- Latest available (Revised)
- Point in Time (01/07/1992)
- Original (As enacted)
Version Superseded: 05/11/1993
Point in time view as at 01/07/1992.
There are currently no known outstanding effects for the Maintenance Orders Act 1950, Part II.
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. At the current time any known changes or effects made by subsequent legislation have been applied to the text of the legislation you are viewing by the editorial team. Please see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ for details regarding the timescales for which new effects are identified and recorded on this site.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Pt. II excluded by Maintenance Orders (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1972 (c. 18), s. 33(6).
(1)Any order to which this section applies (in this Part of this Act referred to as a maintenance order) made by a court in any part of the United Kingdom may, if registered in accordance with the provisions of this Part of this Act in a court in another part of the United Kingdom, be enforced in accordance with those provisions in that other part of the United Kingdom.
(2)This section applies to the following orders, that is to say—
(a)an order for alimony, maintenance or other payments made or deemed to be made by a court in England under any of the following enactments:—
[F1(i)sections 15 to 17, 19 to 22, 30, 34 and 35 of the M1Matrimonial Causes Act 1965 and sections 22, 23(1), (2) and (4) and 27 of the M2Matrimonial Causes Act 1973][F2and section 14 or 17 of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984];
[F3(ii)Part I of the M3Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates’ Courts Act 1978];
[F4(iii)Schedule 1 to the Children Act 1989]
(iv). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F5
(v)[F6paragraph 23 of Schedule 2 to the Children Act 1989], or section forty-three of the M4National Assistance Act 1948;
[F7(vi)section 18 of the M5Supplementary Benefits Act 1976 . . . F8;]
(vi). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F9
F10(vii). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[F11(viii)[F12section 106 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992] . . . F13;]
(b)a decree for payment of aliment granted by a court in Scotland, including—
(i)an order for the payment of an annual or periodical allowance under section two of the M6Divorce (Scotland) Act 1938 [F14an order for the payment of a periodic allowance [F15or a capital sum] under section 26 of the M7Succession (Scotland) Act 1964 or section 5 of the M8Divorce (Scotland) Act 1976][F16or section 29 of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984]; [F17or an order for financial provision in the form of a monetary payment under section 8 of the Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985];
(ii)an order for the payment of weekly or periodical sums under subsection (2) of section three or subsection (4) of section five of the M9Guardianship of Infants Act 1925;
(iii)an order for the payment of sums in respect of aliment under subsection (3) of section one of the M10Illegitimate Children (Scotland) Act 1930;
(iv)a decree for payment of aliment under section forty-four of the M11National Assistance Act 1948, or under section twenty-six of the M12Children Act 1948; and
(v). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F18an order under section forty-three of the M13National Assistance Act 1948;
[F19(vi)a contribution order under section 80 of, or a decree or an order made under section 81 of, the M14Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968;]
[F20(vii)an order for the payment of weekly or other periodical sums under subsection (3) of section 11 of the M15Guardianship Act 1973;]
[F21(viii)an order made on an application under [F22section 18 or 19(8)]of the M16Supplementary Benefits Act 1976;]
[F23(ix)an order made on an application under [F12section 106 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992];]
(c)an order for alimony, maintenance or other payments made by a court in Northern Ireland under or by virtue of any of the following enactments:—
(i)subsection (2) of section seventeen, subsections (2) to (7) of section nineteen, subsection (2) of section twenty, section twenty-two or subsection (1) of section twenty-eight of the M17Matrimonial Causes Act (Northern Ireland) 1939;
(ii)the M18Summary Jurisdiction (Separation and Maintenance) Act (Northern Ireland) 1945;
(iii)section one of the M19Illegitimate Children (Affiliation Orders) Act (Northern Ireland) 1924, [F24section 159 of the M20Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968 or Article 102 of the M21Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972];
[F25(iv)section 156 of the Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968 or Article 101 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972;]
[F26(v)any enactment of the Parliament of Northern Ireland containing provisions corresponding with section 22(1), 34 or 35 of the M22Matrimonial Causes Act 1965, with section 22, 23(1), (2) or (4) or 27 of the M23Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, or with section 12(2) of the M24Guardianship of Minors Act 1971.]
[F27(vi)Article 23 or 24 of the Supplementary Benefits (Northern Ireland) Order 1977.]
[F28(vii)the Domestic Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Order 1980.]
[F29(viii)any enactment applying in Northern Ireland and corresponding to [F12section 106 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992];]
[F30(ix)Article 18 or 21 of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Order 1989;]
(3)For the purposes of this section, any order made before the commencement of the M25Matrimonial Causes Act (Northern Ireland) 1939, being an order which, if that Act had been in force, could have been made under or by virtue of any provision of that Act, shall be deemed to be an order made by virtue of that provision.
Textual Amendments
F1S. 16(2)(a)(i) substituted by Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (c. 18), Sch. 2 para. 3
F2Words added by Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 (c. 42, SIF 49:3), ss. 46(1), 48, Sch. 1 para. 1(a)
F3S. 16(2)(a)(ii) substituted by Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates' Courts Act 1978 (c. 22), s. 89, Sch. 2 para. 13
F4S. 16(2)(a)(iii) substituted (14.10.1991) by Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41, SIF 76:1), s. 116, Sch. 16 para. 35(a)
F5S. 16(2)(a)(iv) repealed by Family Law Reform Act 1987 (c. 42, SIF 49:7), ss. 33(1)(4), Sch. 2 para. 12(b), Sch. 4
F6Words substituted (14.10.1991) by Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41, SIF 76:1), s. 116, Sch. 16 para. 35(b)
F8Words repealed by Family Law Reform Act 1987 (c. 42, SIF 49:7), ss. 33(1)(4), Sch. 2 para. 12(d), Sch. 4
F9S. 16(2)(a)(vi), (which was inserted by Children Act 1975 (c. 72), s. 108(2), Sch. 3 para. 11) repealed by Family Law Reform Act 1987, (c. 42, SIF 49:7), ss. 33(1)(4), Sch. 2 para. 12(c), Sch. 4
F10S. 16(2)(a)(vii) (which was inserted by Children Act 1975 (c. 72), s. 108(2), Sch. 3 para. 11) repealed (14.10.1991) by Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41, SIF 76:1), s. 125(7), Sch. 20
F11S. 16(2)(a)(viii) inserted by Social Security Act 1986 (c. 50, SIF 113:1), ss. 86, 87, 88, Sch. 10 para. 39(a).
F12Words in s. 16(2) substituted (1.7.1992) by Social Security (Consequential Provisions) Act 1992 (c. 6), ss. 4, 7(2), Sch. 2 para. 3(1)(d)-(f).
F13Words repealed by Family Law Reform Act 1987 (c. 42, SIF 49:7), ss. 33(1)(4), Sch. 2 para. 12(e), Sch. 4
F14Words substituted by Divorce (Scotland) Act 1976 (c. 39). Sch. 1 para. 1
F15Words inserted by Administration of Justice Act 1977 (c. 38), s. 3, Sch. 3 para. 12
F16Words added by Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 (c. 42, SIF 49:3), ss. 46(1), 48(2)(3), Sch. 1 para. 1(b)
F17Words added by Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985 (c. 37, SIF 49:3), ss. 28(1), 29(4), Sch. 1 para. 3
F18Words repealed by Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 (c. 27, SIF 45:3), ss. 52, 54, Sch. 14
F22Words substituted by Social Security and Housing Benefits Act 1982 (c. 24, SIF 113:1), s. 48(5), Sch. 4 para. 2
F23S.16 (2)(b)(ix) inserted by Social Security Act 1986 (c. 50, SIF 113:1), ss. 86(1), 87, 88, Sch. 10 Pt. II para. 39(b)
F24Words substituted by S.I. 1977/2158, art. 2(1)(f)(i)(3)
F25S. 16(2)(c)(iv) substituted by S.I. 1977/2158, art. 2(1)(f)(ii)(3)
F26S. 16(2)(c)(v) substituted by Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (c. 18), Sch. 2 para. 3
F27S. 16(2)(c)(vi) substituted by S.I. 1977/2158, art. 2(1)(f)(iii)(3)
F28S. 16(2)(c)(vii) inserted by S.I. 1980/564, art. 3(4)
F29S. 16(c)(viii) inserted by Social Security Act 1986 (c. 50, SIF 113:1), ss. 86(1), 87, 88, Sch. 10 Pt. II para. 39(c)
F30S. 16(c)(ix) inserted by S.I. 1989/678, art. 2
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C2S. 16 extended by Matrimonial Proceedings (Children) Act 1958 (c. 40), s. 17 and, until 14.10.1991, Family Law Reform Act 1969 (c. 46), ss. 6(7), 28(4)(c)
Marginal Citations
M171939 c. 13(N.I.)
M181945 c. 14(N.I.)
M191924 c. 27(N.I.)
M201968 c. 34(N.I.)
M251939 c. 13(N.I.)
(1)An application for the registration of a maintenance order under this Part of this Act shall be made in the prescribed manner to the appropriate authority, that is to say—
(a)where the maintenance order was made by a court of summary jurisdiction in England, a justice or justices acting for the same place as the court which made the order;
(b)where the maintenance order was made by a court of summary jurisdiction in Northern Ireland, a resident magistrate acting for the same petty sessions district as the court which made the order;
(c)in every other case, the prescribed officer of the court which made the order.
(2)If upon application made as aforesaid by or on behalf of the person entitled to payments under a maintenance order it appears that the person liable to make those payments resides in another part of the United Kingdom, and that it is convenient that the order should be enforceable there, the appropriate authority shall cause a certified copy of the order to be sent to the prescribed officer of a court in that part of the United Kingdom in accordance with the provisions of the next following subsection.
(3)The Court to whose officer the certified copy of a maintenance order is sent under this section shall be—
(a)where the maintenance order was made by a superior court, the Supreme Court of Judicature in England, the Court of Session or the Supreme Court of Judicature of Northern Ireland, as the case may be;
(b)in any other case, a court of summary jurisdiction acting for the place in England or Northern Ireland in which the defendant appears to be, or, as the case may be, the sheriff court in Scotland within the jurisdiction of which he appears to be.
(4)Where the prescribed officer of any court receives a certified copy of a maintenance order sent to him under this section, he shall cause the order to be registered in that court in the prescribed manner, and shall give notice of the registration in the prescribed manner to the prescribed officer of the court which made the order.
(5)The officer to whom any notice is given under the last foregoing subsection shall cause particulars of the notice to be registered in his court in the prescribed manner.
(6)Where the sums payable under a maintenance order, being an order made by a court of summary jurisdiction in England or Northern Ireland, are payable to or through an officer of any court, that officer shall, if the person entitled to the payments so requests, make an application on behalf of that person for the registration of the order under this Part of this Act; but the person at whose request the application is made shall have the same liability for costs properly incurred in or about the application as if the application had been made by him.
(7)An order which is for the time being registered under this Part of this Act in any court shall not be registered thereunder in any other court.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C3S. 17 applied by Social Security Act 1986 (c. 50, SIF 113:1), s. 24B(4)(a)(i) (as inserted by Social Security Act 1990 (c. 27, SIF 113:1), S. 8(i))
(1)Subject to the provisions of this section, a maintenance order registered under this Part of this Act in a court in any part of the United Kingdom may be enforced in that part of the United Kingdom in all respects as if it had been made by that court and as if that court had had jurisdiction to make it; and proceedings for or with respect to the enforcement of any such order may be taken accordingly.
[F31(1A)A maintenance order registered under this Part of this Act in a court of summary jurisdiction in England or Northern Ireland shall not carry interest; but where a maintenance order so registered is registered in the High Court under Part I of the Maintenance Orders Act 1958 or section 36 of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982, this subsection shall not prevent any sum for whose payment the order provides from carrying interest in accordance with section 2A of the said Act of 1958 or section 11A of the Maintenance and Affiliation Orders Act (Northern Ireland) 1966.
(1B)A maintenance order made in Scotland which is registered under this Part of this Act in the Supreme Court in England or Northern Ireland shall, if interest is by the law of Scotland recoverable under the order, carry the like interest in accordance with subsection (1) of this section.]
[F32(2)Every maintenance order registered under this Part of this Act in a magistrates’ court in England and Wales [F33shall, subject to the modifications of sections 76 and 93 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 specified in subsections (2ZA) and (2ZB) of this section, be enforceable] as a magistrates’ court maintenance order within the meaning of section 150(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act M261980.]
[F34F35(2ZA)Section 76 (enforcement of sums adjudged to be paid) shall have effect as if for subsections (4) to (6) there were substituted the following subsections—
“(4)Where proceedings are brought for the enforcement of a magistrates’ court maintenance order under this section, the court may vary the order by exercising one of its powers under subsection (5) below.
(5)The powers of the court are—
(a)the power to order that payments under the order be made directly to the clerk of the court or the clerk of any other magistrates’ court;
(b)the power to order that payments under the order be made to the clerk of the court, or to the clerk of any other magistrates’ court, by such method of payment falling within section 59(6) above (standing order, etc.) as may be specified;
(c)the power to make an attachment of earnings order under the M27Attachment of Earnings Act 1971 to secure payments under the order.
(6)In deciding which of the powers under subsection (5) above it is to exercise, the court shall have regard to any representations made by the debtor (within the meaning of section 59 above).
(7)Subsection (4) of section 59 above (power of court to require debtor to open account) shall apply for the purposes of subsection (5) above as it applies for the purposes of that section but as if for paragraph (a) there were substituted—
“( a)the court proposes to exercise its power under paragraph (b) of section 76(5) below, and”.”
(2ZB)In section 93 (complaint for arrears), subsection (6) (court not to impose imprisonment in certain circumstances) shall have effect as if for paragraph (b) there were substituted—
“(b)if the court is of the opinion that it is appropriate—
(i)to make an attachment of earnings order; or
(ii)to exercise its power under paragraph (b) of section 76(5) above. ”]
[F34(2A)Any person under an obligation to make payments under a maintenance order registered under this Part of this Act in a court of summary jurisdiction in England [F36or Northern Ireland]shall give notice of any change of address to the clerk of the court; and any person who without reasonable excuse fails to give such a notice shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale (as defined in section 75 of the Criminal Justice Act 1982).]
(3)Every maintenance order registered under this Part of this Act in a court of summary jurisdiction in Northern Ireland . . . F37 shall be enforceable as if it were an order made by that court under the M28Summary Jurisdiction (Separation and Maintenance) Act (Northern Ireland) 1945, and the provisions of [F38Article 98 of the Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 shall apply accordingly].
[F39(3A)Notwithstanding subsection (1) above, no court in England in which a maintenance order is registered under this Part of this Act shall enforce that order [F40to the extent that it is for the time being registered]in another court in England under Part I of the M29Maintenance Orders Act 1958.]
[F41(3B)Notwithstanding subsection (1) above, no court in Northern Ireland in which a maintenance order is registered under this Part of this Act shall enforce that order to the extent that it is for the time being registered in another court in Northern Ireland under section 36 of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982.]
(4), (5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F42
(6)Except as provided by this section, no proceedings shall be taken for or with respect to the enforcement of a maintenance order which is for the time being registered in any court under this Part of this Act.
Textual Amendments
F31S. 18(1A)(1B) inserted by Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 (c. 27, SIF 45:3), ss. 37(1), 52, Sch. 11 Pt. II para. 5
F32S. 18(2) substituted by Family Law Reform Act 1987 (c. 42, SIF 49:7), ss. 33(1), Sch. 2 para. 13
F33Words in s. 18(2) substituted (1.4.1992) by Maintenance Enforcement Act 1991 (c. 17, SIF 49:3), s. 10, Sch. 1 para. 3(1); S.I. 1992/455, art.2.
F34S. 18(2A) inserted by Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 (c. 42, SIF 49:3), ss. 46(1), 48(3), Sch. 1 para. 2
F35S. 18(2ZA)(2ZB) inserted (1.4.1992) by Maintenance Enforcement Act 1991 (c. 17, SIF 49:3), s. 10, Sch. 1 para. 3(2); S.I. 1992/455, art.2.
F36Words inserted by S.I. 1989/677 (N.I.4), art. 42(1), Sch. 2 para. 1
F37Words repealed by Ministry of Social Security Act 1966 (c. 20), Sch. 8
F38Words substituted by S.I. 1981/1675 (N.I.4), Sch. 6 Pt. I para. 5
F40Words substituted by Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 (c. 27, SIF 45:3), ss. 37(1), 52, Sch. 11 para. 1
F41S. 18(3B) inserted by Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 (c. 27, SIF 45:3), ss. 36(6), 52, Sch. 12 Pt. III para. 1(1)(2)
Marginal Citations
M281945 c. 14(N.I.)
(1)Where a maintenance order made in England or Northern Ireland by a court of summary jurisdiction is registered in any court under this Part of this Act, any provision of the order by virtue of which sums payable thereunder are required to be paid through or to any officer or person on behalf of the person entitled thereto shall be of no effect so long as the order is so registered.
(2)Where a maintenance order is registered under this Part of this Act in a court of summary jurisdiction in England or Northern Ireland, the court shall, [F43unless, in the case of a court of summary jurisdiction in Northern Ireland, it is satisfied that it is undesirable to do so], order that all payments to be made under the maintenance order (including any arrears accrued before the date of the registration) shall be made through the collecting officer of the court or the collecting officer of some other court of summary jurisdiction in England or Northern Ireland, as the case may be.
[F44(3)An order made under subsection (2) of this section—
(a)by a court of summary jurisdiction in England may be varied or revoked by an exercise of the powers conferred by virtue of section 18(2ZA) or section 22(1A) or (1E) of this Act;
(b)by a court of summary jurisdiction in Northern Ireland may be varied or revoked by a subsequent order.]
(4)Where by virtue of the provisions of this section or any order made thereunder payments under a maintenance order cease to be or become payable through or to any officer or person, the person liable to make the payments shall, until he is given the prescribed notice to that effect, be deemed to comply with the maintenance order if he makes payments in accordance with the maintenance order and any order under this section of which he has received such notice.
(5)In any case where, by virtue of an order made under this section by a court in Northern Ireland, payments under a maintenance order are required to be made through the collecting officer of any court—
[F45(a)paragraph (4) of Article 85 of the Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (which regulates the functions of collecting officers in relation to orders for periodical payment) shall apply as if the order made under this section were made under the said Article 85; and
(b)paragraph (7) of the said Article 85 shall have effect as if money paid in accordance with an order under this section were paid in pursuance of an order under the said Article 85.]
Textual Amendments
F43Words in s. 19(2) substituted (1.4.1992) by Maintenance Enforcement Act 1991 (c. 17, SIF 49:3), s. 10, Sch. 1 para. 4(1); S.I. 1992/455, art.2.
F44S. 19(3) substituted (1.4.1992) by Maintenance Enforcement Act 1991 (c. 17, SIF 49:3), s. 10, Sch. 1 para. 4(2); S.I. 1992/455, art.2.
F45S. 19(5)(a)(b) substituted by S.I. 1981/1675 (N.I. 26), Sch. 6 Pt. I para. 6
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C4S. 19(1)-(4) applied with modifications (E.W.) by Maintenance Orders Act 1958 (c. 39), s. 2(6) but Maintenance Orders Act 1958 (c. 39), s. 2(6) substituted (1.4.1992) by Maintenance Enforcement Act 1991 (c. 17, SIF 49:3), s. 10, Sch. 1 para. 7; S.I. 1992/455, art. 2
(1)Where application is made for the registration of a maintenance order under this Part of this Act, the applicant may lodge with the appropriate authority—
(a)if the payments under the order are required to be made to or through an officer of any court, a certificate in the prescribed form, signed by that officer, as to the amount of any arrears due under the order;
(b)in any other case, a statutory declaration or affidavit as to the amount of those arrears;
and if a certified copy of the maintenance order is sent to the prescribed officer of any court in pursuance of the application, the certificate, declaration or affidavit shall also be sent to that officer.
(2)In any proceedings for or with respect to the enforcement of a maintenance order which is for the time being registered in any court under this Part of this Act, a certificate, declaration or affidavit sent under this section to the appropriate officer of that court shall be evidence, and in Scotland sufficient evidence, of the facts stated therein.
(3)Where a maintenance order made by a court in England or Northern Ireland is registered in a court in Scotland, a person shall not be entitled, except with the leave of the last-mentioned court, to enforce, whether by diligence or otherwise, the payment of any arrears accrued and due under the order before the commencement of this Act; and on any application for leave to enforce the payment of any such arrears, the court may refuse leave, or may grant leave subject to such restrictions and conditions (including conditions as to the allowing of time for payment or the making of payment by instalments) as the court thinks proper, or may remit the payment of such arrears or of any part thereof.
(1)The registration of a maintenance order in a superior court under this Part of this Act shall not confer on that court any power to vary or discharge the order, or affect any jurisdiction of the court in which the order was made to vary or discharge the order.
(2)Where a maintenance order made in Scotland is for the time being
[F46(a)registered under this Part of this Act in a superior court and not registered under Part I of the M30Maintenance Orders Act 1958 [F47or under section 36 of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982], or
(b)registerd in a court in England under that Part of that Act [F48of 1958]by virtue of section 1(2) of that Act [F48of 1958],]
[F49(c)registered in a court in Northern Ireland under section 36 of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982]
the person liable to make payments under the order may, upon application made to that court in the prescribed manner, adduce before that court any evidence upon which he would be entitled to rely in any proceedings brought before the court by which the order was made for the variation or discharge of the order.
(3)A court before which evidence is adduced in accordance with the foregoing subsection shall cause a transcript or summary of that evidence, signed by the deponent, to be sent to the prescribed officer of the court by which the order was made; and in any proceedings before the last-mentioned court for the variation or discharge of the order, the transcript or summary shall be evidence of the facts stated therein.
Textual Amendments
F46Words substituted by Administration of Justice Act 1977 (c. 38), s. 3, Sch. 3 para. 7
F47Words inserted by Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 (c. 27, SIF 45:3), ss. 36(6), 52, Sch. 12 Pt. III para. 1(3)(a)
F48Words inserted by Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 (c. 27, SIF 45:3), ss. 36(6), 52, Sch. 12 Pt. III para. 1(3)(b)
F49S. 21(2)(c) inserted by Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 (c. 27, SIF 45:3), ss. 36(6), 52, Sch. 12 Pt. III para. 1(3)(c)
Marginal Citations
(1)Where a maintenance order is for the time being registered under this Part of this Act in a court of summary jurisdiction or sheriff court, that court may, upon application made in the prescribed manner by or on behalf of the person liable to make [F50periodical] payments under the order or the person entitled to those payments, by order make such variation as the court thinks fit in the rate of the payments under the maintenance order; but no such variation shall impose on the person liable to make payments under the maintenance order a liability to make payments in excess of the maximum rate (if any) authorised by the law for the time being in force in the part of the United Kingdom in which the maintenance order was made.
[F51(1A)The power of a magistrates’ court in England and Wales to vary a maintenance order under subsection (1) of this section shall include power, if the court is satisfied that payment has not been made in accordance with the order, to vary the order by exercising one of its powers under subsection (1B) of this section.
(1B)The powers of the court are—
(a)the power to order that payments under the order be made directly to the clerk of the court or the clerk of any other magistrates’ court in England and Wales;
(b)the power to order that payments under the order be made to the clerk of the court, or to the clerk of any other magistrates’ court in England and Wales, by such method of payment falling within section 59(6) of the M31Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (standing order, etc.) as may be specified;
(c)the power to make an attachment of earnings order under the M32Attachment of Earnings Act 1971 to secure payments under the order.
(1C)In deciding which of the powers under subsection (1B) of this section it is to exercise, the court shall have regard to any representations made by the person liable to make payments under the order.
(1D)Subsection (4) of section 59 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (power of court to require debtor to open account) shall apply for the purposes of subsection (1B) of this section as it applies for the purposes of that section but as if for paragraph (a) there were substituted—
“(a)the court proposes to exercise its power under paragraph (b) of section 22(1B) of the M33Maintenance Orders Act 1950, and”.
(1E)Subsections (4) to (11) of section 60 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (power of clerk and court to vary maintenance order) shall apply in relation to a maintenance order for the time being registered under this Part of this Act in a magistrates’ court in England and Wales as they apply in relation to a maintenance order made by a magistrates’ court in England and Wales but—
(a)as if in subsection (4) for paragraph (b) there were substituted—
“(b)payments under the order are required to be made to the clerk of the court, or to the clerk of any other magistrates’ court, by any method of payment falling within section 59(6) above (standing order, etc.)”; and as if after the words “the court” there were inserted “which made the order”;
(b)as if in subsection (5) for the words “to the clerk” there were substituted “in accordance with paragraph (a) of section 22(1B) of the Maintenance Orders Act 1950”;
(c)as if in subsection (7), paragraph (c) and the word “and” immediately preceding it were omitted;
(d)as if in subsection (8) for the words “paragraphs (a) to (d) of section 59(3) above” there were substituted “section 22(1B) of the Maintenance Orders Act 1950”;
(e)as if for subsections (9) and (10) there were substituted the following subsections—
“(9)In deciding which of the powers under section 22(1B) of the M34Maintenance Orders Act 1950 it is to exercise, the court shall have regard to any representations made by the debtor.
(10)Subsection (4) of section 59 above (power of court to require debtor to open account) shall apply for the purposes of subsection (8) above as it applies for the purposes of that section but as if for paragraph (a) there were substituted—
“(a)the court proposes to exercise its power under paragraph (b) of section 22(1B) of the Maintenance Orders Act 1950, and”.”]
(2)For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section, a court in any part of the United Kingdom may take notice of the law in force in any other part of the United Kingdom.
(3)Section fifteen of this Act shall apply to the service of process for the purposes of this section as it applies to the service of process in proceedings begun in a court having jurisdiction by virtue of Part I of this Act.
(4)Except as provided by subsection (1) of this section, no variation shall be made in the rate of the payments under a maintenance order which is for the time being registered under this Part of this Act in a court of summary jurisdiction or sheriff court, but without prejudice to any power of the court which made the order to discharge it or vary it otherwise than in respect of the rate of the payments thereunder.
(5)Where a maintenance order is for the time being registered under this Part of this Act in a court of summary jurisdiction or sheriff court—
(a)the person entitled to payments under the order or the person liable to make payments under the order may, upon application made in the prescribed manner to the court by which the order was made, or in which the order is registered, as the case may be, adduce in the prescribed manner before the court in which the application is made any evidence on which he would be entitled to rely in proceedings for the variation or discharge of the order;
(b)the court in which the application is made shall cause a transcript or summary of that evidence, signed by the deponent, to be sent to the prescribed officer of the court in which the order is registered or of the court by which the order was made, as the case may be; and in any proceedings for the variation or discharge of the order the transcript or summary shall be evidence of the facts stated therein.
Textual Amendments
F50Word inserted by Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates' Courts Act 1978 (c. 22), s. 89, Sch. 2 para. 14
F51S. 22(1A)-(1E) inserted (1.4.1992) by Maintenance Enforcement Act 1991 (c. 17, SIF 49:3), s. 10, Sch. 1 para.5; S.I. 1992/455, art.2.
Marginal Citations
(1)Where a maintenance order registered under this Part of this Act is discharged or varied by any court, the prescribed officer of that court shall give notice of the discharge or variation in the prescribed manner—
(a)to the prescribed officer of any court in which the order is registered; and
(b)if the order was made by another court, to the prescribed officer of that court.
(2)Any officer to whom a notice is given under this section shall cause particulars of the notice to be registered in his court in the prescribed manner.]
Textual Amendments
F52S. 23 substituted by Administration of Justice Act 1977 (c. 38), s. 3, Sch. 3 para. 8
(1)At any time while a maintenance order is registered under this Part of this Act in any court, an application for the cancellation of the registration may be made in the prescribed manner to the prescribed officer of that court by or on behalf of the person entitled to payments under the order; and upon any such application that officer shall (unless proceedings for the variation of the order are pending in that court), cancel the registration, and thereupon the order shall cease to be registered in that court.
(2)Where, after a maintenance order has been registered under this Part of this Act in a court of summary jurisdiction in England or Northern Ireland or a sheriff court in Scotland, it appears to the appropriate authority (as defined by section seventeen of this Act), upon application made in the prescribed manner by or on behalf of the person liable to make payments under the order, that that person has ceased to reside in England, Northern Ireland or Scotland, as the case may be, the appropriate authority may cause a notice to that effect to be sent to the prescribed officer [F53of any court] in which the order is registered; and where such a notice is sent the prescribed officer shall cancel the registration of the maintenance order, and thereupon the order shall cease to be registered in that court.
(3)Where the prescribed officer of any court cancels the registration of a maintenance order under this section, he shall give notice of the cancellation in the prescribed manner
[F54(a)to the prescribed officer of the court by which the order was made; and
(b)to the prescribed officer of any court in which it is registered under Part I of the M35Maintenance Orders Act 1958 [F55or section 36 of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982].
(3A)On receipt of a notice under subsection (3) above:—
(a)any such officer as is mentioned in paragraph (a) of that subsection shall cause particulars of the notice to be registered in his court in the prescribed manner; and
(b)any such officer as is mentioned in paragraph (b) of that subsection shall cause particulars of the notice to be registered in his court in the prescribed manner and shall cancel the registration of the order.]
(4)Except as provided by subsection (5) of this section, the cancellation of the registration of a maintenance order shall not affect anything done in relation to the maintenance order while it was registered.
(5)On the cancellation of the registration of a maintenance order, any order made in relation thereto under subsection (2) of section nineteen of this Act shall cease to have effect; but until the person liable to make payments under the maintenance order receives the prescribed notice of the cancellation, he shall be deemed to comply with the maintenance order if he makes payments in accordance with any order under the said subsection (2) which was in force immediately before the cancellation.
[F56(5A)On the cancellation of the registration of a maintenance order registered in a magistrates’ court in England and Wales, any order—
(a)made in relation thereto by virtue of the powers conferred by section 18(2ZA) or section 22(1A) or (1E) of this Act, and
(b)requiring payment to the clerk of a magistrates’ court in England and Wales (whether or not by any method of payment falling within section 59(6) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980),
shall cease to have effect; but until the person liable to make payments under the maintenance order receives the prescribed notice of the cancellation, he shall be deemed to comply with the maintenance order if he makes payments in accordance with any such order which was in force immediately before the cancellation.]
(6)Where, by virtue of an order made under subsection (2) of section nineteen of this Act, sums payable under a maintenance order registered in a court of summary jurisdiction in England or Northern Ireland are payable through the collecting officer of any court, that officer shall, if the person entitled to the payments so requests, make an application on behalf of that person for the cancellation of the registration.
Textual Amendments
F53Words substituted by Administration of Justice Act 1977 (c. 38), s. 3, Sch. 3 para. 9(a)
F54Words substituted by Administration of Justice Act 1977 (c. 38), s. 3, Sch. 3 para. 9(b)
F55Words inserted by Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 (c. 27, SIF 45:3), ss. 36(6), 52, Sch. 12 Pt. III para. 1(4)
F56S. 24(5A) inserted (1.4.1992) by Maintenance Enforcement Act 1991 (c. 17, SIF 49:3), s. 10, Sch. 1 para.6; S.I. 1992/455, art.2.
Marginal Citations
(1)The power of the Lord Chancellor to make rules under [F57section 144 of the M36Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980], shall include power to make rules for regulating the practice to be followed in courts of summary jurisdiction in England under this Part of this Act.
(2)[F58Rules made under section 23 of the M37Magistrates’ Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 1964 may regulate] the practice to be followed in courts of summary jurisdiction in Northern Ireland under this Part of this Act.
(3)Rules made for the purposes of this Part of this Act may require that any order or other matter required under this Part of this Act to be registered in a court of summary jurisdiction in England or Northern Ireland shall be registered—
(a)in England, by means of a memorandum entered and signed by the prescribed officer of the court in the register kept pursuant to section twenty-two of the M38Summary Jurisdiction Act 1879;
(b)in Northern Ireland, by means of an entry made and signed by the prescribed officer of the court in the order book kept pursuant to [F59magistrates’ courts rules made under section 23(4) of the M39Magistrates’ Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 1964].
Textual Amendments
F57Words substituted by Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43), Sch. 7 para. B
F58Words substituted by Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 (c. 23), Sch. 5 Pt. II
F59Words substituted by S.I. 1977/2158, art. 2(1)(g)(3)
Marginal Citations
M371964 c. 21(N.I.)
M391964 c. 21(N.I.)
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
Point in Time: This becomes available after navigating to view revised legislation as it stood at a certain point in time via Advanced Features > Show Timeline of Changes or via a point in time advanced search.
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including: