A fine must not exceed the statutory limit. Where this is expressed in terms of a ‘level’, the maxima are:
| Level 1 | £200 |
| Level 2 | £500 |
| Level 3 | £1,000 |
| Level 4 | £2,500 |
| Level 5 | Unlimited (for offences committed after 13 March 2015)* |
*For offences committed before 13 March 2015 the level 5 maximum is £5,000
See the Criminal Practice Directions 5.16 for directions on dealing with cases involving very large fines in the magistrates’ court.