Section 1: Application of Chapter
This Section defines the circumstances to which this Chapter applies and defines the meaning of certain terms used throughout the Chapter.
The provisions of the Chapter apply to fines and other sums adjudged to be paid on conviction as well as sums that are treated in law in the same way (Section 1(1) (a)) referred to as “sums due”. In effect this means that the provisions of the Chapter apply to fines, compensation orders, the offender levy, costs imposed by court, fixed penalties and penalty notices and any other sums that are subsequently registered or treated as court fines.
The provisions apply to any such sums due when imposed by courts in Northern Ireland, or where a court in Northern Ireland is responsible for their enforcement, for example, sums due as a result of their being transferred to Northern Ireland from Great Britain or by an EU Member State (Section 1(1)(b)).
The term “debtor” is used throughout the Chapter to refer to the person due to pay the sum imposed or being enforced by the Court.