How Manak Solicitors Can Help You Resolve a Transport for Wales Fare Evasion Case

Facing a Transport for Wales (TfW) fare evasion allegation can be daunting. Whether you’ve received a Witness Statement (MG11), a letter from Transport Investigations Limited (TIL), or a Single Justice Procedure Notice (SJPN), the risks of fines, a criminal record, or complications with your career or visa are significant. At Manak Solicitors, led by expert fare evasion solicitor Samir Moftah, we specialise in resolving TfW fare evasion cases swiftly and effectively, often securing out-of-court settlements to safeguard your future. With over 1,000 fare evasion cases settled since May 2021 and a 5-star Trustpilot rating from 438 reviews, we’re here to guide you through this stressful process. In this blog, we’ll explore TfW’s fare evasion enforcement, the prosecution process, potential consequences, and how Manak Solicitors can help you avoid a criminal conviction.

Understanding Transport for Wales Fare Evasion

Transport for Wales operates across key routes, including Cardiff to Swansea, Newport to Holyhead, and cross-border services to England (e.g., Shrewsbury to Birmingham). In 2024, TfW intensified fare evasion enforcement, contributing to the UK rail industry’s £240 million annual losses from fare dodging. Their Revenue Protection Officers (RPOs) use ticket barriers, handheld scanners, and Trainline app history checks to catch offenders at stations like Cardiff Central and Newport.

Common TfW Fare Evasion Offences:

• Short-Faring: Purchasing a ticket for a shorter journey (e.g., Cardiff to Newport but travelling to Swansea).
• Invalid Railcards: Using an expired 16-25 Railcard or someone else’s discount card.
• No Ticket: Boarding without a valid ticket or paying only when challenged by an inspector.
• Misuse of Passes: Using an invalid staff pass or season ticket.

How TfW Enforces:

• RPOs issue an MG11 Witness Statement (e.g., reference TfWMG000) with incident details (date, journey, badge number).
• TfW, often via TIL, sends a letter requesting your version of events within 21 days.
• Failure to settle may lead to an SJPN and Magistrates’ Court prosecution.

Manak’s expertise ensures we navigate these complexities effectively.

The TfW Prosecution Process and Risks

TfW’s fare evasion prosecutions follow a clear path, with serious consequences if not addressed promptly:

• Initial Contact: An RPO issues an MG11 or TIL sends a letter requesting mitigating circumstances.
• Notice of Intention to Prosecute: TfW or TIL issues a formal notice, requiring a response within 21 days.
• Single Justice Procedure Notice (SJPN): If unresolved, an SJPN is sent, prompting a guilty or not guilty plea, leading to court.
• Court Outcome: A guilty verdict results in:
• A criminal record (one year for byelaw offences, up to 11 years on enhanced DBS checks).
• Fines up to £1,000, plus TfW’s legal costs and unpaid fares.
• Potential career loss in regulated sectors (e.g., law, finance, teaching) or visa complications.
• Career Impact: A criminal record can bar professionals from regulated roles or trigger DBS disclosures.
• Visa Issues: Convictions may complicate UK visa renewals or citizenship applications.
• Financial Burden: Court fines and costs can exceed £1,500, far more than early settlements.

Led by Samir Moftah, a qualified solicitor since 2010 who has achieved thousands of settlements, Manak Solicitors offers tailored strategies to resolve TfW cases efficiently:

• Out-of-Court Settlements: We negotiate directly with TfW or TIL, leveraging Samir’s strong relationships with prosecutors to secure settlements, often within 24 hours, avoiding court and criminal records.
• Mitigation Letters: We craft compelling responses to MG11 or TIL notices, highlighting remorse, financial hardship, or genuine errors to minimize penalties.
• Statutory Declarations: For convictions in absentia (e.g., missed SJPN due to address errors), we file statutory declarations under Section 14 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, faster than court delays (six months).
• Interview Avoidance: We request written correspondence to prevent self-incrimination.

Samir has settled 100% of TfW cases out-of-court.

Contact Us Today

Don’t let a fare evasion allegation derail your future, Manak Solicitors can help.

Call Samir Moftah at 07731868916 or 01689 870769 or send an enquiry to [email protected] . Act now to avoid a criminal record and resolve your case quickly.