Police won't appeal a High Court ruling that found the way they issue formal warnings has no legal basis

A review will be done of the policy -- which is one of the tools police use to resolve incidents, without requiring court action.

They say they need to make sure when members of the public are given formal warnings they have consent of the process and its consequences.

Otago Uni law professor, Andrew Geddis says no legal basis to issue warnings for offences with a jail sentence of more than six months.

He says that means if you do something relatively serious -- Police only have the option to take you to court and charge you.