Explanatory Notes

Courts Act 2003

2003 CHAPTER 39

20 November 2003

Commentary

Fees, costs and fines

Section 97: Collection of fines and discharge of fines by unpaid work

251.Section 97 gives effect to Schedules 5 and 6 which specify the new powers available to the court and to fines officers, created by section 36, to enforce payment of fines. Section 97 also provides the Lord Chancellor with powers to introduce the arrangements for fines collection, and discharge of payment by unpaid work schemes set out in Schedules 5 and 6 as pilot schemes in specified local justice areas. It enables him to introduce a permanent scheme after completion of the pilots. The permanent scheme could be either one of the pilot schemes or a version that has been modified in the light of operational experience.