Courts Act 2003

Power of fines officer to refer case to magistrates' court E+W

42 (1) The fines officer may refer a case to the magistrates' court at any time during the period which— E+W

(a) begins the day after the collection order is made, and

(b) ends with the date on which—

(i) the sum due (including any increase to which he remains liable) is paid, or

(ii) the order is discharged.

(2) On a referral under this paragraph, the court may—

(a) confirm or vary the payment terms (or the reserve terms),

[F1 (b) exercise any of its standard powers in respect of persons liable to pay fines or other sums, or]

(c) F2 . . . exercise a power it could exercise under any other paragraph.

[F3 (2A) Where the court exercises any of its standard powers under sub-paragraph (2)(b) it may also discharge the order.]

(3) Fines collection regulations may provide for the fines officer to have the power to issue a summons for the purpose of ensuring that P attends a magistrates' court to whom P’s case has been referred under this paragraph or paragraph 37.

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 5 para. 42(2)(b) substituted (3.7.2006) by The Collection of Fines (Final Scheme) Order (S.I. 2006/1737), arts. 1, 28(a)(i)

F2 Words in Sch. 5 para. 42(2)(c) omitted (3.7.2006) by The Collection of Fines (Final Scheme) Order (S.I. 2006/1737), arts. 1, 28(a)(ii)

F3 Sch. 5 para. 42A(2A) inserted (3.7.2006) by The Collection of Fines (Final Scheme) Order (S.I. 2006/1737), arts. 1, 28(b)

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 5 para. 42 wholly in force at 5.4.2004; Sch. 5 para. 42 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 110(1)(2); Sch. 5 para. 42 in force for certain purposes at 23.2.2004 by S.I. 2004/174, art. 4(a); Sch. 5 para. 42 in force for certain further purposes at 29.3.2004 by S.I. 2004/174, art. 4(b); Sch. 5 para. 42 in force for all purposes at 5.4.2004 by S.I. 2004/174, art. 4(c)

Increase in fine by court E+W

[F4 42A (1) This paragraph applies where—

(a) P is in default on a collection order,

(b) the sum due consists of or includes a fine, and

(c) the fines officer has referred P's case to the court—

(i) under paragraph 37(6)(a), or

(ii) after taking any of the steps listed in paragraph 38.

(2) Where the court is satisfied that the default is due to P's wilful refusal or culpable neglect, the court may increase the fine which is the subject of the order.

(3) But the court may not increase any other sum which is the subject of the order.

(4) The amount of the increase is to be determined in accordance with fines collection regulations but must not be greater than 50% of the fine.

(5) The increase is given effect by treating it as part of the fine imposed on P by his conviction.]

Textual Amendments

F4 Sch. 5 para. 42A inserted (3.7.2006) by The Collection of Fines (Final Scheme) Order (S.I. 2006/1737), arts. 1, 29