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NSL makes legal history with Scottish courts operation
NSL has helped create legal history in Scotland by clamping three drivers over unpaid fines.
The action took place in Glasgow over Christmas. Wheel clamping is very rare in Scotland because under Scottish law it is generally illegal for private clampers to immobilise vehicles.
NSL's operation for the Scottish Courts Service operates under separate legislation, which means clamping cars to encourage motorists to pay unpaid fines is allowed if ordered by the Service. The powers have only just been adopted as part of a campaign by the Scottish Courts Services to reduce the level of unpaid fines.
Eric McQueen, Director, Field Services, Scottish Court Service said:"We introduced new tracing facilities which make it easier for us to identify defaulters and deduct outstanding fines from their benefits,wages or bank accounts. It also helps us identify if they are a car owner, in which case we have powers to seize and sell the vehicle.
"We have issued warnings to car owners before and they normally pay up but there are some people who still believe they can get away with
not paying their fines. Fine dodgers have nowhere to hide; the Scottish Court service will use all the available sanctions to collect their fine including clamping and seizing their car."
The three car owners are all Glasgow based but clamping orders have also been issued for car owning defaulters elsewhere in Scotland and these will also be enforced if non-payment continues.
Eric McQueen concluded: "The owners of these cars have had ample warning of the consequence of non-payment of their fine. I hope this sends out a clear warning to others with outstanding fines." All of the owners of the clamped cars subsequently paid their fines plus the additional contractor's expenses and their cars have now been released. Murray Sheppard, NSL's area manager for Scotland, commented: "In Scotland there are few agencies other than us who have the relevant expertise because clamping is not used widely - but it clearly has a role to play here and we are delighted to have started this operation successfully for the Scottish Courts Service."
NSL's operation for the Scottish Courts Service operates under separate legislation, which means clamping cars to encourage motorists to pay unpaid fines is allowed if ordered by the Service. The powers have only just been adopted as part of a campaign by the Scottish Courts Services to reduce the level of unpaid fines.
Eric McQueen, Director, Field Services, Scottish Court Service said:"We introduced new tracing facilities which make it easier for us to identify defaulters and deduct outstanding fines from their benefits,wages or bank accounts. It also helps us identify if they are a car owner, in which case we have powers to seize and sell the vehicle.
"We have issued warnings to car owners before and they normally pay up but there are some people who still believe they can get away with
not paying their fines. Fine dodgers have nowhere to hide; the Scottish Court service will use all the available sanctions to collect their fine including clamping and seizing their car."
The three car owners are all Glasgow based but clamping orders have also been issued for car owning defaulters elsewhere in Scotland and these will also be enforced if non-payment continues.
Eric McQueen concluded: "The owners of these cars have had ample warning of the consequence of non-payment of their fine. I hope this sends out a clear warning to others with outstanding fines." All of the owners of the clamped cars subsequently paid their fines plus the additional contractor's expenses and their cars have now been released. Murray Sheppard, NSL's area manager for Scotland, commented: "In Scotland there are few agencies other than us who have the relevant expertise because clamping is not used widely - but it clearly has a role to play here and we are delighted to have started this operation successfully for the Scottish Courts Service."
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