HER MAJESTY’S COURT SERVICE and UNPAID FINES.

• About HMCS.
• What are Magistrate Court Fines?
• Which Bailiff companies can enforce the warrants?

ABOUT THE WARRANT.

• The importance of seeing a copy of the warrant.

UNPAID FINES: YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

• How can I check if the fees charged are correct?
• What happens in vulnerable situations?
• I can’t afford to pay my Magistrates Court fine.
• Can I be sent to prison for not paying my council tax?
• Can the bailiff force entry into my home?
• How do I complain about the Bailiffs?

ALL ABOUT CLAMPING ORDERS.

• Can my car be clamped and removed?
• What is a Clamping Order?
• Sale of the clamped vehicle.
• Does the bailiff need an SIA licence to clamp my car?
  

What happens in vulnerable situation?

Her Majesty’s Court Service has identified in their Contracts with their relevant bailiff companies the following group of people as being “vulnerable”. The bailiff must not take any action without first contacting the Magistrates Court for further instructions.

• Appears to suffer from severe physical or any mental disability.
• Is an elderly person who has difficulty dealing with his/her affairs.
• Is suffering long term sickness, serious or acute illness or frailty, which has resulted in a recent period of hospitalisation or defaulter being housebound and can provide evidence of sickness for the period of default.
• Has suffered a recent bereavement of close/immediate family member.
• Is heavily pregnant.
• Has a genuine communication problem.

                               or:

• Produces evidence to show the account has been paid.
• Claims to have made a Statutory Declaration, thereby setting aside the conviction.

If you consider that you would qualify as exempt as your circumstances are covered above, our advice would be to write immediately to the Court Manager to make them aware of your circumstances, or, if this is not possible, ask a relative etc to do this on your behalf. Please ensure that you retain a copy of the letter as proof in the event that the bailiff visits…it is important that you send your letter by registered post.

If you are "vulnerable" as detailed above, and the bailiff or his company refuse to cease enforcement, it is advised that you consider making a formal complaint. Full details are provided about this in the section entitled "How to complain about the Bailiff"  which you will find on the left side of this page.