The Family Procedure Rules 2010

SECTION 1 E+W Registration and Enforcement in a Magistrates' Court of Maintenance Orders made in [F1 a State bound by the 2007 Hague Convention]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Pt. 34 Ch. 3 Section 1 heading substituted (31.12.2020) by The Family Procedure Rules 2010 and Court of Protection Rules 2017 (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/517), regs. 1(1), 19(7) (with reg. 27) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1574, regs. 1, 4(2) and S.I. 2020/1493, regs. 1(1), 8(2)(f)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Interpretation E+W

F2 34.29.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F2 Rule 34.29 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Family Procedure Rules 2010 and Court of Protection Rules 2017 (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/517), regs. 1(1), 19(8) (with reg. 27) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1574, regs. 1, 4(2) and S.I. 2020/1493, regs. 1(1), 8(2)(f)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Application under Article 30 of the Maintenance Regulation or under Article 23 of the 2007 Hague Convention for a declaration of enforceability E+W

F3 34.29A.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F3 Rule 34.29A omitted (22.4.2014) by virtue of The Family Procedure (Amendment No.3) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/3204), rules 1, 126 (with rule 137); S.I. 2014/954, art. 2

Registration of maintenance orders E+W

34.30.—F4 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) [F5 This rule and Practice Direction 34E apply where the family court] receives—

F6 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F6 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F6 (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F6 (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(e) [F7 an application under Article 23 of the 2007 Hague Convention for registration of a maintenance order made in a State bound by that Convention F8 ....]

F9 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F10 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F11 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) Except where [F12 Practice Direction 34E provides otherwise, the court] must register the order unless—

F13 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F13 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c) [F14 in the case of an application under Article 23(2) or (3) of the 2007 Hague Convention, Article 22(a) of that Convention applies.]

(7) If the court F15 ... refuses to register an order to which this rule relates the court officer must notify the applicant.

(8) If the court F16 ... registers an order the court officer must send written notice of that fact to—

(a) the Lord Chancellor;

(b) the payer; and

(c) the applicant.

F17 (9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F4 Rule 34.30(1) omitted (22.4.2014) by virtue of The Family Procedure (Amendment No.3) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/3204), rules 1, 127(a) (with rule 137); S.I. 2014/954, art. 2

F5 Words in rule 34.30(2) substituted (22.4.2014) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No.3) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/3204), rules 1, 127(b) (with rule 137); S.I. 2014/954, art. 2

F6 Rules 34.30(2)(a)-(d) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Family Procedure Rules 2010 and Court of Protection Rules 2017 (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/517), regs. 1(1), 19(9)(a)(i) (with reg. 27) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1574, regs. 1, 4(2) and S.I. 2020/1493, regs. 1(1), 8(2)(f)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F7 Rule 34.30(2)(e) and word inserted (20.12.2012) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 4) Rules 2012 (S.I. 2012/2806), rules 1, 24(a)(ii)

F8 Words in rule 34.30(2)(e) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Family Procedure Rules 2010 and Court of Protection Rules 2017 (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/517), regs. 1(1), 19(9)(a)(ii) (with reg. 27) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1574, regs. 1, 4(2) and S.I. 2020/1493, regs. 1(1), 8(2)(f)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F9 Rule 34.30(3) omitted (22.4.2014) by virtue of The Family Procedure (Amendment No.3) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/3204), rules 1, 127(c) (with rule 137); S.I. 2014/954, art. 2

F10 Rule 34.30(4) omitted (22.4.2014) by virtue of The Family Procedure (Amendment No.3) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/3204), rules 1, 127(c) (with rule 137); S.I. 2014/954, art. 2

F11 Rule 34.30(5) omitted (22.4.2014) by virtue of The Family Procedure (Amendment No.3) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/3204), rules 1, 127(c) (with rule 137); S.I. 2014/954, art. 2

F12 Words in rule 34.30(6) substituted (22.4.2014) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No.3) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/3204), rules 1, 127(d) (with rule 137); S.I. 2014/954, art. 2

F13 Rule 34.30(6)(a)(b) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Family Procedure Rules 2010 and Court of Protection Rules 2017 (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/517), regs. 1(1), 19(9)(b) (with reg. 27) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1574, regs. 1, 4(2) and S.I. 2020/1493, regs. 1(1), 8(2)(f)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F14 Rule 34.30(6)(c) and word inserted (20.12.2012) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 4) Rules 2012 (S.I. 2012/2806), rules 1, 24(b)(ii)

F15 Word in rule 34.30(7) omitted (22.4.2014) by virtue of The Family Procedure (Amendment No.3) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/3204), rules 1, 127(e) (with rule 137); S.I. 2014/954, art. 2

F16 Word in rule 34.30(8) omitted (22.4.2014) by virtue of The Family Procedure (Amendment No.3) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/3204), rules 1, 127(e) (with rule 137); S.I. 2014/954, art. 2

F17 Rule 34.30(9) omitted (22.4.2014) by virtue of The Family Procedure (Amendment No.3) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/3204), rules 1, 127(f) (with rule 137); S.I. 2014/954, art. 2

Appeal from a decision relating to registration E+W

34.31.—(1) This rule applies to an appeal under—

F18 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F18 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F18 (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F18 (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F19 (e) Article 23(5) of the 2007 Hague Convention.]

[F20 (2) The appeal must be to the family court.

(Practice Direction 34E makes provision in relation to such cases.)]

Textual Amendments

F18 Rules 34.31(1)(a)-(d) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Family Procedure Rules 2010 and Court of Protection Rules 2017 (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/517), regs. 1(1), 19(10) (with reg. 27) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1574, regs. 1, 4(2) and S.I. 2020/1493, regs. 1(1), 8(2)(f)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F19 Rule 34.31(1)(e) and word inserted (20.12.2012) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 4) Rules 2012 (S.I. 2012/2806), rules 1, 25(b)

F20 Rule 34.31(2) substituted (22.4.2014) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No.3) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/3204), rules 1, 128 (with rule 137); S.I. 2014/954, art. 2

Payment of sums due under a registered order E+W

34.32.—(1) Where an order is registered in accordance with [F21 Article 23 of the 2007 Hague Convention] the court [F22 may] order that payment of sums due under the order be made [F23 to the court, at such time and place as directed.]

(2) Where the court orders payments to be made to the court F24 ..., whether in accordance with paragraph (1) or otherwise, the court officer must send the payments by post either—

(a) to the court which made the order; or

(b) to such other person or authority as that court, or the Lord Chancellor, directs.

(Practice Direction 34A contains further provisions relating to the payment of sums due under registered orders.)

Textual Amendments

F21 Words in rule 34.32(1) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Family Procedure Rules 2010 and Court of Protection Rules 2017 (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/517), regs. 1(1), 19(11) (with reg. 27) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1574, regs. 1, 4(2) and S.I. 2020/1493, regs. 1(1), 8(2)(f)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F22 Word in rule 34.32(1) substituted (22.4.2014) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No.3) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/3204), rules 1, 129(a)(i) (with rule 137); S.I. 2014/954, art. 2

F23 Words in rule 34.32(1) substituted (22.4.2014) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No.3) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/3204), rules 1, 129(a)(ii) (with rule 137); S.I. 2014/954, art. 2

F24 Word in rule 34.32(2) omitted (22.4.2014) by virtue of The Family Procedure (Amendment No.3) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/3204), rules 1, 129(b) (with rule 137); S.I. 2014/954, art. 2

Enforcement of payments under registered orders E+W

34.33.—(1) This rule applies where a court has ordered periodical payments under a registered maintenance order to be made to the [F25 the family court].

(2) The court officer must take reasonable steps to notify the payee of the means of enforcement available.

(3) Paragraph (4) applies where periodical payments due under a registered order are in arrears.

(4) The court officer, on that officer's own initiative—

(a) may; or

(b) if the sums due are more than 4 weeks in arrears, must,

proceed in that officer's own name for the recovery of the sums due unless of the view that it is unreasonable to do so.

Textual Amendments

F25 Words in rule 34.33(1) substituted (22.4.2014) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No.3) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/3204), rules 1, 130 (with rule 137); S.I. 2014/954, art. 2

Variation and revocation of registered orders E+W

34.34.—(1) This rule applies where the court officer for a registering court receives notice that a registered maintenance order has been varied or revoked by a competent court in [F26 a State bound by the 2007 Hague Convention].

(2) The court officer for the registering court must—

(a) register the order of variation or revocation; and

(b) send notice of the registration by post to the payer and payee under the order.

F27 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F26 Words in rule 34.34(1) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Family Procedure Rules 2010 and Court of Protection Rules 2017 (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/517), regs. 1(1), 19(12)(a) (with reg. 27) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1574, regs. 1, 4(2) and S.I. 2020/1493, regs. 1(1), 8(2)(f)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F27 Rule 34.34(3) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Family Procedure Rules 2010 and Court of Protection Rules 2017 (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/517), regs. 1(1), 19(12)(b) (with reg. 27) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1574, regs. 1, 4(2) and S.I. 2020/1493, regs. 1(1), 8(2)(f)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

[F28 Registered order: payer residing in an area covered by a different Maintenance Enforcement Business Centre E+W

34.35.   Practice Direction 34E makes provision for cases where a court officer in the Maintenance Enforcement Business Centre for the Designated Family Judge area where an order is registered considers that the payer is residing in a Designated Family Judge area covered by a different Maintenance Enforcement Business Centre.

(For the way in which information will be provided to enable Maintenance Enforcement Business Centres to be identified, see Practice Direction 34E.)]

Textual Amendments

F28 Rule 34.35 substituted (31.7.2015) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2015 (S.I. 2015/1420), rules 1(3), 24

Cancellation of registered orders E+W

34.36.— [F29 (1) Where the court officer for the registering court—

(a) has no reason to send papers to another Maintenance Enforcement Business Centre under Practice Direction 34E; and

(b) considers that the payer under the registered order is not residing within the area covered by the Maintenance Enforcement Business Centre for the Designated Family Judge area where the order is registered and has no assets in England and Wales,

the court officer must cancel the registration.]

(2) The court officer must—

(a) give notice of cancellation to the payee; and

[F30 (b) send to the Lord Chancellor—

(i) the information and documents relating to the registration;

(ii) a certificate of arrears, if applicable, signed by the court officer;

(iii) a statement giving such information as the court officer possesses as to the whereabouts of the payer and the nature and location of the payer’s assets; and

(iv) any other relevant documents which the court officer has relating to the case.

(Practice Direction 34E makes further provision on this matter.)]

Textual Amendments

F29 Rule 34.36(1) substituted (31.7.2015) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2015 (S.I. 2015/1420), rules 1(3), 25

F30 Rule 34.36(2)(b) substituted (1.7.2015) by The Family Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2015 (S.I. 2015/913), rules 1, 13 (with rule 14)

[F31 Directions as to stays, documents and translations E+W

34.36A.   At any stage in proceedings for registration of a maintenance order under this Section of this Chapter, the court may give directions about the conduct of the proceedings, including—

(a) staying of proceedings in accordance with—

F32 (i) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F32 (ii) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F32 (iii) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F32 (iv) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F33 (v) Article 30(6) of the 2007 Hague Convention;]

(b) the provision of documents in accordance with—

F34 (i) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F34 (ii) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F34 (iii) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F34 (iv) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F35 (v) Article 25 or 30 of the 2007 Hague Convention;]

(c) the provision of translations in accordance with—

F36 (i) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F36 (ii) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F36 (iii) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F36 (iv) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F37 (v) in relation to an application under this Section relating to the 2007 Hague Convention, without prejudice to Article 44 of that Convention.]]

Textual Amendments

F31 Rule 34.36A inserted (18.6.2011) by The Family Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2011 (S.I. 2011/1328), rules 1, 32 (with art. 38(1)(b))

F32 Rules 34.36A(a)(i)-(iv) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Family Procedure Rules 2010 and Court of Protection Rules 2017 (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/517), regs. 1(1), 19(13)(a) (with reg. 27) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1574, regs. 1, 4(2) and S.I. 2020/1493, regs. 1(1), 8(2)(f)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F33 Rule 34.36A(a)(v) and word inserted (20.12.2012) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 4) Rules 2012 (S.I. 2012/2806), rules 1, 29(a)(ii)

F34 Rules 34.36A(b)(i)-(iv) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Family Procedure Rules 2010 and Court of Protection Rules 2017 (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/517), regs. 1(1), 19(13)(b) (with reg. 27) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1574, regs. 1, 4(2) and S.I. 2020/1493, regs. 1(1), 8(2)(f)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F35 Rule 34.36A(b)(v) and word inserted (20.12.2012) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 4) Rules 2012 (S.I. 2012/2806), rules 1, 29(b)(ii)

F36 Rules 34.36A(c)(i)-(iv) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Family Procedure Rules 2010 and Court of Protection Rules 2017 (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/517), regs. 1(1), 19(13)(c) (with reg. 27) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1574, regs. 1, 4(2) and S.I. 2020/1493, regs. 1(1), 8(2)(f)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F37 Rule 34.36A(c)(v) and word inserted (20.12.2012) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 4) Rules 2012 (S.I. 2012/2806), rules 1, 29(c)(ii)

[F38 International Maintenance Obligations; Communication with the Central Authority for England and Wales E+W

34.36B.— (1) Where the Lord Chancellor requests information or a document from the court officer for the relevant court for the purposes of F39 ...Article 12 or 25(2) of the 2007 Hague Convention, the court officer shall provide the requested information or document to the Lord Chancellor forthwith.

(2) In this rule, “relevant court” means the court at which an application under F40 ... Article 10 of the 2007 Hague Convention has been filed.

[The Lord Chancellor is the Central Authority for the 2007 Hague ConventionF41 ...]]

Textual Amendments

F38 Rule 34.36B inserted (20.12.2012) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 4) Rules 2012 (S.I. 2012/2806), rules 1, 30

F39 Words in rule 34.36B(1) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Family Procedure Rules 2010 and Court of Protection Rules 2017 (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/517), regs. 1(1), 19(14)(a) (with reg. 27) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1574, regs. 1, 4(2) and S.I. 2020/1493, regs. 1(1), 8(2)(f)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F40 Words in rule 34.36B(2) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Family Procedure Rules 2010 and Court of Protection Rules 2017 (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/517), regs. 1(1), 19(14)(b) (with reg. 27) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1574, regs. 1, 4(2) and S.I. 2020/1493, regs. 1(1), 8(2)(f)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F41 Words in rule 34.36B omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Family Procedure Rules 2010 and Court of Protection Rules 2017 (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/517), regs. 1(1), 19(14)(c) (with reg. 27) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1574, regs. 1, 4(2) and S.I. 2020/1493, regs. 1(1), 8(2)(f)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

The Maintenance Regulation: applications for enforcement or for refusal or suspension of enforcement E+W

F42 34.36C.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F42 Rule 34.36C omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Family Procedure Rules 2010 and Court of Protection Rules 2017 (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/517), regs. 1(1), 19(15) (with reg. 27) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1574, regs. 1, 4(2) and S.I. 2020/1493, regs. 1(1), 8(2)(f)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)