§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the crimes for which the maximum fine is determined by statute; and what is the level of the maximum in each case;
(2) if he will list the crimes for which the maximum penalty is £50,000 or over.
§ Mr. JackThere is no upper limit on the fine that the Crown court can impose for any offence triable on indictment for which the option of a fine is provided by statute.
The maximum fine which a magistrates court can impose is limited according to the offence committed. Where an offence is triable either in the magistrates court or on indictment the maximum fine is usually £5,000—the maximum fine normally available to magistrates. For summary offences, the maximum fine is specified in statute. In recent legislation, maximum fines are expressed as a level on the standard scale. The current values of these levels are: level 1, £200; level 2, £500; level 3, £1,000; level 4, £2,500; and level 5, £5,000.
Exceptionally, for a small number of offences, magistrates have the power to impose fines in excess of £5,000: the usual maximum for such offences is either £20,000 or £50,000 depending on the offence.
A comprehensive list of offences that fall into the above categories is not readily available and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.