Local Government Finance Act 1988

Commitment to prison E+W

8 (1) Regulations under this Schedule may provide that—

(a) where an authority has sought to levy an amount by distress under any provision included under paragraph 7 above, the debtor is an individual, and it appears to the authority that no (or insufficient) goods of the debtor can be found on which to levy the amount, the authority may apply to a magistrates’ court for the issue of a warrant committing the debtor to prison;

(b) on such application being made the court shall (in the debtor’s presence) inquire as to his means and inquire whether the failure to pay which led to the liability order being made was due to his wilful refusal or culpable neglect;

(c) if (and only if) the court is of opinion that his failure was due to his wilful refusal or culpable neglect it may if it thinks fit issue a warrant of commitment against the debtor, or fix a term of imprisonment and postpone the issue of the warrant until such time and on such conditions (if any) as the court thinks just;

(d) the warrant shall be made in respect of the relevant amount (within the meaning given by sub-paragraph (2) below);

(e) the warrant shall state that amount;

(f) the order in the warrant shall be that the debtor be imprisoned for a time specified in the warrant (which shall not exceed 3 months), unless the amount stated in the warrant is sooner paid;

(g) the period of imprisonment shall be reduced by a prescribed amount in respect of part payment in prescribed circumstances;

(h) a warrant may be directed to the authority concerned and to such other persons (if any) as the court issuing it thinks fit;

(i) a warrant may be executed anywhere in England and Wales by any person to whom it is directed.

(2) The relevant amount is the aggregate of—

(a) an amount equal to the appropriate amount within the meaning of paragraph 7 above or (as the case may be) to so much of it as remains outstanding, and

(b) a sum (of an amount determined in accordance with prescribed rules) in respect of the costs of commitment.

(3) The regulations may include—

(a) provision that a single warrant shall not be issued, under any provision included under this paragraph, against more than one person;

(b) provision as to the form of a warrant;

(c) provision allowing remission of payment where no warrant is issued or term of imprisonment fixed;

(d) provision allowing an application to be renewed where no warrant is issued or term of imprisonment fixed;

(e) provision that a statement in writing to the effect that wages of any amount have been paid to the debtor during any period, purporting to be signed by or on behalf of his employer, shall be evidence of the facts there stated;

(f) provision that, for the purpose of enabling inquiry to be made as to the debtor’s conduct and means, a justice of the peace may issue a summons to him to appear before a magistrates’ court and (if he does not obey the summons) may issue a warrant for his arrest;

(g) provision that, for the purpose of enabling such inquiry, a justice of the peace may issue a warrant for the debtor’s arrest without issuing a summons;

(h) provision as to the execution of a warrant for arrest (which may include provision allowing it to be executed anywhere in England and Wales).