Northern Ireland Magistrates’ fines
The magistrates’ court in Northern Ireland deals with criminal matters. They deal with things like:
- Non-payment of TV licences
- Parking and traffic offences
- Criminal offences such as antisocial behaviour
Fines are the most common punishment given by the magistrates’ court. These fines are a priority debt because the consequences for non-payment can be serious.
Magistrates’ courts can issue liability orders for unpaid rates and child maintenance. The process for these is different to the criminal justice system.
How are magistrates' fines set?
The court could fine you if you are guilty of a criminal offence.
The amount charged depends on:
- How severe the offence is, and
- What your circumstances are
The court has the power to increase or reduce your fine based on what you can afford.
How is a court fine collected?
The court sends a 'notice of fine'. This tells you:
- How much to pay
- When to pay it
- Where to send the payment
The court can order the fine to be paid:
- Immediately
- In full by a fixed date
- In instalments
What should I do if I cannot afford my court fine?
If you find it hard to pay your court fine, you can:
- Ask for more time to pay
- Ask to pay the fine in instalments, or
- Ask for the instalments to be reduced if you cannot afford them
You can ask for more time to pay at any point if the fine is outstanding.
You must make this request before you miss a payment and the court takes further action.
You can make a request in writing by completing an ‘Application for Extension of Time to Pay’ form:
You can also make the request at a fine default hearing if you miss a payment.
The court has the power to reduce your fine if they accept you cannot afford to pay it. Request this the same way you ask for extra time to pay.
Make sure you show the court:
- Proof of your income or benefits
- A budget showing your financial situation
Use our online debt help tool for help putting this together.
There is a risk with these options that the court can take further action against you. This may include prison time.
What happens if I miss payments to a fine?
The court can set a fine default hearing if you miss a payment to your fine.
This lets you:
- Pay the fine in full, or
- Explain why you cannot afford it
The court has various powers to enforce the fine. They include:
An attachment of earnings or deduction from benefits
- The court takes money directly from your income
- The court sets the amount
Registration of the fine
- The fine appears on your credit file for five years
- This affects your ability to take out further credit
A warrant of committal
- This means the court could send you to prison
- A warrant of committal may be issued at the hearing
- The risk of being sent to prison is lower if you attend the hearing, as can ask for more time to pay the fine
Can I go to prison if I do not pay my fine?
The magistrate's court can issue a warrant for you to go to prison if you do not pay a criminal fine.
The length of the sentence depends on how much of the fine is left to pay.
You could be sent to prison when you are convicted, but only if:
- You can pay the fine, but refuse to
- You have not requested time to pay when the court asked if you would like to make an application
- You do not have a fixed address in Northern Ireland
- The court deems it appropriate
The court gives a written reason explaining why they are sending you to prison.
It is more common to be sent to prison for fines in Northern Ireland than in other areas of the UK.
This is because there are fewer ways to enforce payment of the fine.
How can you help?
We can help you make a budget to show the court what you can afford.
Use our online debt help tool to find ways to deal with debt.
All our advice is free and impartial.