Reducing debt from unpaid criminal financial penalties 2025
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the purposes of reducing debt from unpaid criminal financial penalties was agreed and put in place in 2025.
Applies to Scotland
Documents
Details
This agreement is published as part of the Code of Practice for public authorities disclosing information under chapters 1, 3 and 4 (Public Service Delivery, Debt and Fraud) of part 5 of the Digital Economy Act 2017.
The purpose of this data share is to provide Scottish Courts and Tribunal Services (SCTS) Fines Enforcement Officers (FEO) with information that may allow them to: - proactively engage with fine payers to offer them information and advice allowing them to maintain responsibility for complying with any agreed payment plans - apply sanctions to deal with wilful default allowing criminal penalties to be collected on a more timely and efficient basis
The benefits to SCTS include: consistent approach to fines, reduced debt owed to government, improved support to fine payers, increased efficiency, and reduced number of fines enquiry hearings.