Fine collection rates returning towards pre-Covid levels

Collection rates of fines imposed in Scotland’s courtrooms are recovering towards pre-pandemic levels, according to a new report.

Details are given in the Quarterly Fines Report 49 from the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS).

The three-year collection rates for all fine/penalty types show improvement for both value and number when the figures as at April 19, 2021, are compared with those from three months later.

The three-year rate for sheriff court fines by value paid, or on track to be paid, has risen to 90 per cent and the justice of the peace court rate to 89 per cent, both up by one percentage point.

The rates for fiscal penalties and police fixed penalties by value paid, or on track, have risen to 78 per cent (up two percentage points) and 82 per cent (up one point) respectively.

QFR 49 also introduces a further enhancement to the bulletin with publication of the national figures for confiscation orders. As at July 19 this year, 83 per cent of the value of confiscation orders imposed between April 1, 2017, and March 31, 2021, had been paid.

For this same period, the number of confiscation orders fully paid was 84 per cent.

Confiscation orders are outwith the scope of the administrative SCTS fines enforcement process and general enquiries about proceeds of crime and confiscation orders should be directed to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

Figures on collection of the victim surcharge also show continuing progress with more than £190,800 now collected. This amounts to 78 per cent of the value of these penalties having been paid.

The victim surcharge penalty was introduced by the Scottish Government at the end of 2019 on fines relating to offences committed on or after November 25, 2019.

The overall collection performance reflects continuing and targeted action by fines enforcement officers. However, SCTS says it has recognised that individuals face the very real risk of suffering significant financial hardship during the pandemic “and has focused on fines collection measures that also enable officers to provide information, advice and support to customers who are struggling to maintain their payments”.

Liability to pay fines remains, however, and SCTS says failure to engage with fines officers will result in enforcement action. Customers can pay easily using 24/7 online and telephone payment channels.

SCTS executive director of court operations David Fraser said: “These figures show reassuring progress in recovery from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic with continuing rises recorded in the report.

“We recognise the impact that coronavirus can have on fines payers, however, and we are maintaining additional support, with information and advice, to take account of that. The strong rates over time, evident in this report, show that our processes and systems are maintaining efficient collection.

“We will employ robust sanctions against offenders who we are satisfied have failed to pay without reasonable excuse. The message to fines customers remains clear – continue to pay your fines or seek advice if you are struggling. Doing nothing is not an option.”

Most fines can be paid round the clock at www.scotcourts.gov.uk/taking-action/pay-a-fine or using the automated telephone payment system by phoning 0300 790 0003.

Only fines which involve the endorsement of a driving record cannot be paid electronically at the moment. For those penalties that cannot be paid using the online or phone payment systems, customers can post payments to Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, Central Processing Unit, PO Box 23, Glasgow, G59 9DA.