Commentary on Sections Schedule 16: Dealing non-custodially with offenders Part 3: Removal of limits on compensation orders made against adults
511.Part 3 makes changes to the current power of magistrates’ courts (in section 131 of the 2000 Act) to impose a compensation order on an offender who has caused personal injury, loss or damage to a victim. The maximum value of a single compensation order made by a magistrates’ court is currently £5,000. There is no limit on the value of a compensation order made by the Crown Court.
512.Paragraph 8 amends section 131 of the 2000 Act to provide that the current £5000 limit will only apply in the case of a compensation order imposed on a young offender (that is an offender under the age of 18). The effect of the amendment is that in future there will be no limit on the value of a single compensation order handed down to an adult offender by a magistrates’ court.
513.Paragraph 9 makes a consequential amendment to section 33B of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which concerns offences related to the deposit or disposal of waste. The amendment updates the reference to section 131 of the 2000 Act and makes it clear that section 131 will only apply in relation to young offenders.