Greater London Authority Act 1999

8 (1) Where a person has become liable under paragraph 3 or 4 above to pay a penalty fare in respect of any journey on a local service or any train journey (referred to below as “the relevant journey”), no proceedings may be brought against him for any of the offences specified in sub-paragraph (3) below before the end of the period mentioned in paragraph 5(1) above.

(2) No proceedings may be brought after the end of that period if—

(a) before the end of that period, the person who has become liable to pay the penalty fare has paid it to the person providing the service on which the requirement to pay it was made; or

(b) an action has been brought against the person who has become liable to pay the penalty fare for the recovery of that fare.

(3) The offences mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) above are—

(a) any offence under section 5(3)(a) or (b) of the [1889 c. 57.] Regulation of Railways Act 1889 (travelling without paying the correct fare with intent to avoid payment) arising from the relevant journey;

(b) any offence under byelaws made under section 67 of the [1962 c. 46.] Transport Act 1962 or paragraph 26 of Schedule 11 to this Act (byelaws for railways, etc.) involving a failure to obtain or produce a fare ticket or general travel authority for the relevant journey; and

(c) any offence under section 25(3) of the [1981 c. 14.] Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 of contravening or failing to comply with any provision of regulations for the time being having effect by virtue of that section by failing to pay the fare properly payable for the relevant journey or any part of it.

(4) If proceedings are brought in contravention of this paragraph the person who has become liable to pay the penalty fare shall cease to be liable to pay it, but where that person has paid that fare, the person to whom it is paid shall be liable to repay to that person the amount of that fare.