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Court Funds Office Processes

The Court Funds Office functions as the banking service for the courts in England and Wales. The CFO accounts for money paid into and out of court and looks after any investments made with it. As a rule, the CFO invests the money into high paying interest accounts. They hold on to the funds until the child turns 18 years of age. At that point, the adult can apply for access to the money and investments.

What is the Court Funds Office (CFO)?

The UK CFO provides a banking and an investment service for the courts system. The same services also include that of the High Court.

One of the main tasks for the office is handling the assets of individuals. It functions for people who cannot be identified or for those who are not capable of managing their own financial affairs.

So, monies held on behalf of clients deemed mentally incapacitated also fall under the responsibility of the Court Funds Office.

The Accountant General of the Supreme Court has the responsibility of controlling money paid into court. Their office oversees transactions going into, and out of, the courts.

The legislation for these processes stem from the Mental Capacity Act 2005. It allows a deputy with authority to manage someone else’s financial affairs.

Thus, court-appointed deputies can withdraw money from a CFO account. But, it must be deemed necessary and in the best interests of the protected person.

Children involved in accidents may have money held by the Court Funds Office. The same process often applies to compensation payment awards obtained through civil litigation.

The Processes of the Court Funds Office

Contact the Court Funds Office

You can contact the Court Funds Office to enquire about a child’s court settlement account or a payment you made. They also deal with complaints about their services.

Manage a Court Funds Office Account

The process of managing money in Court Funds Office accounts is a responsibility for deputies. Discover how deposits, withdrawals, and investments work and how to close an account.

Recover Mental Capacity

 If you can manage your own finances you can get your money from the Court Funds Office account. Find out how to get court funds money if you recover mental capacity.

When You Turn 18

You can access money in your Court Funds Office account once you reach 18. Find out what will happen to your court funds money after turning 18 years old.

Paying a Court Fine Online or by Phone

The online service allows you to pay most types of court fines in England and in Wales, including:

  • Compensation
  • Confiscation orders
  • Court fines
  • Criminal courts charge
  • Fixed penalties registered in a magistrates’ court
  • Prosecutor costs
  • Vehicle excise back duty
  • Victims surcharge

You will need the ‘notice of fine’ and a debit or credit card to pay a court fine online. Contact the court that fined you if you do not have the notice.

Pay a fine no later that the date stated in the notice of fine. The court can reject a payment if enforcement action has already in progress.

Note: If a Crown Court issued the fine you will need your account number and the division code.

Other Ways to Pay a Court Fine

Paying by Phone

Telephone: 0300 790 9901 (in England)
Telephone: 0300 790 9980 (in Wales)
Find out about call charges.

You should contact the Enforcement Office showing on the notice of fine if you want to pay by direct debit, by payment card, or by bank transfer.

Note: Use a different service for paying court fees and for paying parking tickets. The information is also available in Welsh language (Cymraeg) but the process differs in Scotland and in Northern Ireland.

Processes and Functions of the Court Funds office in United Kingdom