I’m looking for guidance on a situation involving Crown Court costs and whether there is any mechanism to seek remission due to financial hardship.
I was unsuccessful in a firearms licence appeal at Crown Court (November 2024). The judge ruled against me and awarded costs in favour of the Metropolitan Police (around £4,000+).
At the hearing, I made it clear that I was not working, but the judge did not engage with my financial circumstances and still awarded full costs. The interaction felt dismissive, and I came away with the impression that my situation had not been properly considered.
My understanding (from experience in the Magistrates’ Court) is that where someone is unemployed or on benefits, the court will usually consider their means and often remit or reduce costs, particularly if they cannot realistically be paid within a reasonable timeframe (e.g. 12 months).
Fast forward to now — I have been out of work for several months and am currently on DWP benefits. I tried to go back through the court to ask whether I could apply for some or all of the costs to be remitted due to hardship (similar to how it works in the Magistrates’ Court).
However, I’ve run into a complete dead end:
The Crown Court says it has no jurisdiction to vary or remit the costs once ordered.
The Magistrates’ Court says it also has no power to vary Crown Court costs.
I’ve been told the Met Police are enforcing the costs, and I should speak to them.
The police have allowed me to pay in instalments (e.g. ~£50/month), but they are not willing to remit or reduce the amount.
At this rate, it will take me several years to pay off the costs, which seems disproportionate given I am on benefits.
So my questions are:
Is it correct that there is no mechanism at all to apply for remission of Crown Court costs based on hardship?
Why does the Magistrates’ Court have a clear process for this, but the Crown Court apparently does not?
Is it really correct that the enforcing party (the police) are effectively the only ones who can consider hardship, rather than a court?
Is there any route (short of judicial review, which seems time-barred) to get this reconsidered?
I’ve also gone through the complaints process with HMCTS, but haven’t received any clear answer on whether such a mechanism exists.
Would really appreciate any insight from those familiar with Crown Court procedure or costs enforcement.
Thanks in advance.
