The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service has recovered more than £1.75 million directly from benefits towards unpaid fines during the past year as part of our enforcement strategy.
A report released today shows that collection rates remain strong with 87% of the value of sheriff court fines imposed between April, 2011 and March, 2014, either being paid or on track to be paid through instalments.
As well as deducting money from benefits, the SCTS recovers payment directly from wages and savings. Car owners can also see their vehicles clamped.
“We have a dedicated fines enforcement team and we pursue every outstanding fine,” says Acting SCTS Chief Operations Officer David Fraser. “In the past year we have secured more than £1.75M directly from benefits to pay outstanding fines. We can also approach your employer or your bank to take payment directly from earnings or savings. And, if your car is clamped, significant additional costs will need to be paid before you can to retrieve it. Non-payment just isn’t worth it.”
All defaulters are issued warnings before action is taken and those in genuine financial difficulty can engage with enforcement officers to discuss payment terms.
Most fines can be paid on our website at www.scotcourts.gov.uk/payyourfine. Only fines which involve the endorsement of a driving licence with penalty points cannot be paid electronically including some police traffic tickets and penalties issued by the Safety Camera Partnerships for speeding or running a red light. In these instances offenders can post their licence to: The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, Central Processing Unit, PO Box 23, Glasgow, G59 9DA or take it in person to any Scottish court.
Notes:
- A copy of the most recent SCTS Quarterly Fines Report is available at: http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/about-the-scottish-court-service/reports-data.
- Many fines are paid by instalments over the course of two or more years which will affect collection rate figures.
- Most of the money collected through fines payment is sent to the UK Treasury under devolution arrangements set up within the Scotland Act 1998.
Contact: communications@scotcourts.gov.uk