Court Fines
Credit Card Debt Help
We receive many of calls and emails from the public enquiring about problems paying court fines. It’s important to note that court fines are regarded as important debts to pay in priority to unsecured debts. Court fines can not be discharged by filing for bankruptcy and non-payment of court fines can lead to further court action and even jail. If you have received a court fine or are having problems paying a court fine please call the advice team on 0800 0789 544 or apply online
Please note that court fines are serious debts and if you don’t pay then you could be sent to prison. The court will want to avoid a custodial sentence for non payment of court fines and may prefer to set up an attachment of earnings order. They can also instruct court bailiffs to take and sell your goods to recoup the debt.
What to do if you have a court fine but cannot pay?
- Don’t bury your head in the sand as you can be arrested.
- Make sure you have an up to date income and expenditure account showing exactly what you can afford.
- Get debt help early if have a court fine you cannot pay. The courts are not like other creditors and have strict timelines to adhere to.
What are court fines?
- Court fines are financial penalties given by courts for a range of criminal matters.
- The amount of a court fine amount depends on the seriousness of the offence
- Court fines are also means tested, so the more a person can afford the higher the court fine will be.
- The level of court fines given will also be based on sentence and court fine guidelines.
- Court fines are regarded as priority debts.
- Court fines must be paid otherwise a custodial sentence may be forced upon the defendant.
Information on court fines
Court fines are given instead of / or in addition to other court action that can be as a result of a driving offence, assault or any other crime.
A court passes court fines to people to as punishment for offences. The actual level of court fines depends on the crime and the affordability of the defendant.
What happens if you can not afford to pay a court fine?
- If someone can’t pay a fine, they should contact the court saying why they can’t pay and include proof of their financial circumstances.
- If someone says they can’t pay a fine straight away, they can ask the court if they can pay in instalments. The court may or may not agree to this.
What happens if you are on benefits and you can’t afford to pay a court fine?
If you are receiving benefits, in particular, Income Support you can apply for nominal repayments to be deducted from your benefits. The courts should have been aware that you were on benefits when the court fines were given so will set a reasonable court fine amount. If your circumstances change after the court fine was given you must contact the courts and inform them you are now on benefits.
What happens if a court fine isn’t paid?
If an offender has difficulties paying a fine, they should contact the court. It is important an offender keeps a court informed of any changes in their financial circumstances. They should also speak to a solicitor.
If someone doesn’t pay a fine, the court can try and get payment in other ways. These include:
- Further court hearings
- Clamping and possibly selling an offender’s car
- Taking money from an offender’s wages or benefits
- Bailiffs coming to an offender’s home to seize possessions
- In extreme cases where a person continues to not pay they may receive a prison sentence.
If you have received a court fine or are having problems paying a court fine please call the advice team or apply online.
