Free Traffic Legal Advice

there's a big diffrence bewteen you not being aware and "nobody seemed to be aware"
I posetd the message to see if anyone else was aware.
if you're not aware that's fine but that doesn't equaute to no one else being aware of a process.

I’m looking for guidance on a situation involving Crown Court costs and whether there is any mechanism to seek remission due to financial hardship.

I was unsuccessful in a firearms licence appeal at Crown Court (November 2024). The judge ruled against me and awarded costs in favour of the Metropolitan Police (around £4,000+).

At the hearing, I made it clear that I was not working, but the judge did not engage with my financial circumstances and still awarded full costs. The interaction felt dismissive, and I came away with the impression that my situation had not been properly considered.

My understanding (from experience in the Magistrates’ Court) is that where someone is unemployed or on benefits, the court will usually consider their means and often remit or reduce costs, particularly if they cannot realistically be paid within a reasonable timeframe (e.g. 12 months).

Fast forward to now — I have been out of work for several months and am currently on DWP benefits. I tried to go back through the court to ask whether I could apply for some or all of the costs to be remitted due to hardship (similar to how it works in the Magistrates’ Court).

However, I’ve run into a complete dead end:

The Crown Court says it has no jurisdiction to vary or remit the costs once ordered.
The Magistrates’ Court says it also has no power to vary Crown Court costs.
I’ve been told the Met Police are enforcing the costs, and I should speak to them.
The police have allowed me to pay in instalments (e.g. ~£50/month), but they are not willing to remit or reduce the amount.

At this rate, it will take me several years to pay off the costs, which seems disproportionate given I am on benefits.

So my questions are:

Is it correct that there is no mechanism at all to apply for remission of Crown Court costs based on hardship?
Why does the Magistrates’ Court have a clear process for this, but the Crown Court apparently does not?
Is it really correct that the enforcing party (the police) are effectively the only ones who can consider hardship, rather than a court?
Is there any route (short of judicial review, which seems time-barred) to get this reconsidered?

I’ve also gone through the complaints process with HMCTS, but haven’t received any clear answer on whether such a mechanism exists.

Would really appreciate any insight from those familiar with Crown Court procedure or costs enforcement.

Thanks in advance.

i asked a follow up question and was seeking clarification.
i wasn't arguing with the advice but trying to understand it.
                            

Hello,

I have received a NIP for an alleged speeding fine from surrey police for a camera at location S79, A23 Horley Road, South Earlswood, at 01.35 hours on 24th Oct 2025.
The original NIP was received within time.
There were some letters backwards and forwards with the police but eventually i received a Conditional Offer of fixed penalty (3 points and £100 fine).
However looking at the Certificate of calibration, I believe that it could be argued that the certificate is out of date.
Allow me to explain.

It effectively has three relevant dates:
Radar Factory Calibration Date  16/11/2023
Initial Site Calibration Start Date  20/12/2023
Annual Inspection Date  25/11/2024
And a stated “Valid Until*” date of: 24/11/2025
and then some wording
* Site Calibration Valid until up to one year from Site Calibration/ Calibration Inspection Date, or three years from Radar Factory Calibration Date, whichever is sooner.

The key words here I believe are "whichever is sooner"
Therefore of the 3 possible options, the soonest date is Site Calibration Valid until up to one year from Site Calibration 16/11/2023 therefore the certificate woud be valid until 15/11/2024 and NOT 24/11/25.

Am I correct in my understanding and reading?
are these grounds to challenge?
or should i accept the offer?

Also, would the Police need to provide a certificate of annual inspection if it is mentioned on the calibration certificate?

calibration certificate here:
https://ibb.co/sJcdn3Vp

Advice gratefully welcome.

the car was travelling along Dalmally Road on to Blackhorse Lane.

Hello

My wife receieved a PCN from Croydon Council on 15/11/23, whilst taking our 18 year old son for a driving practice drivng lesson ahead of his test in a couple of months.

52J - Failing to Comply with a Prohibition on certain types of vehicles.

This happened on Dalmally Road at the junction with Blackhorse Lane in Croydon (Addsicombe).

I appealed against the PCN on 16/11/23 and subsequently have recieved a Notice of Rejection on 09/11/23

Should this be appealed further (to the Adjudiator) or should the fine be paid?

I attach the original PCN, my intial appeal and the Rejection Notice from Croydon Council.

  All and any advice/guidance gratefully accepted, thank you for taking the time to read this 

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