You can ask the court to change a fine if: your financial circumstances have changed the court did not know your income when they convicted you Your original conviction or record of your offence will not change. How to ask for a review Write to the court or go to your court hearing with evidence of your income and living expenses. If your income has changed since you were sentenced you need to also provide your income on the date you were sentenced. You can ask your legal adviser if you’re not sure what documents you need. What happens next The court will decide if the decision should be reconsidered. You may need to attend court for another hearing. They’ll let you know when the hearing will take place.

Appeal a magistrates’ court decision

Q: Ask the court to reconsider a decision

You can ask the court to reconsider your conviction, sentence or court order if you think the decision was wrong for a legal reason, for example if the court did not: give proper reasons for its decision, or back up the decision with facts apply the law properly This is different to making an appeal to the Crown Court . If you pleaded guilty, you cannot ask the court to reconsider your conviction. How to get a decision reconsidered Submit your request as early as possible by writing to the magistrates’ court where you had your hearing. You must include: information about your conviction, sentence or court order why you think the decision should change what the conviction, sentence or order should be changed to Send a copy of your application to the prosecutor’s office (you can find the address of the prosecutor by contacting the magistrates’ court where you were convicted). The court will decide if a hearing is needed.

Q: If you did not know about your case

If a magistrates’ court convicted you without you knowing, you can make a statutory declaration before a magistrates’ court or to a commissioner for oaths (for example a solicitor). If the court accepts your declaration they will start the proceedings again. Your conviction or sentence will no longer apply. When to make your declaration You must give your completed declaration to the court within 21 days of finding out about your case. If you want to give a declaration after 21 days, you’ll have to ask the court if they’ll accept it. Making a statutory declaration Download a statutory declaration (called an ignorance of proceedings form) or ask for a copy at your local magistrates’ court . Fill out the form telling the court when and how you heard about your court case. You’ll need to provide details of your case, including where your hearing was held and on what date. Arrange an appointment to make your statutory declaration before a solicitor or any magistrates’ court. Sign and date your form. Give your declaration to the court or ask your solicitor to do it. If your case was decided by a magistrate without a hearing, you’ll need to give a written plea (or a completed single justice procedure notice if you have one) to the court or your solicitor along with your statutory declaration.

What you can appeal

You can appeal to the magistrates’ court against your:

sentence, if you pleaded guilty
conviction and sentence, if you pleaded not guilty

You should talk to your legal representative (if you have one) or get help from a legal adviser before you appeal.

Ask the court to reconsider a decision

If you think the decision was wrong, you can ask the court to reconsider a sentence or conviction. For example, if there was a serious mistake or the court did not follow the right steps.

If you disagree with the decision but there has been no mistake you will normally need to appeal to the Crown Court.

If you did not know about your court case

If you did not know about your case before a decision was made, you can make a statutory declaration to a magistrates’ court to reopen your case.

Change the amount you’ve been fined

You can ask the court to change the amount you’ve been fined if:

your financial circumstances have changed
the court did not know your income at the time of your conviction

View a printable version of the whole guide

Appeal a magistrates’ court decision

What you can appeal

Ask the court to reconsider a decision

If you did not know about your court case

Change the amount you’ve been fined

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Appeal a magistrates’ court decision

What you can appeal

Ask the court to reconsider a decision

If you did not know about your court case

Change the amount you’ve been fined

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Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK