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What to do if…
you receive a notice from a prosecutor asking for a response or statement

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Pause before saying anything substantive. Usually, the first useful step is to confirm exactly what the notice is asking for, note any deadline, and get criminal defence advice before you respond.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t try to “explain your side” in a quick email or phone call to make it go away.
  • Don’t guess what “respond”, “provide an account”, or “give a statement” means; ask for the request to be clear in writing.
  • Don’t discuss the allegation on social media, in group chats, or with people who may be connected to the case.
  • Don’t contact any complainant, witness, or anyone connected to the allegation unless a solicitor tells you it is safe and appropriate.
  • Don’t delete, edit, forward, or tidy up messages, photos, call logs, location history, documents, or posts.

What to do now

  1. Identify which UK legal system the notice belongs to.
    Use the letterhead, case reference, police force, court name, or named prosecuting authority:

    • England and Wales: some cases are referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for a charging decision.
    • Scotland: prosecution decisions are handled through the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
    • Northern Ireland: prosecution decisions are handled by the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland.

  2. Check the notice is genuine without discussing the allegation.
    Use independently found official contact details where possible, such as an official website or police switchboard. Ask only to confirm the reference number, sender, and what type of response is being requested.

  3. Write down the practical details.
    Make a short note of who sent the notice, the reference number, what they are asking for, the deadline, the response method, and whether they mention an interview, statement, documents, or questions.

  4. Get a criminal defence solicitor involved before any substantive reply.
    If the notice involves police questioning, a voluntary interview, an interview under caution, or a written account about suspected offending, ask for legal advice before you answer. If you are questioned at a police station, ask for free legal advice before questioning starts.

  5. If you need to acknowledge receipt, keep it only to a holding response.
    Say you have received the notice, you are getting legal advice, and you ask for any unclear request or deadline to be confirmed in writing. Do not give your version of events in that message.

  6. Preserve the notice and anything that may be relevant.
    Save the letter, envelope, emails, attachments, screenshots, messages, call logs, receipts, and account records as they are. Do not alter originals.

  7. Make a private timeline for your solicitor.
    Write down key dates, times, places, who contacted you, what was said, and where relevant records may be. Keep this for your solicitor rather than sending it to the police or prosecutor yourself.

  8. If documents are requested, list what exists before sending anything.
    Note what documents, messages, photos, accounts, or devices may be relevant. Let your solicitor advise what to provide, what not to provide, and how to provide it.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide your whole defence today.
  • You do not need to write a detailed statement right now.
  • You do not need to contact anyone connected to the case to clear it up.
  • You do not need to collect every possible document immediately; preserve what you have and list what exists.
  • You do not need to decide whether the case will end in a charge, no further action, or something else.

Important reassurance

A referral to a prosecutor can feel as if the outcome has already been decided, but it often means a decision is still being considered. Getting legal advice before responding is a normal safeguard, not an admission of anything.

Scope note

These are first steps only. What happens next depends on where in the UK the case is, whether you are treated as a suspect or witness, what the notice is requesting, and any deadline.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice. Procedures vary across England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and by the stage of the case. If you are being asked for an interview, a statement, documents, or you face a deadline, get advice from a criminal defence solicitor promptly.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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