Michael Gove has scrapped the criminal courts charge after widespread calls for the controversial fees to be abolished.
The charges, introduced while Chris Grayling was Justice Secretary, came into force in April and were designed to ensure that criminals contributed to the costs of running the justice system.
Those convicted by a magistrates’ court face charges of £150 if they plead guilty or up to £520 if they plead not-guilty. The fee for a Crown Court appearance can reach £1,200.
Judges do not have discretion on whether or not to impose the charge, and it does not take account of the offender’s financial circumstances. Magistrates are said to be resigning over the fine.
Mr Gove announced a review of the policy earlier this year and in a written ministerial statement will today announce he is scrapping the charge before a speech to magistrates in London.
The Howard League for penal reform said the decision to abolish the fees was a “victory for justice”.
“We welcome this decision and applaud the Secretary of State for acting quickly to get rid of a charge that was simply unfair. This is a victory for justice. It augurs well for changes being made to the courts and penal systems, which both need radical reform,” chief executive Frances Cook said.
“There remains the problem of people who have had the criminal courts charge imposed on them, many of whom will simply not be able to pay. We call on magistrates to exercise compassion and common sense when these unfortunate people are returned to court.”
Campaigns
The fees prompted a backlash from lawyers, magistrates and the Justice Select Committee in the Commons, among others.
The committee, which has a majority of Conservative members, labelled the charge “grossly disproportionate to the means of many defendants and to the gravity of the offences”.
The Bar Council argued the policy was “not in the interest of justice” and the Lord Chief Justice said it had “not gone correctly”.
The Independent newspaper also ran a sustained campaign calling for the fees to be scrapped.