Courts Act 2003

Functions of fines officer in relation to defaulters: referral or further steps notice E+W

37 [F1 (1) This paragraph applies if— E+W

(a) P is in default on a collection order,

(b) paragraph 26 does not apply, and

(c) none of the following is pending—

[F2 (i) an application to a fines officer under paragraph 31 (application for variation of reserve terms) that was made at a time when P was not in default on the collection order;

(ii) an appeal under paragraph 32 against a decision of a fines officer on an application described in sub-paragraph (i);]

(iii) a reference under paragraph 42 (power of fines officer to refer case to magistrates' court).]

[F3 (1A) This paragraph also applies if—

(a) a person (“P”) is in default on a notice of conviction and penalty (within the meaning of section 16L of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980), and

(b) paragraph 26 does not apply.]

F4 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F4 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F4 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F4 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) The fines officer must—

(a) refer P’s case to the magistrates' court, or

(b) deliver to P a notice (a “further steps notice”) that he intends to take one or more of the steps listed in paragraph 38.

(7) Any steps that the fines officer [F5 wishes to be able] to take must be specified in the notice.

(8) A further steps notice must be in writing and dated.

(9) P may, within 10 working days from the date of the further steps notice, appeal to the magistrates' court against it.

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 5 para. 37(1) substituted (3.7.2006) by The Collection of Fines (Final Scheme) Order (S.I. 2006/1737), arts. 1, 25(a)

F2 Sch. 5 para. 37(1)(c)(i)(ii) substituted (13.4.2015) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), ss. 56(6), 95(1); S.I. 2015/778, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 46

F3 Sch. 5 para. 37(1A) inserted (7.11.2023) by Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (c. 35), s. 51(4), Sch. 2 para. 3(10); S.I. 2023/1194, reg. 2(e)

F4 Sch. 5 para. 37(2)-(5) omitted (3.7.2006) by virtue of The Collection of Fines (Final Scheme) Order (S.I. 2006/1737), arts. 1, 25(b)

F5 Words in Sch. 5 para. 37(7) substituted (8.4.2013) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 88(3), 151(1); S.I. 2013/453, art. 4(a)

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 5 para. 37 wholly in force at 5.4.2004; Sch. 5 para. 37 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 110(1)(2); Sch. 5 para. 37 in force for certain purposes at 23.2.2004 by S.I. 2004/174, art. 4(a); Sch. 5 para. 37 in force for certain further purposes at 29.3.2004 by S.I. 2004/174, art. 4(b); Sch. 5 para. 37 in force for all purposes at 5.4.2004 by S.I. 2004/174, art. 4(c)