Children Act 1989

Variation etc. of orders for periodical payments E+W

6 (1) In exercising its powers under paragraph 1 or 2 to vary or discharge an order for the making or securing of periodical payments the court shall have regard to all the circumstances of the case, including any change in any of the matters to which the court was required to have regard when making the order. E+W

(2) The power of the court under paragraph 1 or 2 to vary an order for the making or securing of periodical payments shall include power to suspend any provision of the order temporarily and to revive any provision so suspended.

(3) Where on an application under paragraph 1 or 2 for the variation or discharge of an order for the making or securing of periodical payments the court varies the payments required to be made under that order, the court may provide that the payments as so varied shall be made from such date as the court may specify, [F1 except that, subject to sub-paragraph (9), the date shall not be] earlier than the date of the making of the application.

(4) An application for the variation of an order made under paragraph 1 for the making or securing of periodical payments to or for the benefit of a child may, if the child has reached the age of sixteen, be made by the child himself.

(5) Where an order for the making or securing of periodical payments made under paragraph 1 ceases to have effect on the date on which the child reaches the age of sixteen, or at any time after that date but before or on the date on which he reaches the age of eighteen, the child may apply to the court which made the order for an order for its revival.

(6) If on such an application it appears to the court that—

(a) the child is, will be or (if an order were made under this sub-paragraph) would be receiving instruction at an educational establishment or undergoing training for a trade, profession or vocation, whether or not while in gainful employment; or

(b) there are special circumstances which justify the making of an order under this paragraph,

the court shall have power by order to revive the order from such date as the court may specify, not being earlier than the date of the making of the application.

(7) Any order which is revived by an order under sub-paragraph (5) may be varied or discharged under that provision, on the application of any person by whom or to whom payments are required to be made under the revived order.

(8) An order for the making or securing of periodical payments made under paragraph 1 may be varied or discharged, after the death of either parent, on the application of a guardian or [F2 special guardian] of the child concerned.

[F3 (9) Where—

(a) an order under paragraph 1(2)(a) or (b) for the making or securing of periodical payments in favour of more than one child (“the order") is in force;

(b) the order requires payments specified in it to be made to or for the benefit of more than one child without apportioning those payments between them;

(c) a [F4 maintenance calculation] (“[F5 the calculation]") is made with respect to one or more, but not all, of the children with respect to whom those payments are to be made; and

(d) an application is made, before the end of the period of 6 months beginning with the date on which [F5 the calculation] was made, for the variation or discharge of the order,

the court may, in exercise of its powers under paragraph 1 to vary or discharge the order, direct that the variation or discharge shall take effect from the date on which [F5 the calculation] took effect or any later date.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Sch. 1 para. 6(3) substituted (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1993/623, art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 12

F2 Words in Sch. 1 para. 6(8) inserted (30.12.2005) by 2002 c. 38, ss. 139, 148, Sch. 3 para. 71(b) (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2005/2213, art. 2(o)

F3 Sch. 1 para. 6(9) inserted (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1993/623, art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 13

F4 Words in Sch. 1 para. 6(9)(c) substituted (3.3.2003 for specified purposes) by 2000 c. 19, ss. 26, 86(1), Sch. 3 para. 10(3)(b) (with s. 83(6)); S.I. 2003/192, arts. 3, 8, Sch.

F5 Words in Sch. 1 para. 6(9) substituted (3.3.2003 for specified purposes) by 2000 c. 19, ss. 26, 86(1), Sch. 3 para. 10(3)(a) (with s. 83(6)); S.I. 2003/192, arts. 3, 8, Sch.

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 1 para. 6 wholly in force at 14.10.1991, see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)