Financial punishments
Section 249: Fixing of fines
497.This section requires a court or CO, when fixing a fine in respect of a service offence, to inquire into the offender’s financial circumstances; to determine what those circumstances are; to take account of those circumstances (whether that means increasing or reducing the fine) and the circumstances of the case; and to ensure that the amount of the fine reflects the seriousness of the offence. Section 249 reflects section 164 of the 2003 Act.
Section 250: Determination of service compensation order
498.A court or CO is required to have regard to the offender’s financial circumstances when deciding whether to make a service compensation order, and, if so, for what amount. If the offender cannot afford to pay both a fine and compensation, compensation must be given priority. The section reflects part of section 130 of the Sentencing Act.
Section 251: Power to allow payment of fine or service compensation order by instalments
499.This section allows a court or CO imposing a fine or a service compensation order to make a further order allowing time to pay, or directing payment by instalments. If no order is made when the fine or compensation order is imposed, the offender can apply to the Court Martial for such an order at a later date. An offender can also apply to the Court Martial for the variation of such an order. But, where the fine or compensation order was awarded by a CO and the offender is a regular serviceman, a volunteer reservist or an ex-regular subject to an additional duties commitment, applications must be made instead to his CO.
