Withdrawal of infringement notices
Overview
The infringements system helps to regulate community behaviour and to protect the environment to achieve public order, safety and amenity. About 130 enforcement agencies, including government departments and authorities, local councils, universities and hospitals issue infringement notices for minor traffic, transport, environment and other offences.
In mid-2006 the Department of Justice (DOJ) introduced a new system to promote a fairer and firmer framework for dealing with about 2 000 types of infringement offences.
The audit focused on how well DOJ complied with its responsibility to monitor the infringements system, particularly for the withdrawal of infringement notices and the conduct of internal reviews. It also focused on whether agencies were withdrawing infringement notices appropriately and in line with the Infringements Act 2006 and their own policies.