Prosecutions

A prosecution is the ultimate sanction in enforcement.  Offences are either “summary only”, which are heard in the magistrates court, “indictable”, which go to the Crown Court after a brief Magistrates Court appearance or “either way”, meaning that they could be heard in either court although they always start in the magistrates.  There will be at least two hearings if you decide to plead not guilty – one to receive your plea and fix a future date and the other to undertake the full hearing itself.  It goes without saying that your prospects of success are improved by having a solicitor or barrister to represent you and we have experience of this type of work.

Even if you are intending to plead guilty to an offence, it is sometimes a good idea to seek a solicitor to represent you.  A knowledge of the law on sentencing can be useful in ensuring that the court imposes a proportionate penalty and not one that is excessive.

With almost all regulatory offences, there are a number of factors that can influence the penalty :

  • A deliberate or reckless breach of law rather than result of carelessness
  • Action or lack of action prompted by financial motives
  • Regular or continuing breach
  • Failure to respond to advice, cautions or warning from regulatory authority
  • Previous offences of a similar nature
  • Obstructive or dismissive attitude to authorities
  • A relatively minor role or had little personal responsibility
  • Genuine and reasonable lack of awareness or understanding of specific regulations
  • Isolated lapse
  • Co-operation with the regulatory authority
  • Taking steps to remedy the problem as soon as possible
  • Good previous record
Call us on
01491 729 454
or chat online

You can contact us during office hours on

01491 729 454

If the matter is urgent and cannot wait, call us or send a What’sApp message to us on

07 933 944 000

Please note that we do not deal with personal injury claims.