Speeding fine removal notice

[Crotalid]

Hi, I've just had a Marstons enforment officer come to my house with a removal notice.

Asking for me to pay £390 for an unpaid speeding fine from 2011...

Firstly, I sent off a cheque for that to be paid the day after i got the ticket, along with my driving license which was endorsed in July 2011.

My fault obviously, i should have checked whether payment was taken or not, and sent the payment signed for. But i haven't heard anything since 2011 about it until this morning. I'm an unemployed student, so i'm not paying £390 for something i haven't even been notified of previously.

What do i do now? Do i ask for the contact details for the court in question and write to them about it?

[ploddertom]

Re: Speeding fine removal notice

Have you checked to see if your payment was cashed? I assume the fine was for £90 the other £300 is Marstons fees made up of £85 Admin fee + £215 for their Enforcement/Visit Fee.

[Crotalid]

Re: Speeding fine removal notice

Have you checked to see if your payment was cashed? I assume the fine was for £90 the other £300 is Marstons fees made up of £85 Admin fee + £215 for their Enforcement/Visit Fee.

I've just checked with the bank now, and no nothing was taken. You would've thought in nearly two years i would've heard something about it.

I'm not sure on the fees, all it states is that i owe £390.

What should i do? Should i tell Marstons i am writing to the council and want a breakdown of fees? As i've read that they aren't allowed to charge anything themselves.

Thanks.

[ploddertom]

Re: Speeding fine removal notice

This is not the Council, it will be a Magistrates Court Fine. There is an agreement between HMCTS & Marstons to charge the fee previously mentioned but it has not yet been established properly whether the debtor does have to pay, you have to decide that for yourself but present opinion is to pay until proved otherwise.

[wales01man]

Re: Speeding fine removal notice

How come they endorsed the licence and never cashed cheque they must go together?

[Crotalid]

Re: Speeding fine removal notice

This is not the Council, it will be a Magistrates Court Fine. There is an agreement between HMCTS & Marstons to charge the fee previously mentioned but it has not yet been established properly whether the debtor does have to pay, you have to decide that for yourself but present opinion is to pay until proved otherwise.

Ok thanks. I can't afford to pay £390, considering I live off my student loan.

Surely I can contest this by writing to the Magistrates Court? I've never received anything prior to this, so it seems a bit extreme that after nearly two years, suddenly someone turns up and states if I don't pay it, I will be issued with an arrest warrant.

How come they endorsed the licence and never cashed cheque they must go together?

I have no idea. I cannot remember whether I sent them separately or together with it being nearly two years ago, but I wouldn't have thought they would be allowed to return my license without payment.

[ploddertom]

Re: Speeding fine removal notice

Have you moved since the offence was committed? Have you received a Further Steps Notice from the Court prior to the involvement of the Bailiff - this is a legal requirement?

[bluebottle]

Re: Speeding fine removal notice

Have you spoken to the HMCTS Area Enforcement Manager (AEM) at the court that imposed the fine? This needs to be done asap.

[Crotalid]

Re: Speeding fine removal notice

Have you moved since the offence was committed? Have you received a Further Steps Notice from the Court prior to the involvement of the Bailiff - this is a legal requirement?

Nope, always been at the same place. I've never received a further steps notice, I would also assume this would be 'signed for' would it not? And even then, that cannot be the first step after them not receiving payment? I think after the 28 days it rises to £90, i would've expected a letter outlining that payment hasn't been received and to make it as soon as possible.

[Crotalid]

Re: Speeding fine removal notice

Have you spoken to the HMCTS Area Enforcement Manager (AEM) at the court that imposed the fine? This needs to be done asap.

Hi, I have just emailed the correct fixed penalty office, so hopefully they can give me some answers. Thanks.

[bluebottle]

Re: Speeding fine removal notice

Another HMCTS foul-up by the sound it. Contact the AEM at the court today, if possible. This needs sorting before the neanderthal returns.

[Crotalid]

Re: Speeding fine removal notice

Another HMCTS foul-up by the sound it. Contact the AEM at the court today, if possible. This needs sorting before the neanderthal returns.

Yeah I've contacted the right department, and i've notified the bailiff and he's fine with that. I can't phone them as i'm in lectures till 6 pm today. But will call them tomorrow lunch time.

I am reading all over the internet at the moment that i should be able to just pay the £90, and i don't have to pay Marstons fees. As the debt will be settled with the HMCTS.

[bluebottle]

Re: Speeding fine removal notice

Yeah I've contacted the right department, and i've notified the bailiff and he's fine with that. I can't phone them as i'm in lectures till 6 pm today. But will call them tomorrow lunch time.

I am reading all over the internet at the moment that i should be able to just pay the £90, and i don't have to pay Marstons fees. As the debt will be settled with the HMCTS.

Makes you wonder if the bailiff or Marston HQ have read this thread and decided to behave themselves.

[Crotalid]

Re: Speeding fine removal notice

Right, i have spoken to the magistrates and they say they can't do anything about it now. I said to her i never received a final steps letter etc, but she said i don't have a choice and i have to pay Marstons and the matter is with them. This is ridiculous, i haven't heard anything in two years and then all of a sudden i am expected to pay £390.

[bluebottle]

Re: Speeding fine removal notice

Right, i have spoken to the magistrates and they say they can't do anything about it now. I said to her i never received a final steps letter etc, but she said i don't have a choice and i have to pay Marstons and the matter is with them. This is ridiculous, i haven't heard anything in two years and then all of a sudden i am expected to pay £390.

Escalate the matter to the HMCTS RCM (Regional Contracts Manager) if the HMCTS AEM (Area Enforcement Manager) is behaving like a muppet. The next step after the RCM is one of the Heads of Enforcement Operations at HMCTS. That, however, is a last resort.