The Child Support (Northern Ireland) Order 1991

1. Introductory TextNext Match

2. Introductory Title and commencement (1) This Order may be cited as the Child Support...Previous MatchNext Match

   1. IntroductoryPrevious MatchNext Match

      1. 1. Title and commencementPrevious MatchNext Match

      2. 2. InterpretationPrevious MatchNext Match

      3. 3. Meaning of “child”Previous MatchNext Match

      4. 4. Meaning of certain other terms used in this OrderPrevious MatchNext Match

   2. The basic principlesPrevious MatchNext Match

      1. 5. The duty to maintainPrevious MatchNext Match

      2. 6. Welfare of children: the general principlePrevious MatchNext Match

      3. 7. Child support maintenancePrevious MatchNext Match

      4. 8. Child support maintenance: supplemental provisionsPrevious MatchNext Match

      5. 9. Applications by those receiving benefitPrevious MatchNext Match

      6. 10. Role of the courts with respect to maintenance for childrenPrevious MatchNext Match

      7. 11. Agreements about maintenancePrevious MatchNext Match

      8. 12. Relationship between maintenance [assessments] calculations and certain court orders and related mattersPrevious MatchNext Match

   3. Maintenance [assessments] calculationsPrevious MatchNext Match

      1. 13. Maintenance calculationsPrevious MatchNext Match

      2. 14. Default and interim maintenance decisionsPrevious MatchNext Match

   4. Child support officersPrevious MatchNext Match

      1. Art. 15 rep. by 1998 NI 10 Previous MatchNext Match

   5. InformationPrevious MatchNext Match

      1. 16. Information required by the DepartmentPrevious MatchNext Match

      2. 16A. Information - offencesPrevious MatchNext Match

      3. 17. Powers of inspectorsPrevious MatchNext Match

   6. Reviews and appealsPrevious MatchNext Match

      1. 18. Revision of decisionsPrevious MatchNext Match

      2. 19. Decisions superseding earlier decisionsPrevious MatchNext Match

      3. 22. Appeals to appeal tribunalsPrevious MatchNext Match

      4. 24. Matters concerning Child Support CommissionersPrevious MatchNext Match

      5. 24A. Redetermination of appealsPrevious MatchNext Match

      6. 25. Appeal to Child Support CommissionerPrevious MatchNext Match

      7. 26. Appeal from Child Support Commissioner on question of lawPrevious MatchNext Match

      8. 27. Disputes about parentagePrevious MatchNext Match

      9. 27A. Recovery of fees for scientific testsPrevious MatchNext Match

      10. 28. Applications for declaration of parentage under Matrimonial and Family Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Order 1989Previous MatchNext Match

   7. Decisions and appeals dependent on other casesPrevious MatchNext Match

      1. 28ZA. Decisions involving issues that arise on appeal in other casesPrevious MatchNext Match

      2. 28ZB. Appeals involving issues that arise on appeal in other casesPrevious MatchNext Match

   8. Cases of errorPrevious MatchNext Match

      1. 28ZC. Restrictions on liability in certain cases of errorPrevious MatchNext Match

      2. 28ZD. Correction of errors and setting aside of decisionsPrevious MatchNext Match

   9. Departure from usual rules for determining maintenance assessmentsPrevious MatchNext Match

      1. 28A. Application for a departure directionPrevious MatchNext Match

      2. 28B. Preliminary consideration of applicationsPrevious MatchNext Match

      3. 28C. Imposition of a regular payments conditionPrevious MatchNext Match

      4. 28D. Determination of applicationsPrevious MatchNext Match

      5. 28E. Matters to be taken into accountPrevious MatchNext Match

      6. 28F. Departure directionsPrevious MatchNext Match

      7. 28G. Effect and duration of departure directionsPrevious MatchNext Match

      8. 28H. Departure directions: decisions and appealsPrevious MatchNext Match

      9. 28I. Transitional provisionsPrevious MatchNext Match

   10. Voluntary PaymentsPrevious MatchNext Match

       1. 28J. Voluntary PaymentsPrevious MatchNext Match

   11. Collection and enforcementPrevious MatchNext Match

       1. 29. Collection of child support maintenancePrevious MatchNext Match

       2. 30. Collection and enforcement of other forms of maintenancePrevious MatchNext Match

       3. 31. Deduction from earnings ordersPrevious MatchNext Match

       4. 32. Regulations about deduction from earnings ordersPrevious MatchNext Match

       5. 33. Liability ordersPrevious MatchNext Match

       6. 34. Regulations about liability ordersPrevious MatchNext Match

       7. 35. Enforcement of liability ordersPrevious MatchNext Match

       8. 36. Enforcement in Northern Ireland of English and Scottish liability ordersPrevious MatchNext Match

       9. 36A. Commitment to prison and disqualification from drivingPrevious MatchNext Match

       10. 37. Commitment to prisonPrevious MatchNext Match

       11. 37A. Disqualification from driving: further provisionPrevious MatchNext Match

       12. 38. Arrears of child support maintenancePrevious MatchNext Match

       13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Previous MatchNext Match

       14. 38B. Repayment of overpaid child support maintenancePrevious MatchNext Match

   12. Special casesPrevious MatchNext Match

       1. 39. Special casesPrevious MatchNext Match

       2. 40. Recovery of child support maintenance by deduction from benefitPrevious MatchNext Match

   13. JurisdictionPrevious MatchNext Match

       1. 41. JurisdictionPrevious MatchNext Match

       2. 42. Jurisdiction of courts in certain proceedings under this OrderPrevious MatchNext Match

   14. Miscellaneous and supplementalPrevious MatchNext Match

       1. 43. Reduced benefit decisionsPrevious MatchNext Match

       2. 43A. Finality of decisionsPrevious MatchNext Match

       3. 43B. Matters arising as respects decisionsPrevious MatchNext Match

       4. 44. FeesPrevious MatchNext Match

       5. 45. Conduct of proceedingsPrevious MatchNext Match

       6. 46. Unauthorised disclosure of informationPrevious MatchNext Match

       7. 47. Supplementary powers to make regulationsPrevious MatchNext Match

       8. 48. Regulations and ordersPrevious MatchNext Match

       9. 49. Co-ordination with Great BritainPrevious MatchNext Match

       10. 50. Application to CrownPrevious MatchNext Match

       11. 51. Amendments, etc.Previous MatchNext Match

3. SCHEDULES

   1. SCHEDULE 1Previous MatchNext Match

      MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENTSPrevious MatchNext Match

      1. PART I CALCULATION OF CHILD SUPPORT MAINTENANCEPrevious MatchNext Match

         1. The maintenance requirementPrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 1. (1) In this Schedule “the maintenance requirement” means the amount, calculated in accordance with the...Previous MatchNext Match

         2. The general rulePrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 2. (1) In order to determine the amount of any maintenance assessment, first calculate— A C...Previous MatchNext Match

         3. The basic elementPrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 3. (1) The basic element shall be calculated by applying the formula— BE A×G×P where— BE...Previous MatchNext Match

         4. The additional elementPrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 4. (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the additional element shall be calculated by applying the formula—...Previous MatchNext Match

         5. Assessable incomePrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 5. (1) The assessable income of an absent parent shall be calculated by applying the formula—...Previous MatchNext Match

         6. Protected incomePrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 6. (1) This paragraph applies where— (a) one or more maintenance assessments have been made with...Previous MatchNext Match

         7. The minimum amount of child support maintenancePrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 7. (1) The Department may prescribe a minimum amount for the purposes of this paragraph. (2)...Previous MatchNext Match

         8. Housing costsPrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 8. Where regulations under this Schedule require the Department to take account of the housing costs...Previous MatchNext Match

         9. Regulations about income and capitalPrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 9. The Department may by regulations provide that, in such circumstances and to such extent as...Previous MatchNext Match

         10. References to qualifying childrenPrevious MatchNext Match

             1. 10. References in this Part to “qualifying children” are to those qualifying children with respect to...Previous MatchNext Match

      2. PART I CALCULATION OF WEEKLY AMOUNT OF CHILD SUPPORT MAINTENANCEPrevious MatchNext Match

         1. General rulePrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 1. (1) The weekly rate of child support maintenance is the basic rate unless a reduced...Previous MatchNext Match

         2. Basic ratePrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 2. (1) The basic rate is the following percentage of the non-resident parent's net weekly income—...Previous MatchNext Match

         3. Reduced ratePrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 3. (1) A reduced rate is payable if— (a) neither a flat rate nor the nil...Previous MatchNext Match

         4. Flat ratePrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 4. (1) Except in a case falling within sub-paragraph (2), a flat rate of £5 is...Previous MatchNext Match

         5. Nil ratePrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 5. The rate payable is nil if the non-resident parent— (a) is of a prescribed description;...Previous MatchNext Match

         6. ApportionmentPrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 6. (1) If the non-resident parent has more than one qualifying child and in relation to...Previous MatchNext Match

         7. Shared care - basic and reduced ratePrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 7. (1) This paragraph applies only if the rate of child support maintenance payable is the...Previous MatchNext Match

         8. Shared care - flat ratePrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 8. (1) This paragraph applies only if— (a) the rate of child support maintenance payable is...Previous MatchNext Match

         9. Regulations about shared carePrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 9. The Department may by regulations provide for— (a) which nights are to count for the...Previous MatchNext Match

         10. Net weekly incomePrevious MatchNext Match

             1. 10. (1) For the purposes of this Schedule, net weekly income shall be determined in such...Previous MatchNext Match

         11. Regulations about rates, figures, etc.Previous MatchNext Match

             1. 10A. (1) The Department may by regulations provide that— (a) paragraph 2 is to have effect...Previous MatchNext Match

         12. Regulations about incomePrevious MatchNext Match

             1. 10B. The Department may by regulations provide that, in such circumstances and to such extent as...Previous MatchNext Match

         13. References to various termsPrevious MatchNext Match

             1. 10C. (1) References in this Part to “qualifying children” are to those qualifying children with respect...Previous MatchNext Match

      3. PART II GENERAL PROVISIONS ABOUT MAINTENANCE [ASSESSMENTS] CALCULATIONSPrevious MatchNext Match

         1. Effective date of [assessment] calculationPrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 11. (1) A [ maintenance assessment] maintenance calculation shall take effect on such date as may...Previous MatchNext Match

         2. Form of [assessment] calculationPrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 12. Every [ maintenance assessment] maintenance calculation shall be made in such form and contain such...Previous MatchNext Match

         3. [Assessments] Calculations where amount of child support is nilPrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 13. The Department shall not decline to make a [ maintenance assessment] maintenance calculation only on...Previous MatchNext Match

         4. Consolidated applications and [assessments] calculationsPrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 14. The Department may by regulations provide— (a) for two or more applications for maintenance assessments...Previous MatchNext Match

         5. Separate [assessments] calculations for different periodsPrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 15. Where the Department is satisfied that the circumstances of a case require different amounts of...Previous MatchNext Match

         6. Termination of [assessments] calculationsPrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 16. (1) A[ maintenance assessment] maintenance calculation shall cease to have effect— (a) on the death...Previous MatchNext Match

   2. Previous MatchNext Match

      Schedules 2 and 3 rep. by 1998 NI 10Previous MatchNext Match

   3. SCHEDULE 4Previous MatchNext Match

      MATTERS CONCERNING CHILD SUPPORT COMMISSIONERSPrevious MatchNext Match

      1. Proceedings before Child Support CommissionersPrevious MatchNext Match

         1. 1. (1) The Lord Chancellor may make such regulations with respect to proceedings before Child Support...Previous MatchNext Match

      2. Determination of questions by other officersPrevious MatchNext Match

         1. 1A. (1) The Lord Chancellor may by regulations provide— (a) for officers authorised by him to...Previous MatchNext Match

      3. Tribunal of CommissionersPrevious MatchNext Match

         1. 2. (1) If it appears to the Chief Child Support Commissioner (or, in the case of...Previous MatchNext Match

      4. Finality of decisionsPrevious MatchNext Match

         1. 3. (1) Subject to Article 26 the decision of any Child Support Commissioner shall be final....Previous MatchNext Match

      5. Expenses of persons required to attend proceedingsPrevious MatchNext Match

         1. 3A. (1) The Lord Chancellor may pay to any person who attends any proceedings before a...Previous MatchNext Match

      6. PensionsPrevious MatchNext Match

         1. 4. The Lord Chancellor may pay, or make such payments towards the provision of, such pensions...Previous MatchNext Match

   4. SCHEDULE 4APrevious MatchNext Match

      DEPARTURE DIRECTIONSPrevious MatchNext Match

      1. InterpretationPrevious MatchNext Match

         1. 1. In this Schedule— “departure application” means an application for a departure direction; “regulations” means regulations...Previous MatchNext Match

      2. Applications for departure directionsPrevious MatchNext Match

         1. 2. Regulations may make provision— (a) as to the procedure to be followed in considering a...Previous MatchNext Match

      3. Completion of preliminary considerationPrevious MatchNext Match

         1. 3. Regulations may provide for determining when the preliminary consideration of a departure application is to...Previous MatchNext Match

      4. InformationPrevious MatchNext Match

         1. 4. (1) Regulations may make provision for the use for any purpose of this Order of—...Previous MatchNext Match

      5. Anticipation of change of circumstancesPrevious MatchNext Match

         1. 5. (1) A departure direction may be given so as to provide that if the circumstances...Previous MatchNext Match

         2. Para. 6 rep. by 1998 NI 10Previous MatchNext Match

         3. Para. 6 rep. by 1998 NI 10Previous MatchNext Match

      6. Subsequent departure directionsPrevious MatchNext Match

         1. 7. (1) Regulations may make provision with respect to any departure application made with respect to...Previous MatchNext Match

      7. Joint consideration of departure applications and appealsPrevious MatchNext Match

         1. 8. (1) Regulations may provide for two or more departure applications with respect to the same...Previous MatchNext Match

      8. Appeal tribunalsPrevious MatchNext Match

         1. 9. (1) Regulations may provide that, in prescribed circumstances, where— (a) a departure application is referred...Previous MatchNext Match

      9. Current assessments which are replaced by fresh assessmentsPrevious MatchNext Match

         1. 10. Regulations may make provision as to the circumstances in which prescribed references in this Order...Previous MatchNext Match

   5. SCHEDULE 4BPrevious MatchNext Match

      DEPARTURE DIRECTIONS: THE CASES AND CONTROLSPrevious MatchNext Match

      1. PART I THE CASESPrevious MatchNext Match

         1. GeneralPrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 1. (1) The cases in which a departure direction may be given are those set out...Previous MatchNext Match

         2. Special expensesPrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 2. (1) A departure direction may be given with respect to special expenses of the applicant...Previous MatchNext Match

         3. Property or capital transfersPrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 3. (1) A departure direction may be given if— (a) before 5th April 1993— (i) a...Previous MatchNext Match

            2. 4. (1) A departure direction may be given if— (a) before 5th April 1993— (i) a...Previous MatchNext Match

         4. Additional casesPrevious MatchNext Match

            1. 5. (1) The Department may by regulations prescribe other cases in which a departure may be...Previous MatchNext Match

      2. PART II REGULATORY CONTROLSPrevious MatchNext Match

         1. 6. (1) The Department may by regulations make provision with respect to the directions which may...Previous MatchNext Match

   6. SCHEDULE 4CPrevious MatchNext Match

      DECISIONS AND APPEALS: DEPARTURE DIRECTIONS AND REDUCED BENEFIT DIRECTIONS, ETC.Previous MatchNext Match

      1. Revision of decisionsPrevious MatchNext Match

         1. 1. Article 18 shall apply in relation to— (a) any decision of the Department with respect...Previous MatchNext Match

      2. Decisions superseding earlier decisionsPrevious MatchNext Match

         1. 2. (1) Article 19 shall apply in relation to— (a) any decision of the Department with...Previous MatchNext Match

      3. Appeals to appeal tribunalsPrevious MatchNext Match

         1. 3. (1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3), Article 22 shall apply— (a) in relation to...Previous MatchNext Match

      4. Decisions and appeals dependent on other casesPrevious MatchNext Match

         1. 4. (1) Article 28ZA shall also apply where— (a) a decision falls to be made— (i)...Previous MatchNext Match

         2. 5. (1) Article 28ZB shall also apply where— (a) an appeal is made to an appeal...Previous MatchNext Match

      5. Cases of errorPrevious MatchNext Match

         1. 6. (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), Article 28ZC shall also apply where— (a) the effect of...Previous MatchNext Match

   7. Previous MatchNext Match

      Schedule 5—AmendmentsPrevious MatchNext Match