Priority Debt: Court Fines
If you have unpaid court fines, they are treated as a priority debt. This means they should be paid before non-priority debts like credit cards or unsecured loans. If you cannot keep up with payments, there are steps you can take, and we can help.
Court fines
If you have been fined by a court and are struggling to pay, it is important to deal with it quickly. Court fines are a priority debt, which means they are treated as more urgent than debts like credit cards or unsecured loans. Ignoring a court fine can lead to serious enforcement action, but there are things you can do.
What can happen if you do not pay
The court has several methods to recover the money if you do not pay your fine or miss an instalment:
- Bailiff action. The court can issue a warrant of control, allowing bailiffs (enforcement agents) to visit your home to collect payment or seize goods to be sold at auction. Bailiffs can charge significant fees for letters and visits, which are added to your debt. They may force entry only as a last resort for criminal fines.
- Wage or benefit deductions. Money can be taken directly from your salary through an Attachment of Earnings Order, or from your Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits.
- Asset freezing. A Third-Party Debt Order can freeze money in your bank account to cover the debt.
- Charging orders. If you own property, the court can place a charge against it, ensuring the debt is paid when the property is sold.
- Prison. In extreme cases, if the court believes you are deliberately refusing to pay, you could face a prison sentence.
What you can do
Do not ignore a court fine. The situation will get worse as fees and interest are added.
- Contact the court. If your financial circumstances have changed, you can apply for a remission of the fine (writing it off in full or in part) or ask to pay in smaller instalments.
- Check your balance. You can contact the collection or revenue unit of the court where you were convicted to check your outstanding balance.
- Get free advice. Contact our debt adviser for help with your court fine and any other debts you are dealing with.
Get help
Dealing with a court fine can be stressful, especially if you are already struggling with money. You do not have to face it alone.
- Email us at info@youthlegal.org.uk
- Call us on 020 3195 1906
- Fill in our [contact form](/contact-us) and we will get back to you
All our advice is free and confidential.