Fine Collection and Enforcement Service

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This page provides information on the Fine Collection and Enforcement Service

Introduction

Fine Collection and Enforcement Service (FCS) came into operation on 1 June 2018. We are part of the NI Courts and Tribunals Service and are responsible for the recovery of outstanding financial penalties. The team is made up of dedicated collection officers who will provide advice to debtors and collect/enforce outstanding financial penalties imposed (or registered) by criminal court where a collection order has been made and where the monies owed have not been paid by the due date as directed by the Court.

These outstanding fines will be transferred to FCS for recovery the day following the due date and a reminder letter and / or text message will issue to advise the debtor that the outstanding fine remains enforceable and is now with FCS for collection.

These collection and enforcement arrangements will apply to outstanding unpaid court-imposed fines, compensation orders, offender levy, costs imposed by courts, fixed penalties and penalty notices, fines transferred from other jurisdictions and juror fines. They will not apply to confiscation orders.

How to pay your fine?

If you have had a fine imposed and it has not yet passed its payment due date you can pay using the following options:-

Online

When making payment you will need your case reference number and your online account number. Payments can be made online using a debit or credit card at

Courts and Tribunals online services (external link opens in a new window / tab)

Telephone

Using a debit or credit card call 0300 200 7812 you will need your case reference number

Cheque

or alternatively send a crossed cheque including your case reference and name made payable to 'NI Courts and Tribunals Service' to

Customer Service Centre
PO Box 256
Londonderry
BT48 4AP

If your payment due date has passed and you have received a reminder letter from FCS you can pay using the following options:-

Online

When making payment you will need your case reference number and your online account number. Payments can be made online using a debit or credit card at

Courts and Tribunals online services (external link opens in a new window / tab)

Telephone

Using a debit or credit card call 028 90728802 you will need your case reference number

Cheque

or alternatively send a crossed cheque including your case reference and name made payable to 'NI Courts and Tribunals Service' to

Fine Collection and Enforcement Service (FCS)
Ground Floor
Laganside House
23-27 Oxford Street
Belfast
BT1 3LA

Cash

Cash payments can either be made at the FCS counter located above or your local court office. Please ensure you have your case reference number.

Difficulty making payment

If you have received a reminder letter from FCS and are having difficulty in paying the outstanding financial penalty, have any questions about making payments or you need further time to pay, you should contact the Fine Collection and Enforcement Service immediately as per contact details below.

FCS Powers of Recovery

provision for improved access to benefit, income and vehicle ownership information for the purposes of collection and enforcement
ability for collection officers to agree instalment orders or additional time to pay with debtors
deduction of payments from a debtor’s income from either earnings or relevant welfare benefits
powers to access bank accounts and seize vehicles of wilful defaulters
revised powers to use supervised activity orders (SAO) to allow debtors to complete unpaid work in the community to clear a financial penalty

Relevant legislation

New powers for the collection and enforcement of financial penalties are enabled through new legislative provisions contained in:

Fine Collection and Enforcement Statutory Guidance

Statutory guidance has been produced in accordance with section 26 of the Justice Act (NI) 2016. This guidance explains the collection order and its operation, the role of the collection officer, what penalties are included, the collection and enforcement orders, court powers, offences and appeals. Collection Officer must have regard to this guidance when carrying out their duties.

Fine collection and enforcement statutory guidance

Contact Fine Collection and Enforcement Service

Fine Collection and Enforcement Service (FCS)
Ground Floor
Laganside House
23-27 Oxford Street
Belfast
BT1 3LA

Telephone: 028 9072 8802

Email fcs@courtsni.gov.uk

Fine Collection and Enforcement Service – FAQ’s

How can I pay/what are my payment options?

If you have received a reminder letter from FCS, you can pay your fine over the telephone with FCS, online using the online payment reference provided, in person at a court office or in person with FCS in Laganside House.

Can I set up a payment plan/request an extension of time to pay?

Yes. However, a payment plan or time extension can only be set up with FCS once the payment terms recorded on the court’s collection order have defaulted and you have received a reminder letter from FCS. The collection officer will require information on your means to set up an appropriate payment plan. An initial payment must be made before any payment plan or time extension is granted.

Payment terms should be a maximum of 12 months for court-imposed fines and 6 months for fixed penalties.

Can I pay by direct debit?

No. If you have agreed to a payment plan you can set up a standing order with your bank. The details of how to set this up will be outlined in your payment terms letter.

What is the statutory time limit for collection of an unpaid fine?

There is no time limit for the collection of an unpaid fine. NICTS have an ongoing Legacy project whereby fines pre-dating 1 June 2018 which remain unpaid are being pursued for payment by FCS.

What happens if I don’t pay my fine?

If FCS recovery methods are unsuccessful your case will be referred back to the originating court for review. You will receive a summons for this hearing.

The judge may order you to pay the costs of the referral hearing, for example the summons serving costs. The judge can use all the collection methods, make a supervised activity order or sentence you to prison.

Can I appeal my fine?

Court Imposed Fines

The defendant can lodge an appeal against: -

a) The court’s decision to convict him/her of committing the offence(s) charged (after hearing the evidence); and/or

b) The sentence/order imposed on him/her relating to the said offence(s).

The defendant must serve their Notice of Appeal on the Clerk of Petty Sessions and the prosecuting authorities within 14 calendar days of the Magistrates’ Court decision. A court fee applies.

Application to lodge an appeal out of time (after the 14 days) can be made at any time to the appropriate County Court to extend the time that he/she is permitted to lodge an appeal.

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