.

 

[notmyrealname]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

I expect people will look in later, we aren't all here all of the time. You can't really do anything until the letter arrives but most cases that we see here end up being settled out of court by paying any missed fares plus South Western's admin costs. You don't need a solicitor at this stage, the pros here will advise you as things progress but not many posters here have used one.

Could you post the paperwork you've had so far please, having redacted your personal details and any reference numbers? This will help the pros.

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

I expect people will look in later, we aren't all here all of the time. You can't really do anything until the letter arrives but most cases that we see here end up being settled out of court by paying any missed fares plus South Western's admin costs. You don't need a solicitor at this stage, the pros here will advise you as things progress but not many posters here have used one.

Could you post the paperwork you've had so far please, having redacted your personal details and any reference numbers? This will help the pros.

Good advice here.

Personally I think a solicitor is not needed at this stage in what seems like a case involving an ‘honest mistake’

You should wait for the letter to arrive which could take a few weeks.

Then you can get advice here on what to do at that stage. Make sure you watch out for hard copy post or e mail including spam.

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

This sort of thing happens regularly and yiu'll see lots of similar cases in this section of the forum.

SWR will write to you in the next few weeks saying they have received a report and threatening prosecution. The letter will ask for your version of events before they decide how to proceed. SWR will normally offer an out of court settlement to people who co-operate with them and who haven't come to their attention before. Expect this to cost the outstanding fare with no credit given for the railcard discounted ticket you did buy plus an admin fee typically £150. They will also search your online ticket purchasing history and factor in any other tickets purchased since the railcard expired.

My view is there's no need to involve a solicitor at this stage. Should SWR not offer an out of court settlement then that is the time when I would look to engage a solicitor.

When it arrives, post a redacted copy of SWR's letter in this thread along with your draft reply and forum members will proof read it for you.