Part 2E+WConfiscation: England and Wales

Enforcement as fines etcE+W

35 [F1Enforcement as fines ]E+W

(1)This section applies if a court—

(a)makes a confiscation order, and

F2(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2)[F3Sections 129(1) to (3) and (5) and 132(1) to (4) of the Sentencing Code] (functions of court as to fines and enforcing fines) apply as if the amount ordered to be paid were a fine imposed on the defendant by the court making the confiscation order.

[F4(2A)Where a court is fixing a term of imprisonment or detention under [F5section 129(3) of the Sentencing Code] (as applied by subsection (2) above) in respect of an amount ordered to be paid under a confiscation order, the maximum terms are those specified in the second column of the Table for amounts described in the corresponding entry in the first column.

(2B)In the application of [F6subsection (2) of section 129 of the Sentencing Code] by virtue of subsection (2) above, the reference to [F7subsections (3) to (5)] of that section is to be read as a reference to—

(a)[F8subsections (3) and (5)] of that section, and

(b)subsection (2A) above.

(2C)The Secretary of State may by order—

(a)amend subsection (2A) so as to provide for minimum terms of imprisonment or detention under [F9section 129(3) of the Sentencing Code] (as applied by subsection (2) above) in respect of amounts ordered to be paid under a confiscation order;

(b)amend the Table in subsection (2A) so as to remove, alter or replace any entry (including an entry inserted by virtue of the power in paragraph (a) of this subsection) or to add any entry.]

(3)In the application of Part 3 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (c. 43) to an amount payable under a confiscation order—

(a)ignore section 75 of that Act (power to dispense with immediate payment);

(b)such an amount is not a sum adjudged to be paid by a conviction for the purposes of section 81 (enforcement of fines imposed on young offenders) or a fine for the purposes of section 85 (remission of fines) of that Act;

(c)in section 87 of that Act ignore subsection (3) (inquiry into means).

F1036 Director appointed as enforcement authorityE+W

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F1137 Director’s application for enforcementE+W

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38 Provisions about imprisonment or detentionE+W

(1)Subsection (2) applies if—

(a)a warrant committing the defendant to prison or detention is issued for a default in payment of an amount ordered to be paid under a confiscation order in respect of an offence or offences, and

(b)at the time the warrant is issued the defendant is liable to serve a term of custody in respect of the offence (or any of the offences).

(2)In such a case the term of imprisonment or of detention under section 108 of [F12the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000] (detention of persons aged 18 to 20 for default) to be served in default of payment of the amount does not begin to run until after the term mentioned in subsection (1)(b) above.

(3)The reference in subsection (1)(b) to the term of custody the defendant is liable to serve in respect of the offence (or any of the offences) is a reference to the term of imprisonment, or detention in a young offender institution, which he is liable to serve in respect of the offence (or any of the offences).

(4)For the purposes of subsection (3) consecutive terms and terms which are wholly or partly concurrent must be treated as a single term and the following must be ignored—

(a)any sentence suspended under [F13section 264 or 277 of the Sentencing Code] which has not taken effect at the time the warrant is issued;

(b)in the case of a sentence of imprisonment passed with an order under section 47(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977 (c. 45) (sentences of imprisonment partly served and partly suspended) any part of the sentence which the defendant has not at that time been required to serve in prison;

(c)any term of imprisonment or detention fixed under [F14section 129(3) of the Sentencing Code] (term to be served in default of payment of fine etc) for which a warrant committing the defendant to prison or detention has not been issued at that time.

(5)If the defendant serves a term of imprisonment or detention in default of paying any amount due under a confiscation order, his serving that term does not prevent the confiscation order from continuing to have effect so far as any other method of enforcement is concerned.

39 Reconsideration etc: variation of prison termE+W

(1)Subsection (2) applies if—

(a)a court varies a confiscation order under section 21, 22, 23, 29, 32 or 33,

(b)the effect of the variation is to vary the maximum period applicable in relation to the order under [F15section 35(2A)], and

(c)the result is that that maximum period is less than the term of imprisonment or detention fixed in respect of the order under [F16section 129(3) of the Sentencing Code].

(2)In such a case the court must fix a reduced term of imprisonment or detention in respect of the confiscation order under [F17section 129(3) of the Sentencing Code] in place of the term previously fixed.

(3)Subsection (4) applies if paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) apply but paragraph (c) does not.

(4)In such a case the court may amend the term of imprisonment or detention fixed in respect of the confiscation order under [F18section 129(3) of the Sentencing Code].

(5)If the effect of section 12 is to increase the maximum period applicable in relation to a confiscation order under [F19section 35(2A)], on the application of the [F20prosecutor] the Crown Court may amend the term of imprisonment or detention fixed in respect of the order under [F21section 129(3) of that Code].

F22(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .