Courts Act 2003

Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates' Courts Act 1978 (c. 22) U.K.

191 U.K. In section 6(9) (restrictions on power to make order where respondent not present at hearing), for “rules” substitute “ rules of court ”.

192 (1) Amend section 20ZA (variation of orders for periodical payments) as follows. U.K.

(2) In subsection (2), for “clerk to the justices for the petty sessions area for which the court is acting” substitute “ court ”.

(3) In subsection (3)—

(a) for “the clerk” substitute “ a justices' clerk ”, and

(b) for “to the justices' chief executive for the court” substitute “ to the designated officer for the court ”.

(4) In subsection (10), for “the clerk to the justices” substitute “ a justices' clerk ”.

193 U.K. In section 27 (refusal of order in case more suitable for High Court), for “for the same petty sessions” substitute “ in the same local justice ”.

194 U.K. In section 30(1) (jurisdiction to hear application for order under Part 1 of the Act)—

(a) for “a magistrates' courts committee” substitute “ the Lord Chancellor ”, and

(b) for the words from “at the” onwards substitute “ it acts in, or is authorised by the Lord Chancellor to act for, a local justice area in which either the applicant or the respondent ordinarily resides at the date of the making of the application ”.

195 (1) Amend section 32 (enforcement of orders for payment of money) as follows. U.K.

(2) In subsection (2), for “a justices' chief executive” substitute “ the designated officer for a magistrates' court ”.

(3) In subsection (6), for “rules” substitute “ rules of court ”.

196 (1) Amend section 35 (orders for repayment of sums paid after cessation of order by reason of marriage) as follows. U.K.

(2) In subsection (7)—

(a) for “A justices' chief executive” substitute “ The designated officer for a magistrates' court ”, and

(b) for “the justices' chief executive” substitute “ the designated officer ”.

(3) In subsection (8), for “, the officer designated by the Lord Chancellor or the justices' chief executive” substitute “ or the officer designated by the Lord Chancellor ”.

197 (1) Amend section 88 (interpretation) as follows. U.K.

(2) In subsection (1), omit the definition of “rules”.

(3) In subsection (4), for “for the same petty sessions” substitute “ in the same local justice ”.