(1)Where a court has imposed a fine on an offender or ordered him to find caution the court shall, subject to subsection (2) below, allow him at least seven days to pay the fine or the first instalment thereof or, as the case may be, to find caution; and any reference in this section and section 216 of this Act to a failure to pay a fine or other like expression shall include a reference to a failure to find caution.
(2)If on the occasion of the imposition of a fine—
(a)the offender appears to the court to possess sufficient means to enable him to pay the fine forthwith; or
(b)on being asked by the court whether he wishes to have time for payment, he does not ask for time; or
(c)he fails to satisfy the court that he has a fixed abode; or
(d)the court is satisfied for any other special reason that no time should be allowed for payment,
the court may refuse him time to pay the fine and, if the offender fails to pay, may exercise its power to impose imprisonment and, if it does so, shall state the special reason for its decision.
(3)In all cases where time is not allowed by a court for payment of a fine, the reasons of the court for not so allowing time shall be stated in the extract of the finding and sentence as well as in the finding and sentence itself.
(4)Where time is allowed for payment of a fine or payment by instalments is ordered, the court shall not, on the occasion of the imposition of a fine, impose imprisonment in the event of a future default in paying the fine or an instalment thereof unless the offender is before it and the court determines that, having regard to the gravity of the offence or to the character of the offender, or to other special reason, it is expedient that he should be imprisoned without further inquiry in default of payment; and where a court so determines, it shall state the special reason for its decision.
(5)Where a court has imposed imprisonment in accordance with subsection (4) above, then, if at any time the offender asks the court to commit him to prison, the court may do so notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section.
(6)Nothing in the foregoing provisions of this section shall affect any power of the court to order a fine to be recovered by civil diligence.
(7)Where time has been allowed for payment of a fine imposed by the court, it may, on an application by or on behalf of the offender, and after giving the prosecutor an opportunity of being heard, allow further time for payment.
(8)Without prejudice to subsection (2) above, where a court has imposed a fine on an offender, the court may, of its own accord or on the application of the offender, order payment of that fine by instalments of such amounts and at such time as it may think fit.
(9)Where the court has ordered payment of a fine by instalments it may—
(a)allow further time for payment of any instalment thereof;
(b)order payment thereof by instalments of lesser amounts, or at longer intervals, than those originally fixed,
and the powers conferred by this subsection shall be exercisable without requiring the attendance of the accused.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 214 applied (with modifications) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 43, ss. 14(2)(a), 50(2)
C2S. 214(2) modified (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 43, ss. 15(2), 50(2)
C3S. 214(4)-(6) applied (with modifications) (24.3.2003) by Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (c. 29), ss. 118(1)(2)(b), 458; S.S.I. 2003/210, art. 2 (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-7)