Child Support Act 1991

1991 CHAPTER 48

An Act to make provision for the assessment, collection and enforcement of periodical maintenance payable by certain parents with respect to children of theirs who are not in their care; for the collection and enforcement of certain other kinds of maintenance; and for connected purposes.

[25th July 1991]

Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Extent Information

E1 Act: for extent see s. 58(8)-(11)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Act applied (18.6.1992) by The Child Support (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 (S.I. 1991/2628), arts. 16(4), 49, Sch. 2; S.R. 1992/278, art.2, Sch.

Valid from 17/06/1992

The basic principles E+W+S

Valid from 05/04/1993

1 The duty to maintain. E+W+S

(1) For the purposes of this Act, each parent of a qualifying child is responsible for maintaining him.

(2) For the purposes of this Act, an absent parent shall be taken to have met his responsibility to maintain any qualifying child of his by making periodical payments of maintenance with respect to the child of such amount, and at such intervals, as may be determined in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

(3) Where a maintenance assessment made under this Act requires the making of periodical payments, it shall be the duty of the absent parent with respect to whom the assessment was made to make those payments.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 S. 1 amended (5.4.1993) by The Child Support (Northern Ireland Reciprocal Arrangements) Regulations 1993 (S.I. 1993/584), reg. 2(2), Sch.2

Valid from 05/04/1993

2 Welfare of children: the general principle. E+W+S

Where, in any case which falls to be dealt with under this Act, the Secretary of State or any child support officer is considering the exercise of any discretionary power conferred by this Act, he shall have regard to the welfare of any child likely to be affected by his decision.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3 S. 2 amended (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1993/584, reg. 2(2), Sch.2

3 Meaning of certain terms used in this Act. E+W+S

(1) A child is a “qualifying child” if—

(a) one of his parents is, in relation to him, an absent parent; or

(b) both of his parents are, in relation to him, absent parents.

(2) The parent of any child is an “absent parent”, in relation to him, if—

(a) that parent is not living in the same household with the child; and

(b) the child has his home with a person who is, in relation to him, a person with care.

(3) A person is a “person with care”, in relation to any child, if he is a person—

(a) with whom the child has his home;

(b) who usually provides day to day care for the child (whether exclusively or in conjunction with any other person); and

(c) who does not fall within a prescribed category of person.

(4) The Secretary of State shall not, under subsection (3)(c), prescribe as a category—

(a) parents;

(b) guardians;

(c) persons in whose favour residence orders under section 8 of the M1 Children Act 1989 are in force;

(d) in Scotland, persons having the right to custody of a child.

(5) For the purposes of this Act there may be more than one person with care in relation to the same qualifying child.

(6) Periodical payments which are required to be paid in accordance with a maintenance assessment are referred to in this Act as “child support maintenance”.

(7) Expressions are defined in this section only for the purposes of this Act.

Commencement Information

I1 S. 3 wholly in force; s. 3 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 3(3)(c) in force at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 3 in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

Marginal Citations

M1 1989 c. 41.

4 Child support maintenance. E+W+S

(1) A person who is, in relation to any qualifying child or any qualifying children, either the person with care or the absent parent may apply to the Secretary of State for a maintenance assessment to be made under this Act with respect to that child, or any of those children.

(2) Where a maintenance assessment has been made in response to an application under this section the Secretary of State may, if the person with care or absent parent with respect to whom the assessment was made applies to him under this subsection, arrange for—

(a) the collection of the child support maintenance payable in accordance with the assessment;

(b) the enforcement of the obligation to pay child support maintenance in accordance with the assessment.

(3) Where an application under subsection (2) for the enforcement of the obligation mentioned in subsection (2)(b) authorises the Secretary of State to take steps to enforce that obligation whenever he considers it necessary to do so, the Secretary of State may act accordingly.

(4) A person who applies to the Secretary of State under this section shall, so far as that person reasonably can, comply with such regulations as may be made by the Secretary of State with a view to the Secretary of State or the child support officer being provided with the information which is required to enable—

(a) the absent parent to be traced (where that is necessary);

(b) the amount of child support maintenance payable by the absent parent to be assessed; and

(c) that amount to be recovered from the absent parent.

(5) Any person who has applied to the Secretary of State under this section may at any time request him to cease acting under this section.

(6) It shall be the duty of the Secretary of State to comply with any request made under subsection (5) (but subject to any regulations made under subsection (8)).

(7) The obligation to provide information which is imposed by subsection (4)—

(a) shall not apply in such circumstances as may be prescribed; and

(b) may, in such circumstances as may be prescribed, be waived by the Secretary of State.

(8) The Secretary of State may by regulations make such incidental, supplemental or transitional provision as he thinks appropriate with respect to cases in which he is requested to cease to act under this section.

(9) No application may be made under this section if there is in force with respect to the person with care and absent parent in question a maintenance assessment made in response to an application under section 6.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4 S. 4(6) modified (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1992/1813, reg. 52(8)

Commencement Information

I2 S. 4 wholly in force; s. 4 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 4(4)(7)(8) in force at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 4 in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

5 Child support maintenance: supplemental provisions. E+W+S

(1) Where—

(a) there is more than one person with care of a qualifying child; and

(b) one or more, but not all, of them have parental responsibility for (or, in Scotland, parental rights over) the child;

no application may be made for a maintenance assessment with respect to the child by any of those persons who do not have parental responsibility for (or, in Scotland, parental rights over) the child.

(2) Where more than one application for a maintenance assessment is made with respect to the child concerned, only one of them may be proceeded with.

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision as to which of two or more applications for a maintenance assessment with respect to the same child is to be proceeded with.

Commencement Information

I3 S. 5 wholly in force; s. 5 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); S. 5(3) in force at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 5 in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

6 Applications by those receiving benefit. E+W+S

(1) Where income support, family credit or any other benefit of a prescribed kind is claimed by or in respect of, or paid to or in respect of, the parent of a qualifying child she shall, if—

(a) she is a person with care of the child; and

(b) she is required to do so by the Secretary of State,

authorise the Secretary of State to take action under this Act to recover child support maintenance from the absent parent.

(2) The Secretary of State shall not require a person (“the parent”) to give him the authorisation mentioned in subsection (1) if he considers that there are reasonable grounds for believing that—

(a) if the parent were to be required to give that authorisation; or

(b) if she were to give it,

there would be a risk of her, or of any child living with her, suffering harm or undue distress as a result.

(3) Subsection (2) shall not apply if the parent requests the Secretary of State to disregard it.

(4) The authorisation mentioned in subsection (1) shall extend to all children of the absent parent in relation to whom the parent first mentioned in subsection (1) is a person with care.

(5) That authorisation shall be given, without unreasonable delay, by completing and returning to the Secretary of State an application—

(a) for the making of a maintenance assessment with respect to the qualifying child or qualifying children; and

(b) for the Secretary of State to take action under this Act to recover, on her behalf, the amount of child support maintenance so assessed.

(6) Such an application shall be made on a form (“a maintenance application form”) provided by the Secretary of State.

(7) A maintenance application form shall indicate in general terms the effect of completing and returning it.

(8) Subsection (1) has effect regardless of whether any of the benefits mentioned there is payable with respect to any qualifying child.

(9) A person who is under the duty imposed by subsection (1) shall, so far as she reasonably can, comply with such regulations as may be made by the Secretary of State with a view to the Secretary of State or the child support officer being provided with the information which is required to enable—

(a) the absent parent to be traced;

(b) the amount of child support maintenance payable by the absent parent to be assessed; and

(c) that amount to be recovered from the absent parent.

(10) The obligation to provide information which is imposed by subsection (9)—

(a) shall not apply in such circumstances as may be prescribed; and

(b) may, in such circumstances as may be prescribed, be waived by the Secretary of State.

(11) A person with care who has authorised the Secretary of State under subsection (1) but who subsequently ceases to fall within that subsection may request the Secretary of State to cease acting under this section.

(12) It shall be the duty of the Secretary of State to comply with any request made under subsection (11) (but subject to any regulations made under subsection (13)).

(13) The Secretary of State may by regulations make such incidental or transitional provision as he thinks appropriate with respect to cases in which he is requested under subsection (11) to cease to act under this section.

(14) The fact that a maintenance assessment is in force with respect to a person with care shall not prevent the making of a new maintenance assessment with respect to her in response to an application under this section.

Commencement Information

I4 S. 6 wholly in force; s. 6 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 6(1) in force for specified purposes and s. 6(9)(10)(13) wholly in force at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 6 in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

7 Right of child in Scotland to apply for assessment. S

(1) A qualifying child who has attained the age of 12 years and who is habitually resident in Scotland may apply to the Secretary of State for a maintenance assessment to be made with respect to him if—

(a) no such application has been made by a person who is, with respect to that child, a person with care or an absent parent; or

(b) the Secretary of State has not been authorised under section 6 to take action under this Act to recover child support maintenance from the absent parent (other than in a case where he has waived any requirement that he should be so authorised).

(2) An application made under subsection (1) shall authorise the Secretary of State to make a maintenance assessment with respect to any other children of the absent parent who are qualifying children in the care of the same person as the child making the application.

(3) Where a maintenance assessment has been made in response to an application under this section the Secretary of State may, if the person with care, the absent parent with respect to whom the assessment was made or the child concerned applies to him under this subsection, arrange for—

(a) the collection of the child support maintenance payable in accordance with the assessment;

(b) the enforcement of the obligation to pay child support maintenance in accordance with the assessment.

(4) Where an application under subsection (3) for the enforcement of the obligation mentioned in subsection (3)(b) authorises the Secretary of State to take steps to enforce that obligation whenever he considers it necessary to do so, the Secretary of State may act accordingly.

(5) Where a child has asked the Secretary of State to proceed under this section, the person with care of the child, the absent parent and the child concerned shall, so far as they reasonably can, comply with such regulations as may be made by the Secretary of State with a view to the Secretary of State or the child support officer being provided with the information which is required to enable—

(a) the absent parent to be traced (where that is necessary);

(b) the amount of child support maintenance payable by the absent parent to be assessed; and

(c) that amount to be recovered from the absent parent.

(6) The child who has made the application (but not the person having care of him) may at any time request the Secretary of State to cease acting under this section.

(7) It shall be the duty of the Secretary of State to comply with any request made under subsection (6) (but subject to any regulations made under subsection (9)).

(8) The obligation to provide information which is imposed by subsection (5)—

(a) shall not apply in such circumstances as may be prescribed by the Secretary of State; and

(b) may, in such circumstances as may be so prescribed, be waived by the Secretary of State.

(9) The Secretary of State may by regulations make such incidental, supplemental or transitional provision as he thinks appropriate with respect to cases in which he is requested to cease to act under this section.

Commencement Information

I5 S. 7 wholly in force; s. 7 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 7(5)(8)(9) in force at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 7 in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

8 Role of the courts with respect to maintenance for children. E+W+S

(1) This subsection applies in any case where a child support officer would have jurisdiction to make a maintenance assessment with respect to a qualifying child and an absent parent of his on an application duly made by a person entitled to apply for such an assessment with respect to that child.

(2) Subsection (1) applies even though the circumstances of the case are such that a child support officer would not make an assessment if it were applied for.

(3) In any case where subsection (1) applies, no court shall exercise any power which it would otherwise have to make, vary or revive any maintenance order in relation to the child and absent parent concerned.

(4) Subsection (3) does not prevent a court from revoking a maintenance order.

(5) The Lord Chancellor or in relation to Scotland the Lord Advocate may by order provide that, in such circumstances as may be specified by the order, this section shall not prevent a court from exercising any power which it has to make a maintenance order in relation to a child if—

(a) a written agreement (whether or not enforceable) provides for the making, or securing, by an absent parent of the child of periodical payments to or for the benefit of the child; and

(b) the maintenance order which the court makes is, in all material respects, in the same terms as that agreement.

(6) This section shall not prevent a court from exercising any power which it has to make a maintenance order in relation to a child if—

(a) a maintenance assessment is in force with respect to the child;

(b) the amount of the child support maintenance payable in accordance with the assessment was determined by reference to the alternative formula mentioned in paragraph 4(3) of Schedule 1; and

(c) the court is satisfied that the circumstances of the case make it appropriate for the absent parent to make or secure the making of periodical payments under a maintenance order in addition to the child support maintenance payable by him in accordance with the maintenance assessment.

(7) This section shall not prevent a court from exercising any power which it has to make a maintenance order in relation to a child if—

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

(b) the order is made solely for the purposes of requiring the person making or securing the making of periodical payments fixed by the order to meet some or all of the expenses incurred in connection with the provision of the instruction or training.

(8) This section shall not prevent a court from exercising any power which it has to make a maintenance order in relation to a child if—

(a) a disability living allowance is paid to or in respect of him; or

(b) no such allowance is paid but he is disabled,

and the order is made solely for the purpose of requiring the person making or securing the making of periodical payments fixed by the order to meet some or all of any expenses attributable to the child’s disability.

(9) For the purposes of subsection (8), a child is disabled if he is blind, deaf or dumb or is substantially and permanently handicapped by illness, injury, mental disorder or congenital deformity or such other disability as may be prescribed.

(10) This section shall not prevent a court from exercising any power which it has to make a maintenance order in relation to a child if the order is made against a person with care of the child.

(11) In this Act “maintenance order”, in relation to any child, means an order which requires the making or securing of periodical payments to or for the benefit of the child and which is made under—

(a) Part II of the M2 Matrimonial Causes Act 1973;

(b) the M3 Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates’ Courts Act 1978;

(c) Part III of the M4 Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984;

(d) the M5 Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985;

(e) Schedule 1 to the M6 Children Act 1989; or

(f) any other prescribed enactment,

and includes any order varying or reviving such an order.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C5 S. 8 restricted (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1993/620, art.2

C6 S. 8 amended (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1993/584, reg. 2(2), Sch.2

C7 S. 8(3) modified (31.3.1993) by S.I. 1992/2644, Sch. Pt. I para. 5(1) (as substituted (31.3.1993) by S.I. 1993/966, art. 2(1))

C8 S. 8(3) excluded (31.3.1993) by S.I. 1992/2644, Sch. Pt. I para. 5(2) (as substituted (31.3.1993) by S.I. 1993/966, art. 2(1))

Commencement Information

I6 S. 8 wholly in force; s. 8 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 8(5)(9)(11)(f) in force at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 8 in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

Marginal Citations

M2 1973 c. 18.

M3 1978 c. 22.

M4 1984 c. 42.

M5 1985 c. 37.

M6 1989 c. 41.

Valid from 05/04/1993

9 Agreements about maintenance. E+W+S

(1) In this section “maintenance agreement” means any agreement for the making, or for securing the making, of periodical payments by way of maintenance, or in Scotland aliment, to or for the benefit of any child.

(2) Nothing in this Act shall be taken to prevent any person from entering into a maintenance agreement.

(3) The existence of a maintenance agreement shall not prevent any party to the agreement, or any other person, from applying for a maintenance assessment with respect to any child to or for whose benefit periodical payments are to be made or secured under the agreement.

(4) Where any agreement contains a provision which purports to restrict the right of any person to apply for a maintenance assessment, that provision shall be void.

(5) Where section 8 would prevent any court from making a maintenance order in relation to a child and an absent parent of his, no court shall exercise any power that it has to vary any agreement so as—

(a) to insert a provision requiring that absent parent to make or secure the making of periodical payments by way of maintenance, or in Scotland aliment, to or for the benefit of that child; or

(b) to increase the amount payable under such a provision.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C9 S. 9 amended (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1993/584, reg. 2(2), Sch. 2

C10 S. 9(3) excluded (31.3.1993) by S.I. 1992/2644, Sch. Pt. I para. 5(1) (as substituted (31.3.1993) by S.I. 1993/966, art. 2(1))

C11 S. 9(5) modified (31.3.1993) by S.I. 1992/2644, Sch. Pt. I para. 5(1) (as substituted (31.3.1993) by S.I. 1993/966, art. 2(1))

C12 S. 9(5)(b) excluded (31.3.1993) by S.I. 1992/2644, Sch. Pt. I para. 5(2) (as substituted (31.3.1993) by S.I. 1993/966, art. 2(1))

10 Relationship between maintenance assessments and certain court orders and related matters. E+W+S

(1) Where an order of a kind prescribed for the purposes of this subsection is in force with respect to any qualifying child with respect to whom a maintenance assessment is made, the order—

(a) shall, so far as it relates to the making or securing of periodical payments, cease to have effect to such extent as may be determined in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State; or

(b) where the regulations so provide, shall, so far as it so relates, have effect subject to such modifications as may be so determined.

(2) Where an agreement of a kind prescribed for the purposes of this subsection is in force with respect to any qualifying child with respect to whom a maintenance assessment is made, the agreement—

(a) shall, so far as it relates to the making or securing of periodical payments, be unenforceable to such extent as may be determined in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State; or

(b) where the regulations so provide, shall, so far as it so relates, have effect subject to such modifications as may be so determined.

(3) Any regulations under this section may, in particular, make such provision with respect to—

(a) any case where any person with respect to whom an order or agreement of a kind prescribed for the purposes of subsection (1) or (2) has effect applies to the prescribed court, before the end of the prescribed period, for the order or agreement to be varied in the light of the maintenance assessment and of the provisions of this Act;

(b) the recovery of any arrears under the order or agreement which fell due before the coming into force of the maintenance assessment,

as the Secretary of State considers appropriate and may provide that, in prescribed circumstances, an application to any court which is made with respect to an order of a prescribed kind relating to the making or securing of periodical payments to or for the benefit of a child shall be treated by the court as an application for the order to be revoked.

(4) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for—

(a) notification to be given by the child support officer concerned to the prescribed person in any case where that officer considers that the making of a maintenance assessment has affected, or is likely to affect, any order of a kind prescribed for the purposes of this subsection;

(b) notification to be given by the prescribed person to the Secretary of State in any case where a court makes an order which it considers has affected, or is likely to affect, a maintenance assessment.

(5) Rules may be made under section 144 of the M7 Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (rules of procedure) requiring any person who, in prescribed circumstances, makes an application to a magistrates’ court for a maintenance order to furnish the court with a statement in a prescribed form, and signed by a child support officer, as to whether or not, at the time when the statement is made, there is a maintenance assessment in force with respect to that person or the child concerned.

In this subsection—

• “maintenance order” means an order of a prescribed kind for the making or securing of periodical payments to or for the benefit of a child; and

• “prescribed” means prescribed by the rules.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C13 S. 10 amended (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1993/584, reg. 2(2), Sch.2

Marginal Citations

M7 1980 c. 43.

Valid from 17/06/1992

Maintenance assessments E+W+S

11 Maintenance assessments. E+W+S

(1) Any application for a maintenance assessment made to the Secretary of State shall be referred by him to a child support officer whose duty it shall be to deal with the application in accordance with the provision made by or under this Act.

(2) The amount of child support maintenance to be fixed by any maintenance assessment shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Part I of Schedule 1.

(3) Part II of Schedule 1 makes further provision with respect to maintenance assessments.

Commencement Information

I7 S. 11 wholly in force; s. 11 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 11 in force in respect of specified provisions of Sch. 1 at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 11 in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

12 Interim maintenance assessments. E+W+S

(1) Where it appears to a child support officer who is required to make a maintenance assessment that he does not have sufficient information to enable him to make an assessment in accordance with the provision made by or under this Act, he may make an interim maintenance assessment.

(2) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision as to interim maintenance assessments.

(3) The regulations may, in particular, make provision as to—

(a) the procedure to be followed in making an interim maintenance assessment; and

(b) the basis on which the amount of child support maintenance fixed by an interim assessment is to be calculated.

(4) Before making any interim assessment a child support officer shall, if it is reasonably practicable to do so, give written notice of his intention to make such an assessment to—

(a) the absent parent concerned;

(b) the person with care concerned; and

(c) where the application for a maintenance assessment was made under section 7, the child concerned.

(5) Where a child support officer serves notice under subsection (4), he shall not make the proposed interim assessment before the end of such period as may be prescribed.

Commencement Information

I8 S. 12 wholly in force; s. 12 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 12(2)(3)(5) in force at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 12 in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

Valid from 01/09/1992

Child support officers E+W+S

13 Child support officers. E+W+S

(1) The Secretary of State shall appoint persons (to be known as child support officers) for the purpose of exercising functions—

(a) conferred on them by this Act, or by any other enactment; or

(b) assigned to them by the Secretary of State.

(2) A child support officer may be appointed to perform only such functions as may be specified in his instrument of appointment.

(3) The Secretary of State shall appoint a Chief Child Support Officer.

(4) It shall be the duty of the Chief Child Support Officer to—

(a) advise child support officers on the discharge of their functions in relation to making, reviewing or cancelling maintenance assessments;

(b) keep under review the operation of the provision made by or under this Act with respect to making, reviewing or cancelling maintenance assessments; and

(c) report to the Secretary of State annually, in writing, on the matters with which the Chief Child Support Officer is concerned.

(5) The Secretary of State shall publish, in such manner as he considers appropriate, any report which he receives under subsection (4)(c).

(6) Any proceedings (other than for an offence) in respect of any act or omission of a child support officer which, apart from this subsection, would fall to be brought against a child support officer resident in Northern Ireland may instead be brought against the Chief Child Support Officer.

(7) For the purposes of any proceedings brought by virtue of subsection (6), the acts or omissions of the child support officer shall be treated as the acts or omissions of the Chief Child Support Officer.

Valid from 17/06/1992

Information E+W+S

14 Information required by Secretary of State. E+W+S

(1) The Secretary of State may make regulations requiring any information or evidence needed for the determination of any application under this Act, or any question arising in connection with such an application, or needed in connection with the collection or enforcement of child support or other maintenance under this Act, to be furnished—

(a) by such persons as may be determined in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State; and

(b) in accordance with the regulations.

(2) Where the Secretary of State has in his possession any information acquired by him in connection with his functions under any of the benefit Acts, he may—

(a) make use of that information for purposes of this Act; or

(b) disclose it to the Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland for purposes of any enactment corresponding to this Act and having effect with respect to Northern Ireland.

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision authorising the disclosure by him or by child support officers, in such circumstances as may be prescribed, of such information held by them for purposes of this Act as may be prescribed.

(4) The provisions of Schedule 2 (which relate to information which is held for purposes other than those of this Act but which is required by the Secretary of State) shall have effect.

Commencement Information

I9 S. 14 wholly in force; s. 14 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 14(1)(3) wholly in force and s. 14(4) in force so far as it relates to Sch. 2 para. 2(4) at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 14 in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

Valid from 05/04/1993

15 Powers of inspectors. E+W+S

(1) Where, in a particular case, the Secretary of State considers it appropriate to do so for the purpose of acquiring information which he or any child support officer requires for purposes of this Act, he may appoint a person to act as an inspector under this section.

(2) Every inspector shall be furnished with a certificate of his appointment.

(3) Without prejudice to his being appointed to act in relation to any other case, or being appointed to act for a further period in relation to the case in question, an inspector’s appointment shall cease at the end of such period as may be specified.

(4) An inspector shall have power—

(a) to enter at all reasonable times—

(i) any specified premises, other than premises used solely as a dwelling-house; and

(ii) any premises which are not specified but which are used by any specified person for the purpose of carrying on any trade, profession, vocation or business; and

(b) to make such examination and enquiry there as he considers appropriate.

(5) An inspector exercising his powers may question any person aged 18 or over whom he finds on the premises.

(6) If required to do so by an inspector exercising his powers, any person who is or has been—

(a) an occupier of the premises in question;

(b) an employer or an employee working at or from those premises;

(c) carrying on at or from those premises any trade, profession, vocation or business;

(d) an employee or agent of any person mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c),

shall furnish to the inspector all such information and documents as the inspector may reasonably require.

(7) No person shall be required under this section to answer any question or to give any evidence tending to incriminate himself or, in the case of a person who is married, his or her spouse.

(8) On applying for admission to any premises in the exercise of his powers, an inspector shall, if so required, produce his certificate.

(9) If any person—

(a) intentionally delays or obstructs any inspector exercising his powers; or

(b) without reasonable excuse, refuses or neglects to answer any question or furnish any information or to produce any document when required to do so under this section,

he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(10) In this section—

• “certificate” means a certificate of appointment issued under this section;

• “inspector” means an inspector appointed under this section;

• “powers” means powers conferred by this section; and

• “specified” means specified in the certificate in question.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C14 S. 15 amended (5.4.1993) by The Child Support (Northern Ireland Reciprocal Arrangements) Regulations 1993 (S.I. 1993/584), reg. 2(2), Sch. 2

Valid from 17/06/1992

Reviews and appeals U.K.

16 Periodical reviews. E+W+S

(1) The Secretary of State shall make such arrangements as he considers necessary to secure that, where any maintenance assessment has been in force for a prescribed period, the amount of child support maintenance fixed by that assessment (“the original assessment”) is reviewed by a child support officer under this section as soon as is reasonably practicable after the end of that prescribed period.

(2) Before conducting any review under this section, the child support officer concerned shall give, to such persons as may be prescribed, such notice of the proposed review as may be prescribed.

(3) A review shall be conducted under this section as if a fresh application for a maintenance assessment had been made by the person in whose favour the original assessment was made.

(4) On completing any review under this section, the child support officer concerned shall make a fresh maintenance assessment, unless he is satisfied that the original assessment has ceased to have effect or should be brought to an end.

(5) Where a fresh maintenance assessment is made under subsection (4), it shall take effect—

(a) on the day immediately after the end of the prescribed period mentioned in subsection (1); or

(b) in such circumstances as may be prescribed, on such later date as may be determined in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(6) The Secretary of State may by regulations prescribe circumstances (for example, where the maintenance assessment is about to terminate) in which a child support officer may decide not to conduct a review under this section.

Commencement Information

I10 S. 16 wholly in force; s. 16 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 16(1)(2)(5)(6) in force at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 16 in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

17 Reviews on change of circumstances. E+W+S

(1) Where a maintenance assessment is in force—

(a) the absent parent or person with care with respect to whom it was made; or

(b) where the application for the assessment was made under section 7, either of them or the child concerned,

may apply to the Secretary of State for the amount of child support maintenance fixed by that assessment (“the original assessment”) to be reviewed under this section.

(2) An application under this section may be made only on the ground that, by reason of a change of circumstance since the original assessment was made, the amount of child support maintenance payable by the absent parent would be significantly different if it were to be fixed by a maintenance assessment made by reference to the circumstances of the case as at the date of the application.

(3) The child support officer to whom an application under this section has been referred shall not proceed unless, on the information before him, he considers that it is likely that he will be required by subsection (6) to make a fresh maintenance assessment if he conducts the review applied for.

(4) Before conducting any review under this section, the child support officer concerned shall give to such persons as may be prescribed, such notice of the proposed review as may be prescribed.

(5) A review shall be conducted under this section as if a fresh application for a maintenance assessment had been made by the person in whose favour the original assessment was made.

(6) On completing any review under this section, the child support officer concerned shall make a fresh maintenance assessment, unless—

(a) he is satisfied that the original assessment has ceased to have effect or should be brought to an end; or

(b) the difference between the amount of child support maintenance fixed by the original assessment and the amount that would be fixed if a fresh assessment were to be made as a result of the review is less than such amount as may be prescribed.

Commencement Information

I11 S. 17 wholly in force; s. 17 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); S. 17(4)(6)(b) in force at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 17 in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

18 Reviews of decisions of child support officers. E+W+S

(1) Where—

(a) an application for a maintenance assessment is refused; or

(b) an application, under section 17, for the review of a maintenance assessment which is in force is refused,

the person who made that application may apply to the Secretary of State for the refusal to be reviewed.

(2) Where a maintenance assessment is in force—

(a) the absent parent or person with care with respect to whom it was made; or

(b) where the application for the assessment was made under section 7, either of them or the child concerned,

may apply to the Secretary of State for the assessment to be reviewed.

(3) Where a maintenance assessment is cancelled the appropriate person may apply to the Secretary of State for the cancellation to be reviewed.

(4) Where an application for the cancellation of a maintenance assessment is refused, the appropriate person may apply to the Secretary of State for the refusal to be reviewed.

(5) An application under this section shall give the applicant’s reasons (in writing) for making it.

(6) The Secretary of State shall refer to a child support officer any application under this section which is duly made; and the child support officer shall conduct the review applied for unless in his opinion there are no reasonable grounds for supposing that the refusal, assessment or cancellation in question—

(a) was made in ignorance of a material fact;

(b) was based on a mistake as to a material fact;

(c) was wrong in law.

(7) The Secretary of State shall arrange for a review under this section to be conducted by a child support officer who played no part in taking the decision which is to be reviewed.

(8) Before conducting any review under this section, the child support officer concerned shall give to such persons as may be prescribed, such notice of the proposed review as may be prescribed.

(9) If a child support officer conducting a review under this section is satisfied that a maintenance assessment or (as the case may be) a fresh maintenance assessment should be made, he shall proceed accordingly.

(10) In making a maintenance assessment by virtue of subsection (9), a child support officer shall, if he is aware of any material change of circumstance since the decision being reviewed was taken, take account of that change of circumstance in making the assessment.

(11) The Secretary of State may make regulations—

(a) as to the manner in which applications under this section are to be made;

(b) as to the procedure to be followed with respect to such applications; and

(c) with respect to reviews conducted under this section.

(12) In this section “appropriate person” means—

(a) the absent parent or person with care with respect to whom the maintenance assessment in question was, or remains, in force; or

(b) where the application for that assessment was made under section 7, either of those persons or the child concerned.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C15 S. 18 applied (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1992/1813, reg. 52(4)(5); s. 18(5)-(8) extended (with modifications) (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1992/1813, reg. 9(6)(7); s. 18(5)-(9)(11) applied (with modifications) (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1992/1813, reg. 52(4)(5); s. 18(5)-(9)(11) applied (with modifications) (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1992/1816, reg. 12(1)(3)

Commencement Information

I12 S. 18 wholly in force; s. 18 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 18(8)(11) in force at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 18 in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

Valid from 05/04/1993

19 Reviews at instigation of child support officers. E+W+S

(1) Where a child support officer is not conducting a review under section 16, 17 or 18 but is nevertheless satisfied that a maintenance assessment which is in force is defective by reason of—

(a) having been made in ignorance of a material fact;

(b) having been based on a mistake as to a material fact; or

(c) being wrong in law,

he may make a fresh maintenance assessment on the assumption that the person in whose favour the original assessment was made has made a fresh application for a maintenance assessment.

(2) Where a child support officer is not conducting such a review but is nevertheless satisfied that if an application were to be made under section 17 or 18 it would be appropriate to make a fresh maintenance assessment, he may do so.

(3) Before making a fresh maintenance assessment under this section, a child support officer shall give to such persons as may be prescribed such notice of his proposal to make a fresh assessment as may be prescribed.

Commencement Information

I13 S. 19 partly in force; s. 19 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 19(1)(2) in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

Valid from 05/04/1993

20 Appeals. E+W+S

(1) Any person who is aggrieved by the decision of a child support officer—

(a) on a review under section 18;

(b) to refuse an application for such a review,

may appeal to a child support appeal tribunal against that decision.

(2) Except with leave of the chairman of a child support appeal tribunal, no appeal under this section shall be brought after the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which notification was given of the decision in question.

(3) Where an appeal under this section is allowed, the tribunal shall remit the case to the Secretary of State, who shall arrange for it to be dealt with by a child support officer.

(4) The tribunal may, in remitting any case under this section, give such directions as it considers appropriate.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C16 S. 20 applied (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1992/1813, reg. 42(7)

C17 S. 20(2)-(4) modified (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1993/961, arts.6,7

21 Child support appeal tribunals. E+W+S

(1) There shall be tribunals to be known as child support appeal tribunals which shall, subject to any order made under section 45, hear and determine appeals under section 20.

(2) The Secretary of State may make such regulations with respect to proceedings before child support appeal tribunals as he considers appropriate.

(3) The regulations may in particular make provision—

(a) as to procedure;

(b) for the striking out of appeals for want of prosecution;

(c) as to the persons entitled to appear and be heard on behalf of any of the parties;

(d) requiring persons to attend and give evidence or to produce documents;

(e) about evidence;

(f) for authorising the administration of oaths;

(g) as to confidentiality;

(h) for notification of the result of an appeal to be given to such persons as may be prescribed.

(4) Schedule 3 shall have effect with respect to child support appeal tribunals.

Commencement Information

I14 S. 21 wholly in force; s. 21 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 21(2)(3) wholly in force and s. 21(4) in force so far as it relates to Sch. 3 para. 3(3) at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 21(1)(4) in force in so far as not already in force at 1.9.1992 by S.I. 1992/1938, art. 2; s. 21 in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

22 Child Support Commissioners. E+W+S

(1) Her Majesty may from time to time appoint a Chief Child Support Commissioner and such number of other Child Support Commissioners as she may think fit.

(2) The Chief Child Support Commissioner and the other Child Support Commissioners shall be appointed from among persons who—

(a) have a 10 year general qualification; or

(b) are advocates or solicitors in Scotland of 10 years’ standing.

(3) The Lord Chancellor, after consulting the Lord Advocate, may make such regulations with respect to proceedings before Child Support Commissioners as he considers appropriate.

(4) The regulations—

(a) may, in particular, make any provision of a kind mentioned in section 21(3); and

(b) shall provide that any hearing before a Child Support Commissioner shall be in public except in so far as the Commissioner for special reasons directs otherwise.

(5) Schedule 4 shall have effect with respect to Child Support Commissioners.

Commencement Information

I15 S. 22 wholly in force; s. 22 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 22(3)(4) in force at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 22(1)(2)(5) in force at 1.9.1992 by S.I. 1992/1938, art. 2; s. 22 in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

Valid from 01/09/1992

23 Child Support Commissioners for Northern Ireland. U.K.

(1) Her Majesty may from time to time appoint a Chief Child Support Commissioner for Northern Ireland and such number of other Child Support Commissioners for Northern Ireland as she may think fit.

(2) The Chief Child Support Commissioner for Northern Ireland and the other Child Support Commissioners for Northern Ireland shall be appointed from among persons who are barristers or solicitors of not less than 10 years’ standing.

(3) Schedule 4 shall have effect with respect to Child Support Commissioners for Northern Ireland, subject to the modifications set out in paragraph 8.

(4) Subject to any Order made after the passing of this Act by virtue of subsection (1)(a) of section 3 of the M8 Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973, the matters to which this subsection applies shall not be transferred matters for the purposes of that Act but shall for the purposes of subsection (2) of that section be treated as specified in Schedule 3 to that Act.

(5) Subsection (4) applies to all matters relating to Child Support Commissioners, including procedure and appeals, other than those specified in paragraph 9 of Schedule 2 to the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C18 S. 23 applied (18.6.1992) by S.I. 1991/2628, art. 2; S.R. 1992/278, art.2, Sch.

Marginal Citations

M8 1973 c. 36.

24 Appeal to Child Support Commissioner. E+W+S

(1) Any person who is aggrieved by a decision of a child support appeal tribunal, and any child support officer, may appeal to a Child Support Commissioner on a question of law.

(2) Where, on an appeal under this section, a Child Support Commissioner holds that the decision appealed against was wrong in law he shall set it aside.

(3) Where a decision is set aside under subsection (2), the Child Support Commissioner may—

(a) if he can do so without making fresh or further findings of fact, give the decision which he considers should have been given by the child support appeal tribunal;

(b) if he considers it expedient, make such findings and give such decision as he considers appropriate in the light of those findings; or

(c) refer the case, with directions for its determination, to a child support officer or, if he considers it appropriate, to a child support appeal tribunal.

(4) Any reference under subsection (3) to a child support officer shall, subject to any direction of the Child Support Commissioner, be to a child support officer who has taken no part in the decision originally appealed against.

(5) On a reference under subsection (3) to a child support appeal tribunal, the tribunal shall, subject to any direction of the Child Support Commissioner, consist of persons who were not members of the tribunal which gave the decision which has been appealed against.

(6) No appeal lies under this section without the leave—

(a) of the person who was the chairman of the child support appeal tribunal when the decision appealed against was given or of such other chairman of a child support appeal tribunal as may be determined in accordance with regulations made by the Lord Chancellor; or

(b) subject to and in accordance with regulations so made, of a Child Support Commissioner.

(7) The Lord Chancellor may by regulations make provision as to the manner in which, and the time within which, appeals under this section are to be brought and applications for leave under this section are to be made.

(8) Where a question which would otherwise fall to be determined by a child support officer first arises in the course of an appeal to a Child Support Commissioner, he may, if he thinks fit, determine it even though it has not been considered by a child support officer.

(9) Before making any regulations under subsection (6) or (7), the Lord Chancellor shall consult the Lord Advocate.

Commencement Information

I16 S. 24 wholly in force; s. 24 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 24(6)(7) in force at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 24(9) in force at 1.9.1992 by S.I. 1992/1938, art. 2; s. 24 in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

25 Appeal from Child Support Commissioner on question of law. E+W+S

(1) An appeal on a question of law shall lie to the appropriate court from any decision of a Child Support Commissioner.

(2) No such appeal may be brought except—

(a) with leave of the Child Support Commissioner who gave the decision or, where regulations made by the Lord Chancellor so provide, of a Child Support Commissioner selected in accordance with the regulations; or

(b) if the Child Support Commissioner refuses leave, with the leave of the appropriate court.

(3) An application for leave to appeal under this section against a decision of a Child Support Commissioner (“the appeal decision”) may only be made by—

(a) a person who was a party to the proceedings in which the original decision, or appeal decision, was given;

(b) the Secretary of State; or

(c) any other person who is authorised to do so by regulations made by the Lord Chancellor.

(4) In this section—

• “appropriate court” means the Court of Appeal unless in a particular case the Child Support Commissioner to whom the application for leave is made directs that, having regard to the circumstances of the case, and in particular the convenience of the persons who may be parties to the appeal, the appropriate court is the Court of Session; and

• “original decision” means the decision to which the appeal decision in question relates.

(5) The Lord Chancellor may by regulations make provision with respect to—

(a) the manner in which and the time within which applications must be made to a Child Support Commissioner for leave under this section; and

(b) the procedure for dealing with such applications.

(6) Before making any regulations under subsection (2), (3) or (5), the Lord Chancellor shall consult the Lord Advocate.

Commencement Information

I17 S. 25 wholly in force; s. 25 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 25(2)(a)(3)(c)(5)(6) in force at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 25 in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

Valid from 05/04/1993

26 Disputes about parentage. E+W+S

(1) Where a person who is alleged to be a parent of the child with respect to whom an application for a maintenance assessment has been made (“the alleged parent”) denies that he is one of the child’s parents, the child support officer concerned shall not make a maintenance assessment on the assumption that the alleged parent is one of the child’s parents unless the case falls within one of those set out in subsection (2).

(2) The Cases are —

Case A

Where the alleged parent is a parent of the child in question by virtue of having adopted him.

Case B

Where the alleged parent is a parent of the child in question by virtue of an order under section 30 of the M9 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (parental orders in favour of gamete donors).

Case C

Where—

(a) either—

(i) a declaration that the alleged parent is a parent of the child in question (or a declaration which has that effect) is in force under section 56 of the M10 Family Law Act 1986 (declarations of parentage); or

(ii) a declarator by a court in Scotland that the alleged parent is a parent of the child in question (or a declarator which has that effect) is in force; and

(b) the child has not subsequently been adopted.

Case D

Where—

(a) a declaration to the effect that the alleged parent is one of the parents of the child in question has been made under section 27; and

(b) the child has not subsequently been adopted.

Case E

Where—

(a) the child is habitually resident in Scotland;

(b) the child support officer is satisfied that one or other of the presumptions set out in section 5(1) of the M11 Law Reform (Parent and Child) (Scotland) Act 1986 applies; and

(c) the child has not subsequently been adopted.

Case F

Where—

(a) the alleged parent has been found, or adjudged, to be the father of the child in question—

(i) in proceedings before any court in England and Wales which are relevant proceedings for the purposes of section 12 of the M12 Civil Evidence Act 1968; or

(ii) in affiliation proceedings before any court in the United Kingdom,

(whether or not he offered any defence to the allegation of paternity) and that finding or adjudication still subsists; and

(b) the child has not subsequently been adopted.

(3) In this section—

• “adopted” means adopted within the meaning of Part IV of the M13 Adoption Act 1976 or, in relation to Scotland, Part IV of the M14 Adoption (Scotland) Act 1978; and

• “affiliation proceedings”, in relation to Scotland, means any action of affiliation and aliment.

Marginal Citations

M9 1990 c. 37.

M10 1986 c. 55.

M11 1986 c. 9.

M12 1968 c. 64.

M13 1976 c. 36.

M14 1978 c. 28.

Valid from 05/04/1993

27 Reference to court for declaration of parentage. E+W

(1) Where—

(a) a child support officer is considering whether to make a maintenance assessment with respect to a person who is alleged to be a parent of the child, or one of the children, in question (“the alleged parent”);

(b) the alleged parent denies that he is one of the child’s parents; and

(c) the child support officer is not satisfied that the case falls within one of those set out in section 26(2),

the Secretary of State or the person with care may apply to the court for a declaration as to whether or not the alleged parent is one of the child’s parents.

(2) If, on hearing any application under subsection (1), the court is satisfied that the alleged parent is, or is not, a parent of the child in question it shall make a declaration to that effect.

(3) A declaration under this section shall have effect only for the purposes of this Act.

(4) In this section “court” means, subject to any provision made under Schedule 11 to the M15 Children Act 1989 (jurisdiction of courts with respect to certain proceedings relating to children) the High Court, a county court or a magistrates’ court.

(5) In the definition of “relevant proceedings” in section 12(5) of the Civil Evidence Act 1968 (findings of paternity etc. as evidence in civil proceedings) the following paragraph shall be added at the end—

“(d)

section 27 of the Child Support Act 1991.”

(6) This section does not apply to Scotland.

Marginal Citations

M15 1989 c. 41.

Valid from 05/04/1993

28 Power of Secretary of State to initiate or defend actions of declarator: Scotland. S

(1) Where—

(a) a child support officer is considering whether to make a maintenance assessment with respect to a person who is alleged to be a parent of the child, or one of the children, in question (“the alleged parent”);

(b) the alleged parent denies that he is a parent of the child in question; and

(c) the child support officer is not satisfied that the case falls within one of those set out in section 26(2),

the Secretary of State may bring an action for declarator of parentage under section 7 of the M16 Law Reform (Parent and Child) (Scotland) Act 1986.

(2) The Secretary of State may defend an action for declarator of non-parentage or illegitimacy brought by a person named as the alleged parent in an application for a maintenance assessment.

(3) This section applies to Scotland only.

Marginal Citations

M16 1986 c. 9.

Valid from 17/06/1992

Collection and enforcement E+W+S

29 Collection of child support maintenance. E+W+S

(1) The Secretary of State may arrange for the collection of any child support maintenance payable in accordance with a maintenance assessment where—

(a) the assessment is made by virtue of section 6; or

(b) an application has been made to the Secretary of State under section 4(2) or 7(3) for him to arrange for its collection.

(2) Where a maintenance assessment is made under this Act, payments of child support maintenance under the assessment shall be made in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(3) The regulations may, in particular, make provision—

(a) for payments of child support maintenance to be made—

(i) to the person caring for the child or children in question;

(ii) to, or through, the Secretary of State; or

(iii) to, or through, such other person as the Secretary of State may, from time to time, specify;

(b) as to the method by which payments of child support maintenance are to be made;

(c) as to the intervals at which such payments are to be made;

(d) as to the method and timing of the transmission of payments which are made, to or through the Secretary of State or any other person, in accordance with the regulations;

(e) empowering the Secretary of State to direct any person liable to make payments in accordance with the assessment—

(i) to make them by standing order or by any other method which requires one person to give his authority for payments to be made from an account of his to an account of another’s on specific dates during the period for which the authority is in force and without the need for any further authority from him;

(ii) to open an account from which payments under the assessment may be made in accordance with the method of payment which that person is obliged to adopt;

(f) providing for the making of representations with respect to matters with which the regulations are concerned.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C19 S. 29 amended (5.4.1993) by The Child Support (Northern Ireland Reciprocal Arrangements) Regulations 1993 (S.I. 1993/584), reg. 2(2), Sch.2

C20 S. 29(2)(3) applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1992/2643, reg.3; s. 29(2)(3) applied (with modifications) (S.) (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1992/2643, reg.4

Commencement Information

I18 S. 29 wholly in force; s. 29 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 29(2)(3) in force at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 29 in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

30 Collection and enforcement of other forms of maintenance. E+W+S

(1) Where the Secretary of State is arranging for the collection of any payments under section 29 or subsection (2), he may also arrange for the collection of any periodical payments, or secured periodical payments, of a prescribed kind which are payable to or for the benefit of any person who falls within a prescribed category.

(2) The Secretary of State may arrange for the collection of any periodical payments or secured periodical payments of a prescribed kind which are payable for the benefit of a child even though he is not arranging for the collection of child support maintenance with respect to that child.

(3) Where—

(a) the Secretary of State is arranging, under this Act, for the collection of different payments (“the payments”) from the same absent parent;

(b) an amount is collected by the Secretary of State from the absent parent which is less than the total amount due in respect of the payments; and

(c) the absent parent has not stipulated how that amount is to be allocated by the Secretary of State as between the payments,

the Secretary of State may allocate that amount as he sees fit.

(4) In relation to England and Wales, the Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for sections 29 and 31 to 40 to apply, with such modifications (if any) as he considers necessary or expedient, for the purpose of enabling him to enforce any obligation to pay any amount which he is authorised to collect under this section.

(5) In relation to Scotland, the Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for the purpose of enabling him to enforce any obligation to pay any amount which he is authorised to collect under this section—

(a) empowering him to bring any proceedings or take any other steps (other than diligence against earnings) which could have been brought or taken by or on behalf of the person to whom the periodical payments are payable;

(b) applying sections 29, 31 and 32 with such modifications (if any) as he considers necessary or expedient.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C21 S. 30 amended (5.4.1993) by The Child Support (Northern Ireland Reciprocal Arrangements) Regulations 1993 (S.I. 1993/584), reg. 2(2), Sch. 2

Commencement Information

I19 S. 30 partly in force; s. 30 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 30(1)(4)(5) in force at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 30(3) in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

31 Deduction from earnings orders. E+W+S

(1) This section applies where any person (“the liable person”) is liable to make payments of child support maintenance.

(2) The Secretary of State may make an order (“a deduction from earnings order”) against a liable person to secure the payment of any amount due under the maintenance assessment in question.

(3) A deduction from earnings order may be made so as to secure the payment of—

(a) arrears of child support maintenance payable under the assessment;

(b) amounts of child support maintenance which will become due under the assessment; or

(c) both such arrears and such future amounts.

(4) A deduction from earnings order—

(a) shall be expressed to be directed at a person (“the employer”) who has the liable person in his employment; and

(b) shall have effect from such date as may be specified in the order.

(5) A deduction from earnings order shall operate as an instruction to the employer to—

(a) make deductions from the liable person’s earnings; and

(b) pay the amounts deducted to the Secretary of State.

(6) The Secretary of State shall serve a copy of any deduction from earnings order which he makes under this section on—

(a) the person who appears to the Secretary of State to have the liable person in question in his employment; and

(b) the liable person.

(7) Where—

(a) a deduction from earnings order has been made; and

(b) a copy of the order has been served on the liable person’s employer,

it shall be the duty of that employer to comply with the order; but he shall not be under any liability for non-compliance before the end of the period of 7 days beginning with the date on which the copy was served on him.

(8) In this section and in section 32 “earnings” has such meaning as may be prescribed.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C22 S. 31 applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1992/2643, reg.3; s. 31 applied (with modifications) (S.) (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1992/2643, reg.4

Commencement Information

I20 S. 31 wholly in force; s. 31 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 31(8) in force at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 31 in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

32 Regulations about deduction from earnings orders. E+W+S

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision with respect to deduction from earnings orders.

(2) The regulations may, in particular, make provision—

(a) as to the circumstances in which one person is to be treated as employed by another;

(b) requiring any deduction from earnings under an order to be made in the prescribed manner;

(c) requiring an order to specify the amount or amounts to which the order relates and the amount or amounts which are to be deducted from the liable person’s earnings in order to meet his liabilities under the maintenance assessment in question;

(d) requiring the intervals between deductions to be made under an order to be specified in the order;

(e) as to the payment of sums deducted under an order to the Secretary of State;

(f) allowing the person who deducts and pays any amount under an order to deduct from the liable person’s earnings a prescribed sum towards his administrative costs;

(g) with respect to the notification to be given to the liable person of amounts deducted, and amounts paid, under the order;

(h) requiring any person on whom a copy of an order is served to notify the Secretary of State in the prescribed manner and within a prescribed period if he does not have the liable person in his employment or if the liable person ceases to be in his employment;

(i) as to the operation of an order where the liable person is in the employment of the Crown;

(j) for the variation of orders;

(k) similar to that made by section 31(7), in relation to any variation of an order;

(l) for an order to lapse when the employer concerned ceases to have the liable person in his employment;

(m) as to the revival of an order in such circumstances as may be prescribed;

(n) allowing or requiring an order to be discharged;

(o) as to the giving of notice by the Secretary of State to the employer concerned that an order has lapsed or has ceased to have effect.

(3) The regulations may include provision that while a deduction from earnings order is in force—

(a) the liable person shall from time to time notify the Secretary of State, in the prescribed manner and within a prescribed period, of each occasion on which he leaves any employment or becomes employed, or re-employed, and shall include in such a notification a statement of his earnings and expected earnings from the employment concerned and of such other matters as may be prescribed;

(b) any person who becomes the liable person’s employer and knows that the order is in force shall notify the Secretary of State, in the prescribed manner and within a prescribed period, that he is the liable person’s employer, and shall include in such a notification a statement of the liable person’s earnings and expected earnings from the employment concerned and of such other matters as may be prescribed.

(4) The regulations may include provision with respect to the priority as between a deduction from earnings order and—

(a) any other deduction from earnings order;

(b) any order under any other enactment relating to England and Wales which provides for deductions from the liable person’s earnings;

(c) any diligence against earnings.

(5) The regulations may include a provision that a liable person may appeal to a magistrates’ court (or in Scotland to the sheriff) if he is aggrieved by the making of a deduction from earnings order against him, or by the terms of any such order, or there is a dispute as to whether payments constitute earnings or as to any other prescribed matter relating to the order.

(6) On an appeal under subsection (5) the court or (as the case may be) the sheriff shall not question the maintenance assessment by reference to which the deduction from earnings order was made.

(7) Regulations made by virtue of subsection (5) may include provision as to the powers of a magistrates’ court, or in Scotland of the sheriff, in relation to an appeal (which may include provision as to the quashing of a deduction from earnings order or the variation of the terms of such an order).

(8) If any person fails to comply with the requirements of a deduction from earnings order, or with any regulation under this section which is designated for the purposes of this subsection, he shall be guilty of an offence.

(9) In subsection (8) “designated” means designated by the regulations.

(10) It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (8) to prove that he took all reasonable steps to comply with the requirements in question.

(11) Any person guilty of an offence under subsection (8) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level two on the standard scale.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C23 S. 32 applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1992/2643, reg.3; s. 32 applied (with modifications) (S.) (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1992/2643, reg.4

Commencement Information

I21 S. 32 wholly in force; s. 32 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 32(1)-(5)(7)-(9) in force at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 32 in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

Valid from 05/04/1993

33 Liability orders. E+W+S

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a person who is liable to make payments of child support maintenance (“the liable person”) fails to make one or more of those payments; and

(b) it appears to the Secretary of State that—

(i) it is inappropriate to make a deduction from earnings order against him (because, for example, he is not employed); or

(ii) although such an order has been made against him, it has proved ineffective as a means of securing that payments are made in accordance with the maintenance assessment in question.

(2) The Secretary of State may apply to a magistrates’ court or, in Scotland, to the sheriff for an order (“a liability order”) against the liable person.

(3) Where the Secretary of State applies for a liability order, the magistrates’ court or (as the case may be) sheriff shall make the order if satisfied that the payments in question have become payable by the liable person and have not been paid.

(4) On an application under subsection (2), the court or (as the case may be) the sheriff shall not question the maintenance assessment under which the payments of child support maintenance fell to be made.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C24 S. 33 applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1992/2643, reg.3

34 Regulations about liability orders. E+W+S

(1) The Secretary of State may make regulations in relation to England and Wales—

(a) prescribing the procedure to be followed in dealing with an application by the Secretary of State for a liability order;

(b) prescribing the form and contents of a liability order; and

(c) providing that where a magistrates’ court has made a liability order, the person against whom it is made shall, during such time as the amount in respect of which the order was made remains wholly or partly unpaid, be under a duty to supply relevant information to the Secretary of State.

(2) In subsection (1) “relevant information” means any information of a prescribed description which is in the possession of the liable person and which the Secretary of State has asked him to supply.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C25 S. 34 applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1992/2643, reg.3

Commencement Information

I22 S. 34 partly in force; s. 34 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 34(1) in force at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.

35 Enforcement of liability orders by distress. E+W

(1) Where a liability order has been made against a person (“the liable person”), the Secretary of State may levy the appropriate amount by distress and sale of the liable person’s goods.

(2) In subsection (1), “the appropriate amount” means the aggregate of—

(a) the amount in respect of which the order was made, to the extent that it remains unpaid; and

(b) an amount, determined in such manner as may be prescribed, in respect of the charges connected with the distress.

(3) The Secretary of State may, in exercising his powers under subsection (1) against the liable person’s goods, seize—

(a) any of the liable person’s goods except—

(i) such tools, books, vehicles and other items of equipment as are necessary to him for use personally by him in his employment, business or vocation;

(ii) such clothing, bedding, furniture, household equipment and provisions as are necessary for satisfying his basic domestic needs; and

(b) any money, banknotes, bills of exchange, promissory notes, bonds, specialties or securities for money belonging to the liable person.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (3), the liable person’s domestic needs shall be taken to include those of any member of his family with whom he resides.

(5) No person levying a distress under this section shall be taken to be a trespasser—

(a) on that account; or

(b) from the beginning, on account of any subsequent irregularity in levying the distress.

(6) A person sustaining special damage by reason of any irregularity in levying a distress under this section may recover full satisfaction for the damage (and no more) by proceedings in trespass or otherwise.

(7) The Secretary of State may make regulations supplementing the provisions of this section.

(8) The regulations may, in particular—

(a) provide that a distress under this section may be levied anywhere in England and Wales;

(b) provide that such a distress shall not be deemed unlawful on account of any defect or want of form in the liability order;

(c) provide for an appeal to a magistrates’ court by any person aggrieved by the levying of, or an attempt to levy, a distress under this section;

(d) make provision as to the powers of the court on an appeal (which may include provision as to the discharge of goods distrained or the payment of compensation in respect of goods distrained and sold).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C26 S. 35 applied (with modifications) (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1992/2643, reg.3

Commencement Information

I23 S. 35 wholly in force; s. 35 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 35(2)(b)(7)(8) in force at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 35 in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

Valid from 05/04/1993

36 Enforcement in county courts. E+W+S

(1) Where a liability order has been made against a person, the amount in respect of which the order was made, to the extent that it remains unpaid, shall, if a county court so orders, be recoverable by means of garnishee proceedings or a charging order, as if it were payable under a county court order.

(2) In subsection (1) “charging order” has the same meaning as in section 1 of the M17 Charging Orders Act 1979.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C27 S. 36 applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1992/2643, reg.3

Marginal Citations

M17 1979 c. 53.

Valid from 05/04/1993

37 Regulations about liability orders: Scotland. E+W+S

(1) Section 34(1) does not apply to Scotland.

(2) In Scotland, the Secretary of State may make regulations providing that where the sheriff has made a liability order, the person against whom it is made shall, during such time as the amount in respect of which the order was made remains wholly or partly unpaid, be under a duty to supply relevant information to the Secretary of State.

(3) In this section “relevant information” has the same meaning as in section 34(2).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C28 S. 37 applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1992/2643, reg.3

Commencement Information

I24 S. 37 partly in force; s. 37 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 37(1) in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

Valid from 05/04/1993

38 Enforcement of liability orders by diligence: Scotland. E+W+S

(1) In Scotland, where a liability order has been made against a person, the order shall be warrant anywhere in Scotland—

(a) for the Secretary of State to charge the person to pay the appropriate amount and to recover that amount by a poinding and sale under Part II of the M18 Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987 and, in connection therewith, for the opening of shut and lockfast places;

(b) for an arrestment (other than an arrestment of the person’s earnings in the hands of his employers) and action of furthcoming or sale,

and shall be apt to found a Bill of Inhibition or an action of adjudication at the instance of the Secretary of State.

(2) In subsection (1) the “appropriate amount” means the amount in respect of which the order was made, to the extent that it remains unpaid.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C29 S. 38 applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1992/2643, reg.3

Marginal Citations

M18 1987 c. 18.

39 Liability orders: enforcement throughout United Kingdom. E+W+S

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide for—

(a) any liability order made by a court in England and Wales; or

(b) any corresponding order made by a court in Northern Ireland,

to be enforced in Scotland as if it had been made by the sheriff.

(2) The power conferred on the Court of Session by section 32 of the M19 Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971 (power of Court of Session to regulate civil procedure in the sheriff court) shall extend to making provision for the registration in the sheriff court for enforcement of any such order as is referred to in subsection (1).

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for, or in connection with, the enforcement in England and Wales of—

(a) any liability order made by the sheriff in Scotland; or

(b) any corresponding order made by a court in Northern Ireland,

as if it had been made by a magistrates’ court in England and Wales.

(4) Regulations under subsection (3) may, in particular, make provision for the registration of any such order as is referred to in that subsection in connection with its enforcement in England and Wales.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C30 S. 39 applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1992/2643, reg.3

Marginal Citations

M19 1971 c. 58.

40 Commitment to prison. E+W+S

(1) Where the Secretary of State has sought—

(a) to levy an amount by distress under this Act; or

(b) to recover an amount by virtue of section 36,

and that amount, or any portion of it, remains unpaid he may apply to a magistrates’ court for the issue of a warrant committing the liable person to prison.

(2) On any such application the court shall (in the presence of the liable person) inquire as to—

(a) the liable person’s means; and

(b) whether there has been wilful refusal or culpable neglect on his part.

(3) If, but only if, the court is of the opinion that there has been wilful refusal or culpable neglect on the part of the liable person it may—

(a) issue a warrant of commitment against him; or

(b) fix a term of imprisonment and postpone the issue of the warrant until such time and on such conditions (if any) as it thinks just.

(4) Any such warrant—

(a) shall be made in respect of an amount equal to the aggregate of—

(i) the amount mentioned in section 35(1) or so much of it as remains outstanding; and

(ii) an amount (determined in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State) in respect of the costs of commitment; and

(b) shall state that amount.

(5) No warrant may be issued under this section against a person who is under the age of 18.

(6) A warrant issued under this section shall order the liable person—

(a) to be imprisoned for a specified period; but

(b) to be released (unless he is in custody for some other reason) on payment of the amount stated in the warrant.

(7) The maximum period of imprisonment which may be imposed by virtue of subsection (6) shall be calculated in accordance with Schedule 4 to the M20 Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (maximum periods of imprisonment in default of payment) but shall not exceed six weeks.

(8) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for the period of imprisonment specified in any warrant issued under this section to be reduced where there is part payment of the amount in respect of which the warrant was issued.

(9) A warrant issued under this section may be directed to such person or persons as the court issuing it thinks fit.

(10) Section 80 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (application of money found on defaulter) shall apply in relation to a warrant issued under this section against a liable person as it applies in relation to the enforcement of a sum mentioned in subsection (1) of that section.

(11) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision—

(a) as to the form of any warrant issued under this section;

(b) allowing an application under this section to be renewed where no warrant is issued or term of imprisonment is fixed;

(c) that a statement in writing to the effect that wages of any amount have been paid to the liable person during any period, purporting to be signed by or on behalf of his employer, shall be evidence of the facts stated;

(d) that, for the purposes of enabling an inquiry to be made as to the liable person’s conduct and means, a justice of the peace may issue a summons to him to appear before a magistrates’ court and (if he does not obey) may issue a warrant for his arrest;

(e) that for the purpose of enabling such an inquiry, a justice of the peace may issue a warrant for the liable person’s arrest without issuing a summons;

(f) as to the execution of a warrant for arrest.

(12) Subsections (1) to (11) do not apply to Scotland.

(13) For the avoidance of doubt, it is declared that a sum payable under a liability order is a sum decerned for aliment for the purposes of the M21 Debtors (Scotland) Act 1880 and the M22 Civil Imprisonment (Scotland) Act 1882.

(14) Where a liability order has been made, the Secretary of State (and he alone) shall be regarded as, and may exercise all the powers of, the creditor for the purposes of section 4 (imprisonment for failure to obey decree for alimentary debt) of the M23 Civil Imprisonment (Scotland) Act 1882.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C31 S. 40 applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1992/2643, reg.3

Commencement Information

I25 S. 40 wholly in force; s. 40 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 40(4)(a)(ii)(8)(11) in force at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 40 in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

Marginal Citations

M20 1980 c. 43.

M21 1880 c. 34.

M22 1882 c. 42.

M23 1882 c. 42.

41 Arrears of child support maintenance. E+W+S

(1) This section applies where—

(a) the Secretary of State is authorised under section 4, 6 or 7 to recover child support maintenance payable by an absent parent in accordance with a maintenance assessment; and

(b) the absent parent has failed to make one or more payments of child support maintenance due from him in accordance with that assessment.

(2) Where the Secretary of State recovers any such arrears he may, in such circumstances as may be prescribed and to such extent as may be prescribed, retain them if he is satisfied that the amount of any benefit paid to the person with care of the child or children in question would have been less had the absent parent not been in arrears with his payments of child support maintenance.

(3) In such circumstances as may be prescribed, the absent parent shall be liable to make such payments of interest with respect to the arrears of child support maintenance as may be prescribed.

(4) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision—

(a) as to the rate of interest payable by virtue of subsection (3);

(b) as to the time at which, and person to whom, any such interest shall be payable;

(c) as to the circumstances in which, in a case where the Secretary of State has been acting under section 6, any such interest may be retained by him;

(d) for the Secretary of State, in a case where he has been acting under section 6 and in such circumstances as may be prescribed, to waive any such interest (or part of any such interest).

(5) The provisions of this Act with respect to—

(a) the collection of child support maintenance;

(b) the enforcement of any obligation to pay child support maintenance,

shall apply equally to interest payable by virtue of this section.

(6) Any sums retained by the Secretary of State by virtue of this section shall be paid by him into the Consolidated Fund.

Commencement Information

I26 S. 41 wholly in force; s. 41 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 41(2)-(4) in force at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 41 in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

Valid from 17/06/1992

Special cases E+W+S

42 Special cases. E+W+S

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide that in prescribed circumstances a case is to be treated as a special case for the purposes of this Act.

(2) Those regulations may, for example, provide for the following to be special cases—

(a) each parent of a child is an absent parent in relation to the child;

(b) there is more than one person who is a person with care in relation to the same child;

(c) there is more than one qualifying child in relation to the same absent parent but the person who is the person with care in relation to one of those children is not the person who is the person with care in relation to all of them;

(d) a person is an absent parent in relation to more than one child and the other parent of each of those children is not the same person;

(e) the person with care has care of more than one qualifying child and there is more than one absent parent in relation to those children;

(f) a qualifying child has his home in two or more separate households.

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision with respect to special cases.

(4) Regulations made under subsection (3) may, in particular—

(a) modify any provision made by or under this Act, in its application to any special case or any special case falling within a prescribed category;

(b) make new provision for any such case; or

(c) provide for any prescribed provision made by or under this Act not to apply to any such case.

43 Contribution to maintenance by deduction from benefit. E+W+S

(1) This section applies where—

(a) by virtue of paragraph 5(4) of Schedule 1, an absent parent is taken for the purposes of that Schedule to have no assessable income; and

(b) such conditions as may be prescribed for the purposes of this section are satisfied.

(2) The power of the Secretary of State to make regulations under section 51 of the M24 Social Security Act 1986 by virtue of subsection (1)(r), (deductions from benefits) may be exercised in relation to cases to which this section applies with a view to securing that—

(a) payments of prescribed amounts are made with respect to qualifying children in place of payments of child support maintenance; and

(b) arrears of child support maintenance are recovered.

Commencement Information

I27 S. 43 wholly in force; s. 43 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 43(1)(b)(2)(a) in force at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 43 in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

Marginal Citations

M24 1986 c. 50.

Valid from 17/06/1992

Jurisdiction E+W+S

44 Jurisdiction. E+W+S

(1) A child support officer shall have jurisdiction to make a maintenance assessment with respect to a person who is—

(a) a person with care;

(b) an absent parent; or

(c) a qualifying child,

only if that person is habitually resident in the United Kingdom.

(2) Where the person with care is not an individual, subsection (1) shall have effect as if paragraph (a) were omitted.

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for the cancellation of any maintenance assessment where—

(a) the person with care, absent parent or qualifying child with respect to whom it was made ceases to be habitually resident in the United Kingdom;

(b) in a case falling within subsection (2), the absent parent or qualifying child with respect to whom it was made ceases to be habitually resident in the United Kingdom; or

(c) in such circumstances as may be prescribed, a maintenance order of a prescribed kind is made with respect to any qualifying child with respect to whom the maintenance assessment was made.

Commencement Information

I28 S. 44 wholly in force; s. 44 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 44(3) in force at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 44 in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

45 Jurisdiction of courts in certain proceedings under this Act. E+W+S

(1) The Lord Chancellor or, in relation to Scotland, the Lord Advocate may by order make such provision as he considers necessary to secure that appeals, or such class of appeals as may be specified in the order—

(a) shall be made to a court instead of being made to a child support appeal tribunal; or

(b) shall be so made in such circumstances as may be so specified.

(2) In subsection (1), “court” means—

(a) in relation to England and Wales and subject to any provision made under Schedule 11 to the M25 Children Act 1989 (jurisdiction of courts with respect to certain proceedings relating to children) the High Court, a county court or a magistrates’ court; and

(b) in relation to Scotland, the Court of Session or the sheriff.

(3) Schedule 11 to the Act of 1989 shall be amended in accordance with subsections (4) and (5).

(4) The following sub-paragraph shall be inserted in paragraph 1, after sub-paragraph (2)—

“(2A) Sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) shall also apply in relation to proceedings—

(a) under section 27 of the Child Support Act 1991 (reference to court for declaration of parentage); or

(b) which are to be dealt with in accordance with an order made under section 45 of that Act (jurisdiction of courts in certain proceedings under that Act)”.

(5) In paragraphs 1(3) and 2(3), the following shall be inserted after “Act 1976”—

“(bb) section 20 (appeals) or 27 (reference to court for declaration of parentage) of the Child Support Act 1991;”.

(6) Where the effect of any order under subsection (1) is that there are no longer any appeals which fall to be dealt with by child support appeal tribunals, the Lord Chancellor after consultation with the Lord Advocate may by order provide for the abolition of those tribunals.

(7) Any order under subsection (1) or (6) may make—

(a) such modifications of any provision of this Act or of any other enactment; and

(b) such transitional provision,

as the Minister making the order considers appropriate in consequence of any provision made by the order.

Marginal Citations

M25 1989 c. 41.

Miscellaneous and supplemental U.K.

Valid from 17/06/1992

46 Failure to comply with obligations imposed by section 6. E+W+S

(1) This section applies where any person (“the parent”)—

(a) fails to comply with a requirement imposed on her by the Secretary of State under section 6(1); or

(b) fails to comply with any regulation made under section 6(9).

(2) A child support officer may serve written notice on the parent requiring her, before the end of the specified period, either to comply or to give him her reasons for failing to do so.

(3) When the specified period has expired, the child support officer shall consider whether, having regard to any reasons given by the parent, there are reasonable grounds for believing that, if she were to be required to comply, there would be a risk of her or of any children living with her suffering harm or undue distress as a result of complying.

(4) If the child support officer considers that there are such reasonable grounds, he shall—

(a) take no further action under this section in relation to the failure in question; and

(b) notify the parent, in writing, accordingly.

(5) If the child support officer considers that there are no such reasonable grounds, he may give a reduced benefit direction with respect to the parent.

(6) Where the child support officer gives a reduced benefit direction he shall send a copy of it to the parent.

(7) Any person who is aggrieved by a decision of a child support officer to give a reduced benefit direction may appeal to a child support appeal tribunal against that decision.

(8) Sections 20(2) to (4) and 21 shall apply in relation to appeals under subsection (7) as they apply in relation to appeals under section 20.

(9) A reduced benefit direction shall take effect on such date as may be specified in the direction.

(10) Reasons given in response to a notice under subsection (2) may be given either in writing or orally.

(11) In this section—

• “comply” means to comply with the requirement or with the regulation in question; and “complied” and “complying” shall be construed accordingly;

• “reduced benefit direction” means a direction, binding on the adjudication officer, that the amount payable by way of any relevant benefit to, or in respect of, the parent concerned be reduced by such amount, and for such period, as may be prescribed;

• “relevant benefit” means income support, family credit or any other benefit of a kind prescribed for the purposes of section 6; and

• “specified”, in relation to any notice served under this section, means specified in the notice; and the period to be specified shall be determined in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State.

Commencement Information

I29 S. 46 wholly in force; s. 46 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); S. 46(11) in force at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 46 in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

Valid from 17/06/1992

47 Fees. E+W+S

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide for the payment, by the absent parent or the person with care (or by both), of such fees as may be prescribed in cases where the Secretary of State takes any action under section 4 or 6.

(2) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide for the payment, by the absent parent, the person with care or the child concerned (or by any or all of them), of such fees as may be prescribed in cases where the Secretary of State takes any action under section 7.

(3) Regulations made under this section—

(a) may require any information which is needed for the purpose of determining the amount of any such fee to be furnished, in accordance with the regulations, by such person as may be prescribed;

(b) shall provide that no such fees shall be payable by any person to or in respect of whom income support, family credit or any other benefit of a prescribed kind is paid; and

(c) may, in particular, make provision with respect to the recovery by the Secretary of State of any fees payable under the regulations.

Commencement Information

I30 S. 47 wholly in force at 17.6.1992 see s. 58(2) and S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.

Valid from 05/04/1993

48 Right of audience. E+W

(1) Any person authorised by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section shall have, in relation to any proceedings under this Act before a magistrates’ court, a right of audience and the right to conduct litigation.

(2) In this section “right of audience” and “right to conduct litigation” have the same meaning as in section 119 of the M26 Courts and Legal Services Act 1990.

Marginal Citations

M26 1990 c. 41.

Valid from 17/06/1992

49 Right of audience: Scotland. S

In relation to any proceedings before the sheriff under any provision of this Act, the power conferred on the Court of Session by section 32 of the M27 Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971 (power of Court of Session to regulate civil procedure in sheriff court) shall extend to the making of rules permitting a party to such proceedings, in such circumstances as may be specified in the rules, to be represented by a person who is neither an advocate nor a solicitor.

Marginal Citations

M27 1971 c. 58.

Valid from 17/06/1992

50 Unauthorised disclosure of information. E+W+S

(1) Any person who is, or has been, employed in employment to which this section applies is guilty of an offence if, without lawful authority, he discloses any information which—

(a) was acquired by him in the course of that employment; and

(b) relates to a particular person.

(2) It is not an offence under this section—

(a) to disclose information in the form of a summary or collection of information so framed as not to enable information relating to any particular person to be ascertained from it; or

(b) to disclose information which has previously been disclosed to the public with lawful authority.

(3) It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that at the time of the alleged offence—

(a) he believed that he was making the disclosure in question with lawful authority and had no reasonable cause to believe otherwise; or

(b) he believed that the information in question had previously been disclosed to the public with lawful authority and had no reasonable cause to believe otherwise.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—

(a) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine or both; or

(b) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both.

(5) This section applies to employment as—

(a) the Chief Child Support Officer;

(b) any other child support officer;

(c) any clerk to, or other officer of, a child support appeal tribunal;

(d) any member of the staff of such a tribunal;

(e) a civil servant in connection with the carrying out of any functions under this Act,

and to employment of any other kind which is prescribed for the purposes of this section.

(6) For the purposes of this section a disclosure is to be regarded as made with lawful authority if, and only if, it is made—

(a) by a civil servant in accordance with his official duty; or

(b) by any other person either—

(i) for the purposes of the function in the exercise of which he holds the information and without contravening any restriction duly imposed by the responsible person; or

(ii) to, or in accordance with an authorisation duly given by, the responsible person;

(c) in accordance with any enactment or order of a court;

(d) for the purpose of instituting, or otherwise for the purposes of, any proceedings before a court or before any tribunal or other body or person mentioned in this Act; or

(e) with the consent of the appropriate person.

(7) “The responsible person” means—

(a) the Lord Chancellor;

(b) the Secretary of State;

(c) any person authorised by the Lord Chancellor, or Secretary of State, for the purposes of this subsection; or

(d) any other prescribed person, or person falling within a prescribed category.

(8) “The appropriate person” means the person to whom the information in question relates, except that if the affairs of that person are being dealt with—

(a) under a power of attorney;

(b) by a receiver appointed under section 99 of the M28 Mental Health Act 1983;

(c) by a Scottish mental health custodian, that is to say—

(i) a curator bonis, tutor or judicial factor; or

(ii) the managers of a hospital acting on behalf of that person under section 94 of the M29 Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984; or

(d) by a mental health appointee, that is to say—

(i) a person directed or authorised as mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) of rule 41(1) of the M30 Court of Protection Rules 1984; or

(ii) a receiver ad interim appointed under sub-paragraph (b) of that rule;

the appropriate person is the attorney, receiver, custodian or appointee (as the case may be) or, in a case falling within paragraph (a), the person to whom the information relates.

Commencement Information

I31 S. 50 wholly in force; s. 50 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 50(5)(7)(d) in force at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.; s. 50 in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

Marginal Citations

M28 1983 c. 20.

M29 1984 c. 36.

M30 S.I. 1984/2035.

Valid from 17/06/1992

51 Supplementary powers to make regulations. E+W+S

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make such incidental, supplemental and transitional provision as he considers appropriate in connection with any provision made by or under this Act.

(2) The regulations may, in particular, make provision—

(a) as to the procedure to be followed with respect to—

(i) the making of applications for maintenance assessments;

(ii) the making, cancellation or refusal to make maintenance assessments;

(iii) reviews under sections 16 to 19;

(b) extending the categories of case to which section 18 or 19 applies;

(c) as to the date on which an application for a maintenance assessment is to be treated as having been made;

(d) for attributing payments made under maintenance assessments to the payment of arrears;

(e) for the adjustment, for the purpose of taking account of the retrospective effect of a maintenance assessment, of amounts payable under the assessment;

(f) for the adjustment, for the purpose of taking account of over-payments or under-payments of child support maintenance, of amounts payable under a maintenance assessment;

(g) as to the evidence which is to be required in connection with such matters as may be prescribed;

(h) as to the circumstances in which any official record or certificate is to be conclusive (or in Scotland, sufficient) evidence;

(i) with respect to the giving of notices or other documents;

(j) for the rounding up or down of any amounts calculated, estimated or otherwise arrived at in applying any provision made by or under this Act.

(3) No power to make regulations conferred by any other provision of this Act shall be taken to limit the powers given to the Secretary of State by this section.

Valid from 17/06/1992

52 Regulations and orders. E+W+S

(1) Any power conferred on the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Advocate or the Secretary of State by this Act to make regulations or orders (other than a deduction from earnings order) shall be exercisable by statutory instrument.

(2) No statutory instrument containing (whether alone or with other provisions) regulations made under section 4(7), 5(3), 6(1), (9) or (10), 7(8), 12(2), 41(2), (3) or (4), 42, 43(1), 46 or 47 or under Part I of Schedule 1, or an order made under section 45(1) or (6), shall be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

(3) Any other statutory instrument made under this Act (except an order made under section 58(2)) shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(4) Any power of a kind mentioned in subsection (1) may be exercised—

(a) in relation to all cases to which it extends, in relation to those cases but subject to specified exceptions or in relation to any specified cases or classes of case;

(b) so as to make, as respects the cases in relation to which it is exercised—

(i) the full provision to which it extends or any lesser provision (whether by way of exception or otherwise);

(ii) the same provision for all cases, different provision for different cases or classes of case or different provision as respects the same case or class of case but for different purposes of this Act;

(iii) provision which is either unconditional or is subject to any specified condition;

(c) so to provide for a person to exercise a discretion in dealing with any matter.

Valid from 05/04/1993

53 Financial provisions. E+W+S

Any expenses of the Lord Chancellor or the Secretary of State under this Act shall be payable out of money provided by Parliament.

Valid from 17/06/1992

54 Interpretation. E+W+S

In this Act—

• “absent parent”, has the meaning given in section 3(2);

• “adjudication officer” has the same meaning as in the benefit Acts;

• “assessable income” has the meaning given in paragraph 5 of Schedule 1;

• “benefit Acts” means the Social Security Acts 1975 to 1991;

• “Chief Adjudication Officer” has the same meaning as in the benefit Acts;

• “Chief Child Support Officer” has the meaning given in section 13;

• “child benefit” has the same meaning as in the M31 Child Benefit Act 1975;

• “child support appeal tribunal” means a tribunal appointed under section 21;

• “child support maintenance” has the meaning given in section 3(6);

• “child support officer” has the meaning given in section 13;

• “deduction from earnings order” has the meaning given in section 31(2);

• “disability living allowance” has the same meaning as in the M32 Social Security Act 1975;

• “family credit” has the same meaning as in the benefit Acts;

• “general qualification” shall be construed in accordance with section 71 of the M33 Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (qualification for judicial appointments);

• “income support” has the same meaning as in the benefit Acts;

• “interim maintenance assessment” has the meaning given in section 12;

• “liability order” has the meaning given in section 33(2);

• “maintenance agreement” has the meaning given in section 9(1);

• “maintenance assessment” means an assessment of maintenance made under this Act and, except in prescribed circumstances, includes an interim maintenance assessment;

• “maintenance order” has the meaning given in section 8(11);

• “maintenance requirement” means the amount calculated in accordance with paragraph 1 of Schedule 1;

• “parent”, in relation to any child, means any person who is in law the mother or father of the child;

• “parental responsibility” has the same meaning as in the M34 Children Act 1989;

• “parental rights” has the same meaning as in the M35 Law Reform (Parent and Child) (Scotland) Act 1986;

• “person with care” has the meaning given in section 3(3);

• “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State;

• “qualifying child” has the meaning given in section 3(1);

Marginal Citations

M31 1975 c. 61.

M32 1975 c. 14.

M33 1990 c. 41.

M34 1989 c. 41.

M35 1986 c. 9.

Valid from 17/06/1992

55 Meaning of “child”. E+W+S

(1) For the purposes of this Act a person is a child if—

(a) he is under the age of 16;

(b) he is under the age of 19 and receiving full-time education (which is not advanced education)—

(i) by attendance at a recognised educational establishment; or

(ii) elsewhere, if the education is recognised by the Secretary of State; or

(c) he does not fall within paragraph (a) or (b) but—

(i) he is under the age of 18, and

(ii) prescribed conditions are satisfied with respect to him.

(2) A person is not a child for the purposes of this Act if he—

(a) is or has been married;

(b) has celebrated a marriage which is void; or

(c) has celebrated a marriage in respect of which a decree of nullity has been granted.

(3) In this section—

• “advanced education” means education of a prescribed description; and

• “recognised educational establishment” means an establishment recognised by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section as being, or as comparable to, a university, college or school.

(4) Where a person has reached the age of 16, the Secretary of State may recognise education provided for him otherwise than at a recognised educational establishment only if the Secretary of State is satisfied that education was being so provided for him immediately before he reached the age of 16.

(5) The Secretary of State may provide that in prescribed circumstances education is or is not to be treated for the purposes of this section as being full-time.

(6) In determining whether a person falls within subsection (1)(b), no account shall be taken of such interruptions in his education as may be prescribed.

(7) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide that a person who ceases to fall within subsection (1) shall be treated as continuing to fall within that subsection for a prescribed period.

(8) No person shall be treated as continuing to fall within subsection (1) by virtue of regulations made under subsection (7) after the end of the week in which he reaches the age of 19.

56 Corresponding provision for and co-ordination with Northern Ireland. U.K.

(1) An Order in Council made under paragraph 1(1)(b) of Schedule 1 to the M36 Northern Ireland Act 1974 which contains a statement that it is made only for purposes corresponding to those of the provisions of this Act, other than provisions which relate to the appointment of Child Support Commissioners for Northern Ireland—

(a) shall not be subject to sub-paragraphs (4) and (5) of paragraph 1 of that Schedule (affirmative resolution of both Houses of Parliament); but

(b) shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(2) The Secretary of State may make arrangements with the Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland with a view to securing, to the extent allowed for in the arrangements, that—

(a) the provision made by or under this Act (“the provision made for Great Britain”); and

(b) the provision made by or under any corresponding enactment having effect with respect to Northern Ireland (“the provision made for Northern Ireland”),

provide for a single system within the United Kingdom.

(3) The Secretary of State may make regulations for giving effect to any such arrangements.

(4) The regulations may, in particular—

(a) adapt legislation (including subordinate legislation) for the time being in force in Great Britain so as to secure its reciprocal operation with the provision made for Northern Ireland; and

(b) make provision to secure that acts, omissions and events which have any effect for the purposes of the provision made for Northern Ireland have a corresponding effect for the purposes of the provision made for Great Britain.

Extent Information

E2 S. 56 with the exception of s. 56(1) does not extend to Northern Ireland see s. 58(11)

Commencement Information

I32 S. 56 wholly in force; s. 56(1) in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 56(2)-(4) in force at 17.6.1992 by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.

Marginal Citations

M36 1974 c. 28.

Valid from 17/06/1992

57 Application to Crown. E+W+S

(1) The power of the Secretary of State to make regulations under section 14 requiring prescribed persons to furnish information may be exercised so as to require information to be furnished by persons employed in the service of the Crown or otherwise in the discharge of Crown functions.

(2) In such circumstances, and subject to such conditions, as may be prescribed, an inspector appointed under section 15 may enter any Crown premises for the purpose of exercising any powers conferred on him by that section.

(3) Where such an inspector duly enters any Crown premises for those purposes, section 15 shall apply in relation to persons employed in the service of the Crown or otherwise in the discharge of Crown functions as it applies in relation to other persons.

(4) Where a liable person is in the employment of the Crown, a deduction from earnings order may be made under section 31 in relation to that person; but in such a case subsection (8) of section 32 shall apply only in relation to the failure of that person to comply with any requirement imposed on him by regulations made under section 32.

58 Short title, commencement and extent, etc. U.K.

(1) This Act may be cited as the Child Support Act 1991.

(2) Section 56(1) and subsections (1) to (11) and (14) of this section shall come into force on the passing of this Act but otherwise this Act shall come into force on such date as may be appointed by order made by the Lord Chancellor, the Secretary of State or Lord Advocate, or by any of them acting jointly.

(3) Different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act and for different purposes (including, in particular, for different cases or categories of case).

(4) An order under subsection (2) may make such supplemental, incidental or transitional provision as appears to the person making the order to be necessary or expedient in connection with the provisions brought into force by the order, including such adaptations or modifications of—

(a) the provisions so brought into force;

(b) any provisions of this Act then in force; or

(c) any provision of any other enactment,

as appear to him to be necessary or expedient.

(5) Different provision may be made by virtue of subsection (4) with respect to different periods.

(6) Any provision made by virtue of subsection (4) may, in particular, include provision for—

(a) the enforcement of a maintenance assessment (including the collection of sums payable under the assessment) as if the assessment were a court order of a prescribed kind;

(b) the registration of maintenance assessments with the appropriate court in connection with any provision of a kind mentioned in paragraph (a);

(c) the variation, on application made to a court, of the provisions of a maintenance assessment relating to the method of making payments fixed by the assessment or the intervals at which such payments are to be made;

(d) a maintenance assessment, or an order of a prescribed kind relating to one or more children, to be deemed, in prescribed circumstances, to have been validly made for all purposes or for such purposes as may be prescribed.

In paragraph (c) “court” includes a single justice.

(7) The Lord Chancellor, the Secretary of State or the Lord Advocate may by order make such amendments or repeals in, or such modifications of, such enactments as may be specified in the order, as appear to him to be necessary or expedient in consequence of any provision made by or under this Act (including any provision made by virtue of subsection (4)).

(8) This Act shall, in its application to the Isles of Scilly, have effect subject to such exceptions, adaptations and modifications as the Secretary of State may by order prescribe.

(9) Sections 27, 35 and 48 and paragraph 7 of Schedule 5 do not extend to Scotland.

(10) Sections 7, 28 and 49 extend only to Scotland.

(11) With the exception of sections 23 and 56(1), subsections (1) to (3) of this section and Schedules 2 and 4, and (in so far as it amends any enactment extending to Northern Ireland) Schedule 5, this Act does not extend to Northern Ireland.

(12) Until Schedule 1 to the M37 Disability Living Allowance and Disability Working Allowance Act 1991 comes into force, paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 3 shall have effect with the omission of the words “and disability appeal tribunals” and the insertion, after “social security appeal tribunals”, of the word “ and ”.

(13) The consequential amendments set out in Schedule 5 shall have effect.

(14) In Schedule 1 to the M38 Children Act 1989 (financial provision for children), paragraph 2(6)(b) (which is spent) is hereby repealed.

Subordinate Legislation Made

P1 S. 58(2): 17.6.1992 appointed for specified provisions and purposes by S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.

S. 58: 1.9.1992 appointed for specified provisions by S.I. 1992/1938, art. 2

S. 58(2)-(6): 5.4.1993 appointed for specified provisions by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2 (with transitional provisions in art. 3, Sch.)

Commencement Information

I33 S. 58 partly in force; s. 58(1)-(11)(14) wholly in force at Royal Assent see s. 58(2); s. 58(13) so far as it relates to Sch. 5 paras. 1-4 in force at 1.9.1992 by S.I. 1992/1938, art. 2; s. 58(13) in force in so far as not already in force at 5.4.1993 by S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2

Marginal Citations

M37 1991 c. 21.

M38 1989 c. 41.