Hi all, looking for some advice or reassurance from anyone who has navigated the Statutory Declaration process for a traffic offence.

The Background:

• I was convicted in my absence (likely MS90 + original speeding offence) because the letters went to my old address. I had updated my V5C logbook, but I did it after the offence date, so the police used the old address.
• Result: £1,044 fine and 6 penalty points.
• As soon as I found the court letter, I got a Statutory Declaration (Section 16E) sworn and witnessed by a solicitor. I emailed it to the Single Justice Service (SJS) well within my 21-day legal window (sent around March 24th).

The Current Situation:

• I received the auto-reply from SJS. I called them today to check the status. They confirmed they have received it and it's in their backlog waiting for a Magistrate to review and approve.
• SJS advised me to call the National Enforcement / Fines team to put a "hold" on the account so I don't get chased for the £1,044 while I wait.
• Here is the problem: I called the Fines team, and they flat-out refused to put a hold on it. They said my first £100 instalment was due on April 2nd, and because it's not paid, the system is escalating. They told me I have to start making payments, and the court will just refund me later once the Statutory Declaration is processed.

My Questions:

1. Has anyone else had the Fines team refuse to freeze an account while an SD is sitting in the SJS backlog?
2. Should I just pay the £100 instalment to keep the automated system happy and wait for HMCTS to eventually refund me?
3. Or should I hold my nerve, refuse to pay, and let the SD wipe it out? I know they usually have to send a "Further Steps Notice" before instructing bailiffs, which buys me more time, but I'm worried about the risk.

Any advice from people who have been through this would be hugely appreciated!