I am being taken to court by tfl for failure for showing a valid oystercard on a London bus. However, at the time I had a valid oyster card for the journey.. I had lost it in a venue that night and found it the following day - I gave details of this card and the number and the registered address etc when I was sent the initial notice by tfl.

I would like to know how the court approaches these matters. Whilst I am guilty of not showing the card, tfl have evidence that I actually owned one at the time as it was registered in my name etc. This is not a matter of fare evasion as as a travelcard holder I had paid for the fare in advance! Will the court be sympathetic to me, as tfl are essentially convicting me on a technicality. They suffered no financial loss, and I made them aware of this before they issued me with a summons.

You have to be in possesion of a valid ticket whilst travelling on a bus/train etc. I'm afraid you should have bought a ticket then claimed a refund.

On the occasion I had forgotten my rail ticket, I had to do so otherwise at the other end I was told I'd be charged a fine aswell as having to pay the full fare.

I succesfully reclaimed the fare though.

Yes in hindsight I should have taken the initiative, but too late, my question is how the courts will view this. There was obviously no intention to fare dodge. I might add that I did not think TfL would take me to court given that I had prepaid the fare! It does not seem reasonable.

Make sure you appear in court, they will be hoping that you don't and get their money by default. In fact they are probably banking on you not turning up and giving a defence.

Can you make an out of court settlement, I work for a train company and they take fare evaders to court, but I know that if you ring up the head office, they will let you make an out of court settlement, and just call you in for a reprimand.

It is worth a try asking this because I know when my company take people to court, they end up with a criminal record. Give them a call and ask them.