The prescribed sum is the maximum

fine Fine may refer to: Characters * Fran Fine, the title character of ''The Nanny'' * Sylvia Fine (''The Nanny''), Fran's mother on ''The Nanny'' * Officer Fine, a character in ''Tales from the Crypt'', played by Vincent Spano Legal terms * Fine (p ...

that may be imposed on

summary conviction A summary offence or petty offence is a violation in some common law jurisdictions that can be proceeded against summarily, without the right to a jury trial and/or indictment (required for an indictable offence). Canada In Canada, summary offe ...

of certain offences in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

. In England and Wales and Northern Ireland, it is now equivalent to level 5 on the

standard scale The standard scale is a system in Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth law whereby financial Criminal law, criminal penalties (Fine (penalty), fines) in legislation have maximum levels set against a standard scale. Then, when inflation makes it nec ...

, which it predates. In

Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...

, it is now equal to twice level 5 on the standard scale.

England and Wales

The prescribed sum is defined b
section 32(9)
of the

Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 The Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It is a consolidation act.The Public General Acts and General Synod Measures 1980. HMSO. London. . Part IV. Pages ''i'', ''j'' and i. It codifies the p ...

. It can be altered under section 143(1) of that Act. It was previously defined by section 28(7) of the

Criminal Law Act 1977 The Criminal Law Act 1977 (c. 45) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Most of it only applies to England and Wales. It creates the offence of conspiracy in English law. It also created offences concerned with criminal trespass i ...

. It could be altered under section 61(1) of that Act. The prescribed sum, within the meaning of the said section 32, may be referred to in legislation as the "statutory maximum".

Scotland

The prescribed sum is defined b
section 225(8)
of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995. The prescribed sum was defined b
section 289B(6)
of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975. The prescribed sum, within the meaning of the said section 225(8), may be referred to in legislation as the "statutory maximum".

Northern Ireland

The prescribed sum is defined b
article 4(8)
of the Fines and Penalties (Northern Ireland) Order 1984 (S.I. 1984/703 (N.I. 3)). It can be altered under article 17 of that Order. The prescribed sum, within the meaning of the said article 4, may be referred to in legislation as the "statutory maximum".The

Interpretation Act 1978 The Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The act makes provision for the interpretation of acts of Parliament, Measures of the General Synod of the Church of England, Measures of the Church Asse ...

, section 5 and Schedule 1 (as amended by the

Criminal Justice Act 1988 The Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Title The title of this Act is: Unduly lenient sentences In England and Wales, the Act allows anybody to ask the Attorney General's Office for a sent ...

, section 170(1) and Schedule 15, paragraph 58(b))

References

{{English criminal law navbox English criminal law