Commentary on Sections Part 1.Fines and Other Penalties: Enforcement Chapter 1: Collection of Fines Etc. Section 16: Enquiries into debtor’s means
This Section requires the court to request information from the debtor before making an order for an application for deductions from benefits (Section 16(1)). The Section sets out what kinds of information the court may request from the debtor, namely his name, address, date of birth, National Insurance number and benefits information (Section 16(1)).
Furthermore the Section creates offences of non-compliance with the court’s request for information, either by failing to provide the information (Section 16(2)), or by providing false information knowingly or recklessly, or failing to disclose a material fact (Section 16(3)).