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What to do if you receive a court summons (Notice of Criminal Charge)

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Receiving a court summons can be a very distressing experience. If you find yourself in such a situation, you will likely have several questions about what this means and what is going to happen next.

In the following blog, our criminal law experts explain what receiving a court summons will mean for you, what actions you need to take, and what you need to be aware of.

Please note that the following article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. If you need legal support with your case after receiving a court summons, please get in touch, and our team can advise you.

What is a court summons?

A court summons (also referred to as a notice of criminal charge or postal requisition) is relatively straightforward. It is a legal document which informs someone:

  • Legal proceedings have been initiated against them
  • Their presence is required at court

The court summons may also contain basic information about the alleged offence and additional documents outlining statements of fact about the case.

It will not contain any details about evidence that the prosecution will use in the case.

The location of the court, the time and the date of the hearing will also be included.

How is a court summons delivered in the UK and who can issue it?

A court summons can be delivered in person or, more commonly, via tracked and recorded delivery. If sent by post, the court summons will be sent to your last known address. The summons will be issued by the court.

How long does it take to receive a court summons?

There isn’t a single timeframe for receiving a court summons, as several factors can affect the time it takes for the court to make a decision.

For summary-only offences, which are held in the Magistrates’ Court, the prosecution is required to charge you within six months. However, for more serious offences, including those which are to be tried in the Crown Court, there is no specific time limit.

It is not unusual to receive a court summons many months after first being arrested and/or interviewed by the police.

How do I respond to a court summons?

If you have been issued a Notice of Criminal Charge, specific information about what will happen next will be included. However, before taking any action, your first response should be to instruct specialist legal representation.

At JD Spicer Zeb, our team will be able to support you with every aspect of your case, preparing you in advance of your appearance at court and clarifying what your next steps should be after you receive a court summons.

What happens if I ignore a court summons in the UK?

It is imperative that you do not ignore a court summons. Doing so could result in an arrest warrant being issued.

If you have any reason for being unable to attend court as per the details outlined in the summons, you should contact the court to explain the situation as soon as possible. You should be aware that the court may not be able to accommodate changes to the date of your court appearance, and if they aren’t, you will still be expected to appear.

What if you're summoned to court but you've not been charged?

If you’ve been summoned to court, but not been charged with an offence, it could be because you are being called as a witness. It is still crucial that you attend court after receiving a court summons as a witness.

What happens at a first court hearing after a summons?

Exactly what happens at your first hearing after being summonsed to court will depend on the nature of the case. However, there are some formalities which will be followed in most instances.

Once you arrive at the court, you will be required to go through security checks and find the courtroom where your case is being heard. You will also need to report to the court clerk to confirm your attendance.

After the initial proceedings of your case take place and you enter your plea, the court will then decide on the next steps.

Throughout your first court hearing, your solicitor will be there to guide you through the process and keep you informed on what to expect.

Related matters:

Fees and funding

We are always transparent with regard to legal fees.

If you are required to attend court after receiving a court summons letter, you may be eligible for Legal Aid. Whether you can access Legal Aid will depend on whether the grant of public funding is justified on a means and interest of justice basis.

Where you do not qualify for Legal Aid, the alternative will be to fund the case on a private basis.       

To find out more about the way we handle fees (both Legal Aid and private fees) please use the links provided below:

Contact our criminal defence lawyers today

If you have received a summons to court letter, require any urgent specialist advice, or immediate representation, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

You can contact our dedicated criminal defence lawyers in London, Birmingham, and Manchester by telephone at:

Or email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk

Alternatively, you can fill out our quick online enquiry form, and we will get back to you quickly.

24/7 legal representation

For immediate representation and advice, you can contact our Emergency Number: 07836 577 556, and we will provide prompt, friendly advice.