Proactive Fare Evasion Representations Prevents Prosecution by Chiltern Railways - Case Resolved Within 12 Hours of Instruction

Umar Zeb's team were recently instructed to act on behalf of a mother and daughter, Mrs A and Ms B, in relation to an investigation by Chiltern Railways concerning the alleged misuse of train tickets. Our clients had travelled from the West Midlands to London using tickets originally issued for free travel but were subsequently altered. The tickets were examined on arrival at a London train station, and the matter was escalated for consideration of prosecution.

Importantly, when we were instructed, neither of our clients had received any formal correspondence or notification from Chiltern Railways. We acted proactively, contacting the prosecution team directly to engage with the matter before any letters had been sent. This early intervention enabled us to take control of the process and protect our clients’ interests from the outset.

We carefully reviewed Chiltern Railways’ prosecution policy, focusing on Paragraph 8 and Paragraph 8.6. We highlighted that no aggravating factors were present and that this was an exceptional case, not deserving of prosecution. Mrs A accepted full responsibility for the incident, while Ms B did not know the ticket alteration. Our representations strongly urged that a formal prosecution would not be in the public interest.

As a result, the Economic Crime, Fraud & Prosecution Unit at Chiltern Railways reassessed both files and agreed to discontinue the case upon each client's payment of £292.20. We informed our clients immediately, and both were overjoyed with the outcome. The matter was successfully resolved within just 12 hours of our initial instruction.

This swift resolution spared Mrs A and Ms B from receiving criminal records, which was their number one priority.

It is important to note that both clients were foreign nationals, and any blemish on their record or even a minor motoring conviction could potentially jeopardise their immigration status. The outcome we achieved ensured their continued good standing and protected their long-term future in the UK.

This case is a clear example of the value of early legal advice and decisive action. By intervening at the earliest stage and presenting well-argued mitigation, we secured a just and proportionate outcome without the need for formal proceedings.