Postal requisitions
A postal requisition is a legal document notifying you that a decision has been made to prosecute your offence(s) at court.
If you are charged with an offence and are to be prosecuted in court, you may receive a postal requisition (MG4D or MG4E).
In addition to the postal requisition, you may also receive evidence outlining the offence either in the form of statements or a statement of facts and an MC100 means form.
The postal requisition process
If you have received a postal requisition, you may not need to attend court. Read all the information carefully and follow the instructions.
If you do not attend when a court date has been given, the court may issue a warrant for your arrest. You then may be held in custody until you appear in front of the next available court.
If you do not need to attend court, you will be instructed to submit a plea by post. If this is the case, follow the instructions below:
Pleading guilty
- Complete the section on the requisition indicating your plea of guilty and sign the form.
- Complete the “Mitigating Circumstances” with any information you feel might assist your case.
- Complete the enclosed MC100 means form, giving details of your financial circumstances. This is important when the court is considering your sentence.
- Return all documents to the court which is hearing your case.
You will be informed by post of the result of the case.
Pleading not guilty
- Complete the section on the requisition indicating your plea of not guilty and sign the form.
- If you are going to be represented by a solicitor, give details at the appropriate part of the form.
- Give details of witnesses you will be bringing with you for the trial date.
- Give details of any dates you (or your witnesses) would like the court to avoid.
- Within the “Mitigating Circumstances” section, give the reasons for your not guilty plea.
- Return all documents to the court hearing your case.
The court will tell you in writing of a fresh date for a trial hearing when you must attend with your witnesses and any documents you wish the court to see.
General advice
When you receive a postal requisition, do not wait for the hearing date. If you require advice you should contact a solicitor. To find a solicitor, visit the Law Society website.
If you cannot afford a solicitor, you may receive free advice about your plea, or how to apply to the court for a representation order so you can have a solicitor at the hearing.