Attachment of Earnings Act 1971
Cases in which attachment is available
1 Courts with power to attach earnings.
1AOrders to which this Act applies
2 Principal definitions.
3 Application for order and conditions of court’s power to make it.
Administration orders in the county court
4 Extension of power to make administration order.
5 Attachment of earnings to secure payments under administration order.
Consequences of attachment order
6 Effect and contents of order.
7 Compliance with order by employer.
8 Interrelation with alternative remedies open to creditor.
Subsequent proceedings
9 Variation, lapse and discharge of orders.
10 Normal deduction rate to be reduced in certain cases.
11 Attachment order in respect of maintenance payments to cease to have effect on the occurrence of certain events.
12 Termination of employer’s liability to make deductions.
Administrative provisions
13 Application of sums received by collecting officer.
14 Power of court to obtain statements of earnings etc.
15 Obligation of debtor and his employers to notify changes of employment and earnings.
16 Power of court to determine whether particular payments are earnings.
17 Consolidated attachment orders.
Special provisions with respect to magistrates’ courts
18 Certain action not to be taken by collecting officer except on request.
19 Procedure on applications.
20 Jurisdiction in respect of persons residing outside England and Wales.
21 Costs on application under s. 16.
Miscellaneous provisions
22 Persons employed under the Crown.
23 Enforcement provisions.
24 Meaning of “earnings”.
25 General interpretation.
General
26 Transitional provision.
27 Consequential amendment of enactments.
28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
29 Citation, repeal, extent and commencement.
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 1 Maintenance orders to which this Act applies
1An order for alimony, maintenance or other payments made, or...
2An order for payments to or in respect of a...
3An order for periodical or other payments made, or having...
4An order for maintenance or other payments to or in...
5An order for periodical or other payments made or having...
6. . . . . . . . . ....
7An order under paragraph 23 of Schedule 2 to the...
8An order under section 43 of the National Assistance Act...
9An order to which section 16 of the Maintenance Orders...
10A maintenance order within the meaning of the Maintenance Orders...
11A maintenance order within the meaning of Part I of...
12An order under section 34(1)( b ) of the Children...
13A maintenance order within the meaning of Part I of...
14A maintenance judgment within the meaning of Council Regulation (EC)...
14A(1) A decision, court settlement or authentic instrument which falls...
15An order made under Schedule 5 to the Civil Partnership...
16An order made under Schedule 6 to the 2004 Act...
SCHEDULE 2 Taxes, social security contributions etc. relevant for purposes of section 3(6)
1Income tax or any other tax or liability recoverable under...
2. . . . . . . . . ....
3State scheme premiums under Part III of the Social Security...
3AClass 1, 2 and 4 contributions under Part I of...
4. . . . . . . . . ....
SCHEDULE 3 Deductions by employer under attachment of earnings order
Part I Scheme of deductions
Preliminary definitions
1The following three paragraphs have effect for defining and explaining,...
2“Pay-day”, in relation to earnings paid to a debtor, means...
3“Attachable earnings”, in relation to a pay-day, are the earnings...
4(1) On any pay-day— (a) “ the normal deduction ”...
Employer’s deduction (judgment debts and administration orders)
5In the case of an attachment of earnings order made...
Employer’s deduction (other cases)
6(1) The following provision shall have effect in the case...
6AIn the case of an attachment of earnings order made...
Part II Priority as between orders
7Where the employer is required to comply with two or...
8Where the employer is required to comply with two or...
SCHEDULE 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SCHEDULE 5 Section 20 of Maintenance Orders Act 1958 as having effect in consequence of this Act
20 Special provisions as to magistrates’ courts.
SCHEDULE 6 Enactments Repealed

Royal arms

Attachment of Earnings Act 1971

1971 CHAPTER 32

An Act to consolidate the enactments relating to the attachment of earnings as a means of enforcing the discharge of monetary obligations.