HM Courts & Tribunals Service advice to debtors on unpaid historic fines
HMCTS provides advice to debtors who may receive a letter for unpaid historic fines.
In September 2016 HMCTS set up the Historic Debt Project to tackle outstanding debt which has accumulated over the years from unpaid criminal fines and financial orders where debtors could not previously be traced.
With the benefit of new intelligence and tracing tools, outstanding debts up to 10 years old are being pursued by a dedicated team in the HMCTS National Compliance and Enforcement Service.
Since the project commenced in September debtors across England and Wales have received letters and text messages from the Historic Debt Team about payment of fines and impositions for past offences. To date significant sums have been collected, including compensation owed to victims of crime.
The team will continue over the coming months to identify and enforce unpaid historic fines. If you have received a letter you should make immediate payment. If you have any concerns about a letter you have received please contact the Historic Debt Team who will be able to assist further. Information on how you can pay your fine will be included with the fines notice.
During March 2017 the Historic Debt Team have expanded their tracing activity to include outstanding debts over 10 years old. Debtors will now have received letters and text messages regarding payment.
If you have been contacted you should make immediate payment or contact the National Enforcement Service contact centre on 0300 123 9252.
Updates to this page
Published 1 February 2017Last updated 29 March 2017 + show all updates
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Update on progress 2017
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First published.