UK data sharing arrangements is key to delivering further improvements in fine collection.
Since the Scottish Court Service (SCS) took responsibility for fines collection in 2008, overall fines rates have improved considerably and are now at consistently high levels. Our most recent fines report shows that 85% of the value of sheriff court fines imposed over the three year period from 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2014 has either been paid or is on track to be paid. The report also shows that more than £69 million of the value of all penalties due to be paid has been paid or is on track to be paid in instalments.
The SCS pursues all unpaid fines through enforcement action which includes clamping cars, and deducting payment directly from benefits, savings or wages.
“Our commitment to enforcing payment at all levels is having a significant impact,” says Chief Operations Officer Cliff Binning. “Naturally, it takes time to collect fines as it is only when defaulters fail to make payment that enforcement measures are used. But that certainly does not mean defaulters can escape payment. We vigorously pursue all unpaid fines.”
The SCS is continuing to improve enforcement activities and are currently pursuing data sharing arrangements with other government bodies. This will enable us to track a defaulter who moves from benefits into work through DWP information, and also access DVLA records in order to speed up car clamping enforcement.
For those in genuine difficulty, our fines enforcement officers can also advise on maintaining payment plans.
“Our officers take all practical steps to recover outstanding financial penalties, however, in order to manage our cases, it is necessary and appropriate that we direct resources with maximum efficiency and for that reason we have a procedure for archiving aged fines in certain circumstances. Enforcement can be reactivated whenever new information becomes available and our request for UK data sharing arrangements is the key to delivering further improvements.”
Collection Rates
Our latest quarterly fines report was published on 27 November and can be found here. http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/about-the-scottish-court-service/reports-data.
Sheriff Court Imposed Fines - Recovery of sheriff court imposed fines has been consistently high. The report shows that 85% of the value of fines imposed in the three years to March 2014 has been paid or is on track to be paid by instalments.
Justice Of The Peace Court Imposed Fines - For those fines imposed during the 2011-12 financial year 89% of the value of fines has been paid or is on track to be paid by instalments.
Direct Measure Fines – For those fines imposed during the 2011-12 financial year 78% of the value of fiscal fines and 74% of the value of Police Anti-social Behaviour FPN’s has been paid or is on track to be paid by instalments.