# The Criminal Procedure Rules 2025, Rule 30.5: Application to reduce a fine, vary payment terms or remit a courts charge

Extent: E+W

(1) This rule applies where—
(a) the defendant wants the court to remit the whole or any part of a fine;
(b) no collection order is in force and the defendant wants the court to vary payment terms; or
(c) the defendant, a fines officer or an enforcement agent wants the court to remit a criminal courts charge.
(2) Unless the court otherwise directs, such a defendant, fines officer or enforcement agent must—
(a) apply in writing;
(b) serve the application on the court officer;
(c) if the application is to remit a fine or vary payment terms, explain—
(i) what relevant circumstances have not yet been considered by the court, and
(ii) why the fine should be remitted, or the payment terms varied; and
(d) if the application is to remit a criminal courts charge, explain—
(i) how the circumstances meet the time limits and other conditions in section 50 of the Sentencing Act 2020, and
(ii) why the charge should be remitted.
(3) The court may determine an application—
(a) at a hearing, which may be in public or in private; or
(b) without a hearing.
[Note. See sections 75, 85 and 85A of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 and sections 50 and 127 of the Sentencing Act 2020.
Under section 46 of the 2020 Act, a court must, at the times listed in sections 44 and 45 of that Act, order a defendant convicted of an offence to pay a charge in respect of relevant court costs. Under section 50 of the Act, a magistrates’ court may remit the whole or part of such a charge, but—
(a) the court may do so only if it is satisfied that—
(i) the defendant has taken all reasonable steps to pay the charge, having regard to his or her personal circumstances, or
(ii) collection and enforcement of the charge is impracticable;
(b) the court may not do so at a time when the defendant is in prison; and
(c) the court may not do so unless the periods specified by regulations under section 21E all have expired.]

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/909/rule/30.5 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/criminal-procedure-rules-2025/rule-30.5
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.