Understanding our prosecution process
This page gives you information about how we investigate and prosecute TT2 Byelaw offences in the magistrate’s court.
It outlines our prosecution process and covers how we make the decision to prosecute, how you can avoid it, and what to expect if you are prosecuted.
The law and you
It is against the law to contravene the Tyne Tunnel Byelaws and prosecutions will be considered for contravening the following regulations:
Being the registered keeper (or driver) of a motor vehicle and failing to make payment of the appropriate toll through the prepayment scheme (contrary to byelaw 64) or by the deadline of midnight the day after your journey (contrary to byelaw 65) in accordance with instructions given by the operator or an authorised person, and thus failing to comply with the provisions of the Tyne Tunnel Byelaws 2021 made in pursuance of the Transport and Works Act 1992 by the North East Combined Authority under Article 41 of the River Tyne (Tunnels) Order 2005.
Contravening or failing to comply with a provision of the Tyne Tunnels Byelaws 2021 contrary to byelaw 69 of the Tyne Tunnel Byelaws 2021, made in pursuance of the Transport and Works Act 1992 by the North East Combined Authority (acting on behalf of the North East Transport Authority) under Article 41 of the River Tyne (Tunnels) Order 2005.
TT2 may also prosecute an individual for any breach of the Tyne Tunnels bylaws, for example for speeding in the traffic tunnels or for prohibited behaviour in the Pedestrian and Cyclist tunnels
such as smoking or littering.
Failing to provide requested information contrary to Byelaw 68 of the Tyne Tunnels Byelaws 2021 made in pursuance of the Transport and Works Act 1992 by the North East Combined Authority under Article 41 of the River Tyne (Tunnels) Order 2005.
Upon conviction you will get a criminal record, and this can affect your life, as it can affect job applications and visa applications to go on holiday and abroad.
A person can attend court cases, represent themselves and speak to the Judge themselves – a solicitor is not needed although it may be useful to obtain independent legal advice.
Enforcing the law
We want to explain to you the process we go through with everyone who fails to pay the appropriate toll for using the Tyne Tunnels.
We first send an unpaid toll charge notice (UTCN) to the registered keeper of the motor vehicle in question.
The UTCN allows 14 days for payment to reduce the charge by 50%. If the 14 days elapse the discounted rate will expire.
Failure to pay an unpaid toll charge in full within 28 days of the date of the notice will incur a charge in addition to the original toll charge.
The case(s) will then be pursued via an external third-party debt collection agency. If the charge(s) and toll(s) cannot be recovered by a third-party debt collection agency, it will be returned to TT2.
If necessary, TT2 may recover the charge(s) through a UK court. Consideration will be given to prosecute contraventions of Tyne Tunnel Byelaws in the magistrate’s court.
The decision to prosecute
We only prosecute as a last resort when all our other options have previously been exhausted. Our policy follows the principles of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Before we go forward with prosecution, a case must pass two tests:
- An evidence test to ensure the evidence is strong enough for a realistic prospect of conviction.
- A public interest test, which considers factors such as the personal circumstances of the individual – for example, their health – and whether an alternative to prosecution could be offered.
The likelihood of prosecution
You may be prosecuted – and still need to pay the outstanding UTCN(s) – if any of the following factors apply to you:
- You have consistently failed to engage with the UTCN process.
- You were offered an alternative to prosecution, but still failed to pay.
- You have a previous TT2 Byelaw conviction or you have been considered for prosecution in the past.
- You have made a false declaration of the identity of the driver of the vehicle in question.
- You have stated that you did not, or do not, intend to pay the UTCN.
- After prosecution the UTCN(s) will remain open and will not be part of the sentencing.
Alternative to prosecution
We may offer you a warning (on condition of payment of the unpaid toll notice charges) as an alternative to prosecution.
If a warning is offered, this will be confirmed in writing and the person can avoid prosecution by complying with one of the following conditions:
- a) Pay the unpaid toll charges in full, OR
- b) Set up a payment scheme and pay agreed minimum amounts within the time periods specified.
If a warning is offered and the conditions are not met then we will continue with our investigation, which could lead to you being prosecuted.
The prosecution process
The majority of TT2 Byelaw prosecutions will be dealt with under the Single Justice Procedure (SJP), which allows a magistrate to deal with a case without a hearing in open court.
- You will be sent an SJP Notice, which sets out the charge and the facts (evidence).
- You must reply to the court with your plea by post within 21 days.
- In addition, you will be able to provide information to support your plea. For guilty pleas, you can include any mitigating circumstances and a statement of your means. For not guilty pleas, you should provide reasons for your plea and details of witnesses who you want to give evidence on your behalf.
- If you plead guilty, the magistrate will make a decision on the case based on the written evidence provided by you and TT2 Limited, without a hearing in open court (unless otherwise requested). The magistrate’s decision will be sent by post.
- If you plead not guilty – or you plead guilty but wish to appear before the court in person – you will receive a summons issued by the court with the time and date of your hearing.
- If you don’t respond to the SJP Notice, the case will still go ahead and you will lose your chance to make a plea and to provide any supporting information.
For cases not dealt with under the SJP, the court will issue a summons with the time and date of your hearing. This will give you the option to plead by post or in person.
Sentencing
If you are found guilty of a TT2 Byelaw offence, the magistrate will decide the level of the fine. You may have to pay:
- A maximum fine of up to £1,000 but this is means tested.
- Prosecution costs of £125 will also be claimed by TT2.
- You will also still have to pay the outstanding UTCN(s).
If a person is ordered to pay a fine and does not pay, it is an imprisonable offence. A term of up to 28 days imprisonment can be imposed by a Magistrates Court for an unpaid fine of £500-£1,000 once all other avenues are exhausted. Imprisonment can have a severe impact on the life of those sentenced, and thus if an individual faces any difficulties in paying any court imposed fine, they should seek legal advice as a matter of urgency and inform the court of their circumstances.
Help with managing debt
There are some not-for-profit organisations that could help you. Their advice is free, confidential and independent.
- Citizens Advice – visit adviceguide.org.uk or call 03444 111 444 to find your local Citizens Advice.
- National Debtline – call 0808 808 4000 or visit nationaldebtline.org
- Money Advice Service – go to moneyadviceservice.org.uk or call 0800 138 7777 for free, unbiased advice.
FAQs
If you have any questions about a letter from one of our Case Resolutions Team or about a prosecution case, this section has answers to some of the most common questions. It may be useful if you have received a:
- summons
- single justice procedure notice
How will I know that a decision has been made to prosecute me?
If we do prosecute, you will be sent one of the following:
- A Single Justice Procedure Notice
- A summons
We will only prosecute as a last resort. You may be offered an alternative to prosecution first, such as setting up a payment plan. If this is an option for you, we’ll confirm this in writing.
What is a Single Justice Procedure Notice?
Most TT2 Byelaw contravention cases will go through the Single Justice Procedure (SJP), which means you may be able to have your case decided by a magistrate without going to court.
The SJP Notice sets out what you have been charged with and the facts of the case (known as the evidence).
You will need to respond to the notice by pleading guilty or not guilty within the deadline given on your letter.
The easiest and quickest way to do this is to make a make a plea online.
Visit GOV.UK to find out more about the SJP.
If you plead guilty
You can provide information to support your plea if you want to – for example, any mitigating circumstances. You can also give information on your finances. This will be considered if you’re found guilty and ordered to pay a fine.
A decision will be made on your case based on the written statement you give, and the evidence given by TT2 limited. This will happen without a court hearing. The decision will be sent to you by post.
You can choose to appear before the court in person if you want to – make sure you tick the relevant box on your notice. You’ll then be sent a letter with the date and time of your hearing.
If you plead not guilty
You should provide reasons for your plea, and details of any witnesses you want to give evidence on your behalf.
You’ll be sent a letter with the date and time of your hearing.
After your case has been decided
If you’re found guilty, you’ll be sent a ‘notice of fine’ telling you how much you need to pay.
This may include:
A maximum fine of up to £1,000
Prosecution costs of around £100 (if you plead not guilty this cost could be much higher)
The UTCN(s) will remain open with TT2.
You can’t be sent to prison for a TT2 Byelaw offences, but you can be sent to prison for deliberately refusing to pay court fines.