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Fines Enforcement Officers The role & responsibilities - Q&A

What does a Fines Enforcement Officer (FEO) do?

A Fine Enforcement Officer has responsibility for:

  • Enforcing fines;
  • Giving advice to fine payers about how to make payments;
  • Supporting those who want to pay and are struggling;
  • Taking a range of actions against those who won't pay;
  • Making sure that fine payers keep to the terms of the Enforcement Order (EO); and
  • Making sure that fine payers know what will happen if they don't keep to the terms of the EO.

Importantly, the Fines Enforcement Officer can give help and advice to fine payers who are genuinely having difficulties in paying their fines.

What powers do Fines Enforcement Officers have?

A Fines Enforcement Officer can enforce payment of a fine by using a range of sanctions including:

  • Deduction from Benefits Orders (DBO);
  • Earnings Arrestment Orders (EAO);
  • Arrestment of Funds Orders (AFO); and
  • Seizure of Vehicle Orders (SVO).
I am struggling to pay my fine; can a Fines Enforcement Officer help me?

A Fines Enforcement Officer can discuss your circumstances and may make a variation in your payment plan or may direct you to outside agencies for advice about your fine and other debts.

Why do I have to fill in a Declaration of Income (DOI) form?

A Fine Enforcement Officer is responsible for collecting and analysing all information about your income and expenditure. This information will help a Fine Enforcement Officer to make the right decision about individual payment plans. The Declaration of Income form will help a Fine Enforcement Officer to agree a realistic payment plan with you. The information in the Declaration of Income form will also help the Justice of the Peace or Sheriff decide whether a fine is suitable in the first place.

Who can I contact?

Each Sheriffdom has a Fines Enforcement Team, please visit the contact page.

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