• Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

Chiltern NIP

Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

SillyTrains

Member
Joined
3 Mar 2025
Messages
24
Location
england
Hi All,

I have not received any further communications Chiltern Railway since my reply nor received any SJP etc yet. As 6 months have now passed since October 10th, how likely is it that they would have laid court papers without responding (and how long would these typically take to come through once laid?)
 

Hadders

Veteran Member
Associate Staff
Senior Fares Advisor
Joined
27 Apr 2011
Messages
16,047
It possible they could've raised papers. I suggest leaving it a few more weeks to be in the clear.

This doesn't stop Chiltern acting inproperly, we have seen train companies prosecute cases after the deadline so if you receive any further comminication from them do not acknowledge it but post a redacted copy of what they send in this thread and we will advise.
 

7454567

Member
Joined
27 Apr 2025
Messages
31
Location
birmingham
Nothing from Chiltern and also have not received any court papers yet - hoping that I can put this matter to rest now as nearly a month after the 6 month deadline
I wonder if they ever drop cases, I am now past the 6 month deadline by only a couple of days, but replied to the initial nip nearly 7 weeks ago, not sure if I should sent a follow up email as don’t want to wait another month to see if I get court papers but also don’t wanna shoot myself in the foot and remind them to fine me
 

SillyTrains

Member
Joined
3 Mar 2025
Messages
24
Location
england
Funnily enough I have received the attached this morning - the postcode they have for me is a very old one however so I can’t be sure if court papers have been issued (have no way of contacting new occupants as was a childhood home left about 15 years ago!)

What’s the best advice here, pay and settle up so the matter is closed? From the below is it very unclear whether court papers have been issued and they seem to contradict themselves? Obviously if papers have been issued it’s a no brainer to pay the £182.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0628.jpeg
    IMG_0628.jpeg
    872.6 KB · Views: 92
  • IMG_0629.jpeg
    IMG_0629.jpeg
    721.2 KB · Views: 92
Last edited:

AlterEgo

Veteran Member
Joined
30 Dec 2008
Messages
24,145
Location
LBK
I guess my question is whether they saw this post last night and having fouled the deadline, have issued a ‘hail mary’ to recoup costs
Ah, I'd miscounted the months. Well, they can't prosecute you for the offences in the magistrates' court. Their only option here is a civil claim, so you may wish to ignore the correspondence to see if they take that route (note that this may result in increased costs, but also they don't seem to habitually take things to the county cort either).
 

SillyTrains

Member
Joined
3 Mar 2025
Messages
24
Location
england
Thank you, is your interpretation of their email that they haven’t yet issued court documents? It seems suitably vague. Challenge is that as they’ve got the wrong address for me (I was not asked for an address or personal information when having ticket checked) I can’t be sure whether documents have been issued or not
 

Haywain

Veteran Member
Joined
3 Feb 2013
Messages
19,944
Well, they can't prosecute you for the offences in the magistrates' court.
Unless, of course, court papers have been issued and posted to the OP's old address. The OP will have to assess whether that is a risk worth taking.
 

AlterEgo

Veteran Member
Joined
30 Dec 2008
Messages
24,145
Location
LBK
Unless, of course, court papers have been issued and posted to the OP's old address. The OP will have to assess whether that is a risk worth taking.
Also true, although in our experience they usually send a settlement letter along with the court papers in the same bundle. I can’t imagine they would also email, especially so long after the deadline. Up to the OP’s risk appetite though.
 

SillyTrains

Member
Joined
3 Mar 2025
Messages
24
Location
england
Also true, although in our experience they usually send a settlement letter along with the court papers in the same bundle. I can’t imagine they would also email, especially so long after the deadline. Up to the OP’s risk appetite though.
That is the question - is there a way to search if court papers have been issued against you at all?

Ultimately, do people think I should pay the settlement figure or is it more than likely they’ve fouled the deadline for raising court papers?

The money is a trivial amount to me luckily, however that being said of course would rather not pay it not necessary.
 
Last edited:

Pushpit

Member
Joined
18 Nov 2023
Messages
471
Location
UK
The money is a trivial amount to me luckily, however that being said of course would rather not pay it not necessary.
In your first post you mentioned about your anxiety and triggers. If you can afford the settlement and it's a trivial amount, why would you not pay? It may be that Chiltern has served the paperwork at your old address. If on the other hand they didn't they can still pursue you via the Civil courts.
 

WesternLancer

Established Member
Joined
12 Apr 2019
Messages
10,255
Also true, although in our experience they usually send a settlement letter along with the court papers in the same bundle. I can’t imagine they would also email, especially so long after the deadline. Up to the OP’s risk appetite though.
Well they might have done that. But just to the old address. Given court papers don’t come by email I suspect

Unless, of course, court papers have been issued and posted to the OP's old address. The OP will have to assess whether that is a risk worth taking.
I would tend to think a fair chance that they have although hard to know for sure.

That is the question - is there a way to search if court papers have been issued against you at all?

Ultimately, do people think I should pay the settlement figure or is it more than likely they’ve fouled the deadline for raising court papers?

The money is a trivial amount to me luckily, however that being said of course would rather not pay it not necessary.
You need to set the sum against the potential hassle of it going to court without you knowing and in due course bailiffs turning up at your address when they finally find you. Which they seem fairly good at doing. And then you having to untangle all that. This is the balance to weigh up.
 

Spaceship323

Member
Joined
24 Jan 2020
Messages
481
Location
Nuneaton Trent Valley
Well they might have done that. But just to the old address. Given court papers don’t come by email I suspect


I would tend to think a fair chance that they have although hard to know for sure.


You need to set the sum against the potential hassle of it going to court without you knowing and in due course bailiffs turning up at your address when they finally find you. Which they seem fairly good at doing. And then you having to untangle all that. This is the balance to weigh up.
The letter in post #38 is a final chance to pay, I wouldn't think court papers have been issued yet (and if they have they can be ignored - it says so in the email) Pay the sum they're asking to make it go away or chance it in the civil court...it's up to you
 
Last edited:

SillyTrains

Member
Joined
3 Mar 2025
Messages
24
Location
england
The letter in post #38 is a final chance to pay, I wouldn't think court papers have been issued yet (and if they have they can be ignored - it says so in the email) Pay the sum they're asking to make it go away or chance it in the civil court...it's up to you

Morning all, I have paid the settlement figure this morning - whilst I suspect Chiltern may have fouled the deadline to raise court papers, my appetite for risk is low so took the opportunity to ensure the matter is closed

Thank you to everyone on this forum for their advice, some very knowledgeable people here and I often find myself interested reading about other cases and the nuances of the railway system.

Also the ticketing app is very useful and much preferred to Trainline! Will recommend to others.
 

Hadders

Veteran Member
Associate Staff
Senior Fares Advisor
Joined
27 Apr 2011
Messages
16,047
Thanks for updating us. Given that you told us upthread that you had a low appetite for risk I think paying the settlement is the right course of action to prevent the matter from escalating.
 

Top