advice and guidance
  
updated 21 December 2007

A DIY Guide for Motorists appearing in the Magistrates Court

(now downloaded by more than 2,000 readers up to July 2007)

So you have been summonsed to appear at your local Magistrates Court sometime soon charged with a driving offence. Despite all the misgivings you may have you have decided that your best option is probably to plead guilty to the offence and get it over

 and done with, but, like most of us, you have never set foot in a Magistrates Court, and there is always a fear of the unknown. 

"I found your booklet very useful (what to say, how to address the magistrate etc). I was fined £500 plus £35 costs, and had 6 points on my licence. I was mightily relieved not to receive a ban, even though I was clocked by the police car between 100 and 104 mph over a mile of the M40." John 16 September 2005

Are you doing the right thing? Should you instruct a solicitor? If not what is

 the procedure? What will happen? When? Will I get a chance to put my side of the story?

These are the questions that we will answer in our no-nonsense, no jargon, 17 page guide to appearing in the Magistrates Court. We cover

• First Things First - Is there any way out of the matter? 

• Pleading Guilty by Post - If you can, should you and if so how and what to say? 

• Adjourning the Hearing Date - If you can't make it what to do 

  "It's a refreshingly simple guide to the procedures that must be gone through when attending court. There's good advice about what to do and how to behave when appearing in court as well as tips on the best policy when trying to minimise any bans etc - even how to apologise to the magistrates and make a difference! Court proceedings and the people involved are covered, explaining the role of each person and the dealings you'll have with them. A well written guide that could take much of the worry out of a court appearance." Pistonheads website review 23/04/04

• Preparing for Court - Things you need to think about and prepare  

• The Court Proceedings - What happens when, what to say and how to say it 

• After the Court Case - What happens once the court have made their decision 

• Legal Aid - Is there any?

The cost is just £7.50 and once you have pre-paid you can either download it or we will email you the Guide as Word document for you to keep and use. The guide covers the procedure in England & Wales only, and has been co-written by former criminal law solicitor Martin Davies, and practising criminal solicitor Andrew Palazzo, from McCormacks.

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Send mail to mail@lawontheweb.co.uk  with questions or comments about this web site.