Fined by the court without an ascertainment of means



If a court fined you without determining your financial means, ask the court to withdraw the warrant[1] which ceases the enforcement power[2] and ask to be means-tested.[3]

The court can set a smaller amount[4] or decide not to fine you at all.[5]

Download and complete a means test form MC100[6] and send it to the sentencing court and give the bailiff company a notice.


Tell the court you were fined without an ascertainment of means and enclose a form MC100, and copy the letter by email to the bailiff company.

Template Letter

Send the MC100 and the letter to the sentencing court and get a certificate of posting from the post office.

Send a copy of the letter only by text message to the bailiff to his mobile and make a screenshot of the sent text message to record the date you gave it.

Never give a form MC100 to a bailiff company, they are unauthorised to means-test defendants.





[1] Section 88(8) of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012
[2] Paragraph 6(3) of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
[3] Section 164(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003
[4] Section 165(2)(a) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003
[5] Section 165(2)(a) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003
[6] Form MC100 download