Part I Implementation of the Conventions
Main implementing provisions
1 Interpretation of references to the Conventions and Contracting States.
1
In this Act—
“the 1968 Convention” means the Convention on jurisdiction and the enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters (including the Protocol annexed to that Convention), signed at Brussels on 27th September 1968;
“the 1971 Protocol” means the Protocol on the interpretation of the 1968 Convention by the European Court, signed at Luxembourg on 3rd June 1971;
“the Accession Convention” means the Convention on the accession to the 1968 Convention and the 1971 Protocol of Denmark, the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom, signed at Luxembourg on 9th October 1978;
F1“the 1982 Accession Convention” means the Convention on the accession of the Hellenic Republic to the 1968 convention and the 1971 Protocol, with the adjustments made to them by the Accession Convention, signed at Luxembourg on 25th October 1982;
F2 “the 1989 Accession Convention”means the Convention on the accession of the kingdom of Spain and the Portuguese Republic to the 1968 Convention and the 1971 Protocol,with the adjustments made to them by the Accession Convention and the 1982 Accession Convention, signed at Donostia-San Sebastian on 26th May 1989
F3“the 1996 Accession Convention" means the Convention on the accession of the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden to the 1968 Convention and the 1971 Protocol, with the adjustments made to them by the Accession Convention, the 1982 Accession Convention and the 1989 Accession Convention, signed at Brussels on 29th November 1996,
F4F5 “the Brussels Conventions” means the 1968 Convention, the 1971 Protocol, the Accession Convention, the 1982 Accession Convention F6, the 1989 Accession Convention and the 1996 Accession Convention.
F7“the Lugano Convention” means the Convention on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters, between the European Community and the Republic of Iceland, the Kingdom of Norway, the Swiss Confederation and the Kingdom of Denmark signed on behalf of the European Community on 30th October 2007 M1.
F8“the Maintenance Regulation” means Council Regulation (EC) No 4/2009 including as applied in relation to Denmark by virtue of the Agreement made on 19th October 2005 between the European Community and the Kingdom of Denmark;
F9“the Regulation” means Council Regulation (EC) No. 44/2001 of 22nd December 2000 on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters, as amended from time to time and as applied by the Agreement made on 19th October 2005 between the European Community and the Kingdom of Denmark on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters (OJNo. L 299 16.11.2005 at p62).
2
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—
F10a
references to, or to any provision of, the 1968 Convention or the 1971 Protocol are references to that Convention, Protocol or provision as amended by the Accession Convention and the 1982 Accession Convention F11, the 1989 Accession Convention and the 1996 Accession Convention; and
aa
F12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F13b
any reference in any provision to a numbered Article without more is a reference—
i
to the Article so numbered of the 1968 Convention, in so far as the provision applies in relation to that Convention, and
ii
to the Article so numbered of the Lugano Convention, in so far as the provision applies in relation to that Convention,
and any reference to a sub-division of a numbered Article shall be construed accordingly.
F143
F15In this Act—
“Contracting State”, without more, in any provision means—
- a
in the application of the provision in relation to the Brussels Conventions, a Brussels Contracting State; and
- b
in the application of the provision in relation to the Lugano Convention, a F16State bound by the Lugano Convention;
- a
F17“Brussels Contracting State” means a state which is one of the original parties to the 1968 Convention or one of the parties acceding to that Convention under the Accession Convention, or under the 1982 Accession Convention, or under the 1989 Accession Convention, but only with respect to any territory–
- a
to which the Brussels Conventions apply; and
- b
which is excluded from the scope of the Regulation pursuant to Article 299 of the Treaty establishing the European Community;
- a
F18“Maintenance Regulation State”, in any provision, in the application of that provision in relation to the Maintenance Regulation means a Member State;
F19“State bound by the Lugano Convention”in any provision, in the application of that provision in relation to the Lugano Convention has the same meaning as in Article 1(3) of that Convention
F20“Regulation State” in any provision, in the application of that provision in relation to the Regulation, means a Member State.
4
Any question arising as to whether it is the Regulation, any of the Brussels Conventions, or the Lugano Convention which applies in the circumstances of a particular case shall be determined as follows—
a
in accordance with F21Article 64 of the Lugano Convention (which determines the relationship between the Brussels Conventions and the Lugano Convention); and
b
in accordance with Article 68 of the Regulation (which determines the relationship between the Brussels Conventions and the Regulation).
2 The F22Brussels Conventions to have the force of law.
1
The F22Brussels Conventions shall have the force of law in the United Kingdom, and judicial notice shall be taken of them.
F232
For convenience of reference there are set out in Schedules 1, 2, 3, 3A F24, 3B and 3C respectively the English texts of—
a
b
c
Titles V and VI of the Accession Convention (transitional and final provisions) as amended by Title V of the 1989 Accession Convention;
d
Titles V and VI of the 1982 Accession Convention (transitional and final provisions); and
e
Titles VI and VII of the 1989 Accession Convention (transitional and final provisions),
F28f
Titles V and VI of the 1996 Accession Convention (transitional and final provisions),
being texts prepared from the authentic English texts referred to in Articles 37 and 41 of the Accession Convention, in Article 17 of the 1982 Accession Convention F29, in Article 34 of the 1989 Accession Convention and in Article 18 of the 1996 Accession Convention.
3 Interpretation of the F30Brussels Conventions.
1
Any question as to the meaning or effect of any provision of the F30Brussels Conventions shall, if not referred to the European Court in accordance with the 1971 Protocol, be determined in accordance with the principles laid down by and any relevant decision of the European Court.
2
Judicial notice shall be taken of any decision of, or expression of opinion by, the European Court on any such question.
3
Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the following reports (which are reproduced in the Official Journal of the Communities), namely—
a
the M2reports by Mr. P. Jenard on the 1968 Convention and the 1971 Protocol; and
c
the report by Professor Demetrios I. Evrigenis and Professor K. D. Kerameus on the 1982 Accession ConventionF32; and
d
the report by Mr. Martinho de Almeida Cruz, Mr. Manuel Desantes Real and Mr. P. Jenard on the 1989 Accession Convention,
may be considered in ascertaining the meaning or effect of any provision of the F30Brussels Conventions and shall be given such weight as is appropriate in the circumstances.
3A The Lugano Convention to have the force of law.
F33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3B Interpretation of the Lugano Convention.
F34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Supplementary provisions as to recognition and enforcement of judgments
C14 Enforcement of judgments other than maintenance orders.
1
A judgment, other than a maintenance order, which is the subject of an application under Article 31 F35of the 1968 Convention F36. . . for its enforcement in any part of the United Kingdom shall, to the extent that its enforcement is authorised by the appropriate court, be registered in the prescribed manner in that court.
In this subsection “the appropriate court” means the court to which the application is made in pursuance of Article 32 (that is to say, the High Court or the Court of Session).
2
Where a judgment is registered under this section, the reasonable costs or expenses of and incidental to its registration shall be recoverable as if they were sums recoverable under the judgment.
3
A judgment registered under this section shall, for the purposes of its enforcement, be of the same force and effect, the registering court shall have in relation to its enforcement the same powers, and proceedings for or with respect to its enforcement may be taken, as if the judgment had been originally given by the registering court and had (where relevant) been entered.
4
Subsection (3) is subject to Article 39 (restriction on enforcement where appeal pending or time for appeal unexpired), to section 7 and to any provision made by rules of court as to the manner in which and conditions subject to which a judgment registered under this section may be enforced.
C24AF66Enforcement of judgments, other than maintenance orders, under the Lugano Convention
1
Where a judgment, other than a maintenance order, is registered under the Lugano Convention, the reasonable costs or expenses of and incidental to its registration shall be recoverable as if they were sums recoverable under the judgment.
2
A judgment other than a maintenance order registered under the Lugano Convention shall, for the purposes of its enforcement, be of the same force and effect, the registering court shall have in relation to its enforcement the same powers, and proceedings for or with respect to its enforcement may be taken, as if the judgment had been originally given by the registering court and had (where relevant) been entered.
3
Subsection (2) is subject to Article 47(3) of the Lugano Convention (restriction on enforcement where appeal pending or time for appeal unexpired), to section 7 (interest on registered judgments) and to any provision made by rules of court as to the manner in which and conditions subject to which a judgment registered under the Lugano Convention may be enforced.
C35 Recognition and enforcement of maintenance orders.
C41
The function of transmitting to the appropriate court an application under Article 31 F37of the 1968 Convention F38. . . for the recognition or enforcement in the United Kingdom of a maintenance order shall be discharged—
b
as respects Scotland, by the Secretary of StateF41; and
c
as respects Northern Ireland, by the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland.
In this subsection “the appropriate court” means the magistrates’ court or sheriff court having jurisdiction in the matter in accordance with the second paragraph of Article 32.
2
Such an application shall be determined in the first instance by the prescribed officer of that court.
3
Where on such an application the enforcement of the order is authorised to any extent, the order shall to that extent be registered in the prescribed manner in that court.
4
A maintenance order registered under this section shall, for the purposes of its enforcement, be of the same force and effect, the registering court shall have in relation to its enforcement the same powers, and proceedings for or with respect to its enforcement may be taken, as if the order had been originally made by the registering court.
5
Subsection (4) is subject to Article 39 (restriction on enforcement where appeal pending or time for appeal unexpired), to section 7 and to any provision made by rules of court as to the manner in which and conditions subject to which an order registered under this section may be enforced.
F425A
A maintenance order which by virtue of this section is enforceable by a magistrates’ court in England and Wales F43shall, subject to the modifications of sections 76 and 93 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 specified in subsections (5B) and (5C) below, be enforceable in the same manner as a magistrates’ court maintenance order made by that court.
In this subsection “magistrates’ court maintenance order” has the same meaning as in section 150(1) of the M4Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980.
F445B
Section 76 (enforcement of sums adjudged to be paid) shall have effect as if for subsections (4) to (6) there were substituted the following subsections—
4
Where proceedings are brought for the enforcement of a magistrates’ court maintenance order under this section, the court may vary the order by exercising one of its powers under subsection (5) below.
5
The powers of the court are—
a
the power to order that payments under the order be made directly to F45the designated officer for the court or for any other magistrates' court;
b
the power to order that payments under the order be made to F45the designated officer for the court or for any other magistrates' court by such method of payment falling within section 59(6) above (standing order, etc.) as may be specified;
c
the power to make an attachment of earnings order under the M5Attachment of Earnings Act 1971 to secure payments under the order.
6
In deciding which of the powers under subsection (5) above it is to exercise, the court shall have regard to any representations made by the debtor (within the meaning of section 59 above).
7
Subsection (4) of section 59 above (power of court to require debtor to open account) shall apply for the purposes of subsection (5) above as it applies for the purposes of that section but as if for paragraph (a) there were substituted—
a
the court proposes to exercise its power under paragraph (b) of section 76(5) below, and
5C
In section 93 (complaint for arrears), subsection (6) (court not to impose imprisonment in certain circumstances) shall have effect as if for paragraph (b) there were substituted—
b
if the court is of the opinion that it is appropriate—
i
to make an attachment of earnings order; or
ii
to exercise its power under paragraph (b) of section 76(5) above.
6
A maintenance order which by virtue of this section is enforceable by a magistrates’ court in F46England and Wales or Northern Ireland F47shall, subject to the modifications of Article 98 of the Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 specified in subsection (6A) below, be enforceableF48as an order made by that court to which that article applies.
F496A
Article 98 (enforcement of sums adjudged to be paid) shall have effect—
a
as if for paragraph (7)(a) there were substituted the following paragraph—
a
“if the court is of the opinion that it is appropriate—
i
to make an attachment of earnings order; or
ii
to exercise its power under paragraph (8C)(b);
b
as if for paragraphs (8B) to (8D) there were substituted the following paragraphs—
8B
Upon the appearance of a person or proof of service of the summons on him as mentioned in paragraph (4) for the enforcement of an order to which this Article applies, the court or resident magistrate may vary the order by exercising one of the powers under paragraph (8C).
8C
The powers mentioned in paragraph (8B) are—
a
the power to order that payments under the order be made directly to the collecting officer;
b
the power to order that payments under the order be made to the collecting officer by such method of payment falling within Article 85(7) (standing order, etc.) as may be specified;
c
the power to make an attachment of earnings order under Part IX to secure payments under the order.
8D
In deciding which of the powers under paragraph (8C) is to be exercised, the court or, as the case may be, a resident magistrate shall have regard to any representations made by the debtor (within the meaning of Article 85).
8E
Paragraph (5) of Article 85 (power of court to require debtor to open account) shall apply for the purposes of paragraph (8C) as it applies for the purposes of that Article but as if for sub-paragraph (a) there were substituted—
a
the court proposes to exercise its power under sub-paragraph (b) of Article 98(8C), and
7
The payer under a maintenance order registered under this section in a magistrates’ court in England and Wales or Northern Ireland shall give notice of any change of address to the F50proper officer of that court.
A person who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with this subsection shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding F51level 2 on the standard scale.
F528
In subsection (7) “proper officer” means—
a
in relation to a magistrates’ court in England and Wales, the F53designated officer for the court; and
b
in relation to a magistrates’ court in Northern Ireland, the clerk of the court.
C55AF67Recognition and enforcement of maintenance orders under the Lugano Convention
1
The Secretary of State's function (under Article 39 and Annex II of the Lugano Convention) of transmitting to the appropriate court an application for the recognition or enforcement in the United Kingdom of a maintenance order (made under Article 38 of the Lugano Convention) shall be discharged—
a
as respects England and WalesF54. . . , by the Lord Chancellor; and
b
as respects Scotland, by the Scottish Ministers F55; and
c
as respects Northern Ireland, by the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland.
In this subsection “the appropriate court” means the magistrates' court or sheriff court having jurisdiction in the matter in accordance with the second paragraph of Article 39.
2
Such an application shall be determined in the first instance by the prescribed officer of the court having jurisdiction in the matter.
3
A maintenance order registered under the Lugano Convention shall, for the purposes of its enforcement, be of the same force and effect, the registering court shall have in relation to its enforcement the same powers, and proceedings for or with respect to its enforcement may be taken, as if the order had been made by the registering court.
4
Subsection (3) is subject to Article 47 of the Lugano Convention (restriction on enforcement where appeal pending or time for appeal unexpired), to subsection (6) and to any provision made by rules of court as to the manner in which and conditions subject to which an order registered under the Lugano Convention may be enforced.
5
A maintenance order which by virtue of the Lugano Convention is enforceable by a magistrates' court in England and Wales shall, subject to the modifications of sections 76 and 93 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 specified in sections 5(5B) and 5(5C) of the Act, be enforceable in the same manner as a magistrates' court maintenance order made by that court.
In this subsection “magistrates' court maintenance order” has the same meaning as in section 150(1) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980.
6
A maintenance order which by virtue of the Lugano Convention is enforceable by a magistrates' court in Northern Ireland shall, subject to the modifications of Article 98 of the Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 specified in section 5(6A) of this Act, be enforceable as an order made by that court to which that Article applies.
7
The payer under a maintenance order registered under the Lugano Convention in a magistrates' court in England and Wales or Northern Ireland shall give notice of any change of address to the proper officer of that court.
8
A person who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with subsection (7) shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.
9
In subsection (7) “proper officer” means—
a
in relation to a magistrates' court in England and Wales, the designated officer; and
b
in relation to a magistrates' court in Northern Ireland, the clerk of the court.
6 Appeals under Article 37, second paragraph and Article 41.
C61
The single further appeal on a point of law referred to F56in the 1968 Convention F57. . . in Article 37, second paragraph and Article 41 in relation to the recognition or enforcement of a judgment other than a maintenance order lies—
a
b
in Scotland, to the Inner House of the Court of Session.
C62
C73
The single further appeal on a point of law referred to F60in F61the 1968 Convention in Article 37, second paragraph and Article 41 in relation to the recognition or enforcement of a maintenance order lies—
a
b
in Scotland, to the Inner House of the Court of Session;
c
in Northern Ireland, to the Court of Appeal.
C86AF68Appeals under Article 44 and Annex IV of the Lugano Convention
1
The single further appeal on a point of law referred to in Article 44 and Annex IV of the Lugano Convention in relation to the recognition or enforcement of a judgment other than a maintenance order lies—
a
in England and Wales or Northern Ireland, to the Court of Appeal or to the Supreme Court in accordance with Part II of the Administration of Justice Act 1969 (appeals direct from the High Court to the Supreme Court);
b
in Scotland, to the Inner House of the Court of Session.
2
Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) has effect notwithstanding section 15(2) of the Administration of Justice Act 1969 (exclusion of direct appeal to the Supreme Court in cases where no appeal to that House lies from a decision of the Court of Appeal).
3
The single further appeal on a point of law referred to in Article 44 and Annex IV of the Lugano Convention in relation to the recognition or enforcement of a maintenance order lies—
a
in England and Wales, to a county court in accordance with section 111A of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980;
b
in Scotland, to the Inner House of the Court of Session;
c
in Northern Ireland, to the Court of Appeal.
C9C107 Interest on registered judgments.
1
Subject to subsection (4), where in connection with an application for registration of a judgment under section F634, 4A, 5 or 5A the applicant shows—
a
that the judgment provides for the payment of a sum of money; and
b
that in accordance with the law of the Contracting State in which the judgment was given interest on that sum is recoverable under the judgment from a particular date or time,
the rate of interest and the date or time from which it is so recoverable shall be registered with the judgment and, subject to any provision made under subsection (2), the debt resulting, apart from section 4(2), from the registration of the judgment shall carry interest in accordance with the registered particulars.
2
Provision may be made by rules of court as to the manner in which and the periods by reference to which any interest payable by virtue of subsection (1) is to be calculated and paid, including provision for such interest to cease to accrue as from a prescribed date.
3
Costs or expenses recoverable by virtue of section 4(2) shall carry interest as if they were the subject of an order for the payment of costs or expenses made by the registering court on the date of registration.
4
Interest on arrears of sums payable under a maintenance order registered under section 5 in a magistrates’ court in England and Wales or Northern Ireland shall not be recoverable in that court, but without prejudice to the operation in relation to any such order of section 2A of the M8Maintenance Orders Act 1958 or section 11A of the M9Maintenance and Affiliation Orders Act (Northern Ireland) 1966 (which enable interest to be recovered if the order is re-registered for enforcement in the High Court).
5
Except as mentioned in subsection (4), debts under judgments registered under section F644, 4A, 5 or 5A shall carry interest only as provided by this section.
C11C128 Currency of payment under registered maintenance orders.
1
Sums payable in the United Kingdom under a maintenance order by virtue of its registration under section 5 F65or 5A, including any arrears so payable, shall be paid in the currency of the United Kingdom.
2
Where the order is expressed in any other currency, the amounts shall be converted on the basis of the exchange rate prevailing on the date of registration of the order.
3
For the purposes of this section, a written certificate purporting to be signed by an officer of any bank in the United Kingdom and stating the exchange rate prevailing on a specified date shall be evidence, and in Scotland sufficient evidence, of the facts stated.
Other supplementary provisions
9 Provisions supplementary to Title VII of 1968 Convention.
1
The provisions of Title VII of the 1968 Convention F69and, apart from F70Article 64, of Title VII of the Lugano Convention (relationship between F71the Convention in question and other conventions to which Contracting States are or may become parties) shall have effect in relation to—
a
any statutory provision, whenever passed or made, implementing any such other convention in the United Kingdom; and
b
any rule of law so far as it has the effect of so implementing any such other convention,
as they have effect in relation to that other convention itself.
F721A
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
F73. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 Allocation within U.K. of jurisdiction with respect to trusts and consumer contracts.
1
The provisions of this section have effect for the purpose of allocating within the United Kingdom jurisdiction in certain proceedings in respect of which the 1968 Convention F74or the Lugano Convention confers jurisdiction on the courts of the United Kingdom generally and to which section 16 does not apply.
2
Any proceedings which by virtue of Article 5(6) (trusts) are brought in the United Kingdom shall be brought in the courts of the part of the United Kingdom in which the trust is domiciled.
3
Any proceedings which by virtue of the first paragraph of Article 14 F75of the 1968 Convention or Article 16(1) of the Lugano Convention (consumer contracts) are brought in the United Kingdom by a consumer on the ground that he is himself domiciled there shall be brought in the courts of the part of the United Kingdom in which he is domiciled.
C1311 Proof and admissibility of certain judgments and related documents.
1
For the purposes of the 1968 Convention F76. . . —
a
a document, duly authenticated, which purports to be a copy of a judgment given by a court of a Contracting State other than the United Kingdom shall without further proof be deemed to be a true copy, unless the contrary is shown; and
b
the original or a copy of any such document as is mentioned in Article 46(2) or 47 (supporting documents to be produced by a party seeking recognition or enforcement of a judgment) shall be evidence, and in Scotland sufficient evidence, of any matter to which it relates.
2
A document purporting to be a copy of a judgment given by any such court as is mentioned in subsection (1)(a) is duly authenticated for the purposes of this section if it purports—
a
to bear the seal of that court; or
b
to be certified by any person in his capacity as a judge or officer of that court to be a true copy of a judgment given by that court.
3
Nothing in this section shall prejudice the admission in evidence of any document which is admissible apart from this section.
C1411AF87Proof and admissibility of certain judgments and related documents for the purposes of the Lugano Convention
1
For the purposes of the Lugano Convention—
a
a document, duly authenticated, which purports to be a copy of a judgment given by a court of a State bound by the Lugano Convention other than the United Kingdom shall without further proof be deemed to be a true copy, unless the contrary is shown; and
b
a certificate obtained in accordance with Article 54 and Annex V shall be evidence, and in Scotland sufficient evidence, that the judgment is enforceable in the State of origin which is bound by the Lugano Convention.
2
A document purporting to be a copy of a judgment given by any such court as is mentioned in subsection (1)(a) is duly authenticated for the purposes of this section if it purports—
a
to bear the seal of that court; or
b
to be certified by any person in his capacity as a judge or officer of that court to be a true copy of a judgment given by that court.
3
Nothing in this section shall prejudice the admission in evidence of any document which is admissible apart from this section.
C1512 Provision for issue of copies of, and certificates in connection with, U.K. judgments.
Rules of court may make provision for enabling any interested party wishing to secure under the 1968 Convention F77or the Lugano Convention the recognition or enforcement in another Contracting State of a judgment given by a court in the United Kingdom to obtain, subject to any conditions specified in the rules—
a
a copy of the judgment; and
b
a certificate giving particulars relating to the judgment and the proceedings in which it was given.
13 Modifications to cover authentic instruments and court settlements.
1
Her Majesty may by Order in Council provide that—
a
any provision of this Act relating to the recognition or enforcement in the United Kingdom or elsewhere of judgments to which the 1968 Convention F78. . . applies; and
b
any other statutory provision, whenever passed or made, so relating,
shall apply, with such modifications as may be specified in the Order, in relation to documents and settlements within Title IV of the 1968 Convention F78. . . (authentic instruments and court settlements enforceable in the same manner as judgments) as if they were judgments to which F79the Convention in question applies.
2
An Order in Council under this section may make different provision in relation to different descriptions of documents and settlements.
3
Any Order in Council under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
14 Modifications consequential on revision of the Conventions.
1
If at any time it appears to Her Majesty in Council that Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom have agreed to a revision of F80F81. . . any of the Brussels Conventions, including in particular any revision connected with the accession to F81. . . the 1968 Convention of one or more further states, Her Majesty may by Order in Council make such modifications of this Act or any other statutory provision, whenever passed or made, as Her Majesty considers appropriate in consequence of the revision.
2
An Order in Council under this section shall not be made unless a draft of the Order has been laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.
3
15 Interpretation of Part I and consequential amendments.
1
In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires—
“judgment” has the meaning given by Article 25 F82of the 1968 Convention or, as the case may be, Article 32 of the Lugano Convention;
“maintenance order” means a maintenance judgment within the meaning of the 1968 Convention F83or, as the case may be, the Lugano Convention;
“payer”, in relation to a maintenance order, means the person liable to make payments for which the order provides;
“prescribed” means prescribed by rules of court.
C162
References in this Part to a judgment registered under F84sections 4, 4A, 5 or 5A include, to the extent of its registration, references to a judgment so registered to a limited extent only.
C163
Anything authorised or required by the 1968 Convention F85the Lugano Convention or this Part to be done by, to or before a particular magistrates’ court may be done by, to or before any magistrates’ court acting F86in the same local justice area (or, in Northern Ireland, for the same petty sessions district) as that court.
X14
The enactments specified in Part I of Schedule 12 shall have effect with the amendments specified there, being amendments consequential on this Part.