Summary Justice Reform

Fines & Financial Penalties.

The Scottish Parliament has approved a radical package of changes to fines collection and enforcement, to be implemented later this year. Changes that will see swifter action against those who fail to pay fines. A package of measures that is firm and fair, and will:

  • Increase confidence in the court system to apply quick and efficient sanctions against those who fail to pay fines.
  • Increase confidence in the fine as a deterrent.
  • Free up court time for more serious criminal cases.
  • Free up police time in executing warrants for unpaid fines.
Key to these changes is direct enforcement action by Fines Enforcement Officers (FEOs) against those who try to play the system by avoiding paying their fines. Sanctions which will be available to FEOs include:
  • Deductions from benefits, and earnings.
  • Seizure and sale of motor vehicles.
  • Freezing of bank accounts.
FEOs will have access to specially developed IT systems making it easier to track non-payers who move around the country.

  • FEOs will also provide advice and information to those having genuine difficulty in paying their fines.
  • And new payment methods will make it easier to pay

Fully trained FEOs, drawn mainly from the ranks of existing fines support staff, are expected to be in place across Scotland by December 2007.