Jane Anderson
Legal Director
Thousands of Rail Fare Evasion Cases Quashed in Landmark Ruling
The Chief Magistrate for England and Wales, Judge Goldspring has handed down a judgment which has the effect of quashing thousands of prosecutions for rail fare evasion.
22.08.2024
The judgment was the result of a test case looking at six cases which had been brought to court utilising the Single Justice Procedure (“the Procedure ”) and allows for cases to be heard by magistrates in private.
Prior to the judgment numerous prosecutions for allegations of fare evasion had been fast-tracked by rail companies however the judgment now means that all fare evasion prosecutions brought under the Procedure no longer stand.
What is the Single Justice Procedure?
The Procedure is a court procedure for minor offences such as watching television without a licence, driving a car without insurance, exceeding a speed limit and so on, and is a more efficient and straightforward process that a formal court hearing, whilst remaining “fair, transparent and vigorous”.
The Procedure applies only where the defendant pleads guilty, if they plead not guilty then the case will proceed to be heard in court, and the case is resolved in a swift manner which minimises court time and saves time for all parties who would, under usual circumstances, be required to attend court in person.
The defendant can plead their case online, and this includes giving them the opportunity to mention any mitigating circumstances they wish for a magistrate to consider.
The Procedure was introduced under the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015.
The Fare Evasion Cases
The issue with the train fare evasion cases and why the Procedure was not the appropriate prosecution route for train companies to take was that the prosecutions brought by the rail operators in question were brought under the Regulations of Railways Act 1889, and it was not permissible for the Procedure to be used for prosecutions under that Act.
As such it is estimated some 74,000 prosecutions are to be quashed and whilst in most cases being convicted under the Procedure does not result in a criminal record that is recorded on the Police National Computer, there are financial consequences by way of fines to be paid.
The judgment of Judge Goldspring will require the courts and the rail operators to identify all affected individuals, and then refund individuals the fines they paid out following the conclusion of the Procedure in their case.
Comment
Colette Kelly, RCG Partner comments: “Whilst the rail companies acknowledged there was no power to have pursued the prosecutions and the series of significant errors, the unreserved apology to those affected will be of limited comfort for those whose personal and professional reputation was impacted by a criminal conviction.”
Key Contacts
Related Articles
Expert CommentSelective licensing: why getting it wrong can have costly consequencesThe Landlord licensing landscape is evolving rapidly. Since the government’s updated selective licensing guidance took effect in December 2024, local authorities in England no longer need Secretary of State confirmation before introducing schemes covering more than 20% of their area or privately rented stock. That has made consultation, designation and renewal activity much more important for landlords with properties across different boroughs.A recent example: proposed penalties reduced by around 70%Why this mattersKey takeaways
Expert CommentFOS Redress Reforms: What the Expanded Powers to Dismiss Complaints Mean for Firms and ConsumersThe Financial Ombudsman Service (“FOS”) has just announced a package of reforms aimed at modernising its role as a dispute resolution service for complaints about financial services’ businesses in the UK. They include new powers to dismiss complaints that are considered unsuitable for determination by the Ombudsman.
Expert CommentFCA review highlights gaps in financial crime controlsThe Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) has published the findings of its review into financial crime controls across the asset management and alternatives sector, drawing on engagement with 242 firms during 2025/26.
