Office of Public Sector Information
175.Subsection (6) requires the Commission to serve a copy of the order on the deposit-taker or third party at which it is directed, the non-resident parent responsible for the arrears and, if directed at a joint account, the other account-holders.
176.Section 32G enables accounts or amounts accruing to be frozen during the relevant period.
177.Subsection (1)of section 32G enables interim and final lump sum deduction orders to operate as an instruction to a deposit-taker not to do anything that would reduce the amount of money standing in credit in a non-resident parent’s account to an amount below the amount specified in the order (or if the amount held is below the amount in the order, not to reduce it any further).
178.Subsection (2) enables interim and final lump sum deduction orders to operate as an instruction to a third party not to do anything that would reduce the amount of money due to a non-resident parent to an amount below the amount specified in the order (or if the amount held is below the amount in the order, not to reduce it any further).
179.Subsection (3) sets out that subsections (1) and (2) have effect subject to regulations made under section 32I(1).
180.Subsections (4) and (5) define “the relevant period” as: for interim lump sum deduction orders, the period during which it is in place; and for final lump sum deduction orders, the period from the time it is served on the deposit-taker or third party at which it is directed, until the time when appeals can no longer be brought against it.
181.Subsection (6) sets out that if an appeal is brought against a lump sum deduction order, the relevant period ends when appeal proceedings have been concluded and any period during which further appeal may be brought has ended.
182.Section 32H(1) sets out that once the relevant period has ended, a final lump sum deduction order directed at an account held with a deposit-taker will operate as an instruction to the deposit-taker to deduct the amount of arrears specified in the order from the account and pay it to the Commission and, if the amount held in credit in the account is less than the due amount of arrears, to deduct the whole amount in the account and pay it to the Commission.
183.Subsection (2)of section 32H provides that if any of the due amount of arrears remains unpaid after the lump sum deduction has been paid to the Commission, the deduction order will remain in operation until the relevant time, as an instruction to the deposit-taker to pay to the Commission any amount (not exceeding the remaining amount) and not to do anything that would reduce that amount.
184.Subsection (3) sets out that following the end of the period during which the order is in force, a final lump sum deduction order directed at a third party will operate as an instruction to the third party to deduct the amount of arrears specified in the order from the amount due to the non-resident parent and pay it to the Commission. If the amount due to the non-resident parent is less than the arrears due, the whole amount due should be paid to the Commission.
185.Subsection (4) provides that if any of the due amount of arrears remains unpaid after the lump sum deduction has been paid to the Commission, the deduction order will remain in operation until the relevant time, as an instruction to the third party to pay to the Commission any amount held due to the non-resident parent and not to do anything that would reduce that amount.
186.Subsection (5) clarifies that this section has effect subject to regulations made under sections 32I(1) and 32J(2)(c).
187.Subsection (6) defines “the relevant time” as the earliest of either: the time at which the amount of arrears is paid; the time at which the order lapses or is discharged; and the time at which a prescribed event occurs or prescribed circumstances arise.
188.Section 32I enables the Secretary of State to make regulations providing for circumstances when a deposit-taker or third party may do something to reduce the amount held in an account, or due to the non-resident parent. Subsection (2)ofsection 32Isets out that these regulations may require the Commission’s consent to be obtained in prescribed circumstances.
189.Subsection (3) sets out that the regulations may provide for the Commission’s consent to be applied for by a deposit-taker or third party at which an interim or final deduction order is directed, the non-resident parent responsible for the arrears and, if directed at a joint account, the other account-holders.
190.Subsections (4) and (5) state that if the regulations require the Commission’s consent to be obtained, the Secretary of State shall by regulations provide for a right of appeal to a court against the withholding of that consent. These regulations may include provision with respect to the period within which an appeal can be brought, and the powers of the court to which the appeal lies.
191.Section 32J provides regulation-making powers to the Secretary of State with regard to the practicalities and process relating to lump sum deduction interim and final orders. The following paragraphs give examples of provision that may be made by the regulations.
192.Subsection (2)(a) – the regulations may make provision for the circumstances in which the amounts held in an account are to be disregarded for the purposes of: the making of an interim lump sum deduction order; the instruction to a deposit-taker not to reduce the amount held in credit; and the instruction to a deposit-taker to deduct amounts to pay to the Commission.
193.Subsection (2)(b)– the regulations may make provision for the payment to the Commission of sums deducted under a final lump sum order.
194.Subsection (2)(c) – the regulations may allow the deposit-taker or third party who deducts and pays an amount under a lump sum deduction order to deduct an amount towards administration costs before making any deductions in line with the deduction order.
195.Subsection (2)(d) – the regulations may provide for notifications to be given to the non-resident parent who is subject to a lump sum deduction order and, if the order is directed at a joint account, the other account-holders, regarding the amounts deducted and paid under the order.
196.Subsection (2)(e)– the regulations may require the deposit-taker or third party at which the order is directed to supply prescribed information to the Commission or to notify them if a prescribed circumstance occurs.
197.Subsection (2)(f) – the regulations may allow the Commission to vary an order. They could include, for example, provision that the Commission may vary an order if some of the arrears have been settled.
198.Subsection (2)(g) – the regulations may provide that an order will lapse in prescribed circumstances.
199.Subsection (2)(h) – the regulations may allow an order which has lapsed to be revived in certain circumstances. The regulations may provide that an order may be revived if it has lapsed because the non-resident parent has agreed to make payments but then defaults on those payments.
200.Subsection (2)(i) – the regulations may allow or require an order to be discharged, for example, where the arrears have been paid in full.
201.Subsection (3) of section 32J prevents an order being varied to increase the amount of arrears specified in the order.
202.Subsection (4) provides regulation-making powers to the Secretary of State, with regard to the priority of a final lump sum deduction order and:
any other final lump sum deduction orders in place;
any other type of order which provides for payments to be made by the same deposit-taker or third party from amounts held in credit in an account, or due to the non-resident parent responsible for the arrears; and
any diligence (done in Scotland) against amounts to which a lump sum order relates.
203.Subsection (5) provides regulation-making powers to the Secretary of State to provide a right of appeal against the making of a final lump sum order, to a court.
204.Subsection (6) prevents the court hearing an appeal against the order being made, from questioning the maintenance calculation from which it is derived.
205.Subsection (7) provides that regulations regarding the appeals against the order being made, or the Commission withholding consent, may include provisions regarding:
the length of time a non-resident parent has to make an appeal; and
the powers of a court with respect to an appeal.
206.Section 32K provides that it will be an offence for a person not to comply with a lump sum deduction order or any regulation made under section 32J which has been designated for this purpose. A person found guilty of such an offence will be liable for a fine of up to level 2 on the standard scale (£500). However, there is a defence if the person can show that all reasonable steps were taken to comply with the order or regulation.
207.Section 24 inserts new section 32L into the Child Support Act 1991. Subsection (1) of section 32L enables the Commission to apply to a court to prevent a non-resident parent who has failed to pay maintenance from disposing of or transferring property, if it is being done to avoid paying child support maintenance.
208.Subsection (2) allows the Commission to apply to a court where a non-resident parent has failed to pay maintenance, for an order to set aside a disposition, if that disposition was undertaken with the intention of avoiding child support maintenance payments.
209.Subsection (3) gives the court the ability to make either order if it is satisfied of the grounds.
210.Subsection (4) provides that the court which makes an order under these provisions may make such consequential provision by order or directions as it thinks fit for giving effect to the order, including provision to require the making of any payments or the disposal of any property.
211.Subsection (5) sets out that, for the purposes of an order to set aside a disposition, any disposition can be reviewed unless it was made for valuable (or, in Scotland, adequate) consideration (other than marriage) to a person who acted in good faith and was not aware of the non-resident parent’s intention to avoid child support maintenance payments.
212.Subsections (6) and (7) clarify that, when an application is made for an order either to freeze assets, or to set aside a disposition, if the court is satisfied that either the disposition or other dealing would result in making the recovery of child support maintenance ineffective, it is to be assumed that the action was done or planned with the intention of avoiding child support maintenance payments.
213.Subsection (8) defines that for the purposes of this section, “disposition” does not include any provision contained in a will or codicil, but does include any conveyance, assurance or gift of property of any description.
214.Subsection (9) clarifies that this provision does not apply to a disposition made before the provision comes into force.
215.Subsection (10) defines that, for the purposes of this section, “the court” means the High Court in England and Wales, and the Court of Session or the sheriff in Scotland.
216.Subsection (11) sets out that an order made in a Scottish court to either freeze assets or set aside those already disposed of is effective for such period (including an indefinite period) as the order specifies, and may on application to the court be varied or recalled.
217.This section inserts sections 32M and 32N into the Child Support Act 1991. This introduces a new liability order which will be made administratively by the Commission. The order will effectively certify the amount owed by the non-resident parent, and will be the first step to enforcement action (e.g. bailiff action). There will no longer be a need to apply to the courts for a liability order.
218.Section 32M enables the Commission to make an administrative liability order against a non-resident parent if they have failed to pay an amount of child support maintenance due.
219.Subsection (2) of Section 32M allows an administrative liability order to be made in respect of an amount of maintenance arrears where there is an ongoing appeal against the maintenance calculation. The administrative liability order can only be made in such circumstances if the Commission concludes that the outcome of the appeal will not affect the amount of arrears stated in the order, or if it will, it still considers that making the order is fair in all the circumstances.
220.Subsection (3) prevents the order from coming into force until the end of the period during which an appeal can be made, and if an appeal is made, until the appeal proceedings have been concluded and any period during which a further appeal may ordinarily be brought has ended.
221.Subsection (4) provides for the avoidance of doubt, that where regulations have been made under section 29(3)(a) of the Child Support Act 1991, the person liable to pay child support maintenance (the non-resident parent) is taken to have failed to pay if they have not paid it to, or through the person specified in, or by virtue of, the regulations for their case.
222.Section 32N provides regulation-making powers to the Secretary of State with respect to the practical process regarding administrative liability orders.
223.Subsection (2)(a) of section 32N – the regulations may make provision about the form and content of an administrative liability order.
224.Subsection (2)(b)– the regulations may prevent the liability order coming into force if, before it does, the non-resident parent pays in full the arrears covered by the order.
225.Subsection (2)(c)and (d) – the regulations may provide for the order to be discharged or revived. The regulations may provide, for example, that an order may be discharged if the non-resident parent pays off all of the arrears.
226.This section amends section 36 of the Child Support Act 1991, removing the requirement that an order from the county court needs to be obtained before an application for a charging order or a third party debt order can be made. In the future, an application can be made where an administrative liability order has been made.
227.This section inserts six new sections, 39B, 39C, 39D, 39E, 39F, and 39G into the Child Support Act 1991 and provides the Commission with a power to apply to a court to disqualify a non-resident parent for holding or obtaining a travel authorisation.
228.New section 39B enables the Commission to apply to a court to disqualify a non-resident parent for holding or obtaining a travel authorisation if:
it has sought to recover the arrears through the use of bailiffs (in England and Wales), or diligence action (in Scotland) or by means of a third party debt order or charging order;
the whole or any part of the arrears remains unpaid; and
it is of the opinion that that the non-resident parent has wilfully refused or culpably neglected to pay maintenance.
229.Subsection (2) of section 39B provides that the Commission is to be taken as having sought to recover arrears through a charging order if an interim charging order is in place, whether or not further action has been taken to recover the amount.
230.Subsection (3) determines that the non-resident parent against whom an order is made, will be subject to disqualification for holding or obtaining a travel authorisation for the period the order has effect.
231.Subsection (4) of section 39B requires the court to inquire in the presence of the non-resident parent whether that person requires a travel authorisation to earn a living, whether there has been wilful refusal or culpable neglect on the part of that person, and also as to that person’s means.
232.Subsection (5) prevents the court from making an order unless it is of the opinion that there has been wilful refusal or culpable neglect on the part of the non-resident parent.
233.Subsection (6) prevents the court from making an order to disqualify a non-resident parent for holding or obtaining a travel authorisation at the same time as making an order to commit that person to prison.
234.Subsection (7) prevents a court, when considering an application for disqualification for holding or obtaining a travel authorisation, from questioning the liability order on which an application has been made, or the original maintenance calculation which is the basis of the liability order.
235.Subsection (8) sets out that the amount specified in the order will be an aggregate of the amount stated in the liability order as remains outstanding, and the costs of making the application (as determined in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State).
236.Subsections (9) and (10) stipulate that the court will require the non-resident parent to produce any travel authorisation that person may hold, and the court will send that travel authorisation to a person prescribed in regulations.
237.Subsection (11) requires the court, on making an order to disqualify a non-resident parent for holding or obtaining a travel authorisation, or allowing an appeal against such an order, to notify the Commission of that fact (providing such information and sent in such a manner and to such an address as the Commission determines).
238.Subsection (12) sets out definitions for the purposes of this section. In particular, travel authorisation means:
a UK passport (within the meaning of the Immigration Act 1971);
an ID card issued under the Identity Cards Act 2006 that records that the person to whom it has been issued is a British citizen.
239.Subsection (13) defines “court” for the purposes of this section (except in relation to an appeal) as:
a magistrates’ court in relation to England and Wales;
the sheriff in relation to Scotland.
240.Section 39C concerns the duration of an order made under section 39B.
241.Subsection (1) of section 39C sets out that the disqualification period shall be specified by the court but shall not exceed two years.
242.Subsections (2), (3) and (4) enable the court on or after making an order to suspend it where a non-resident parent agrees to pay the child support maintenance or in exceptional circumstances on such conditions as it thinks just.
243.Subsection (5) provides that the Commission may make another application to the court to disqualify a person for holding or obtaining a travel authorisation if, when the effective period of the original order has ended, an amount specified in that order remains outstanding.
244.Section 39D provides a power for the court to search a non-resident parent against whom an order to disqualify for holding or obtaining a travel authorisation has been made.
245.Subsection (2) of section 39D sets out that during a search, any money found on a non-resident parent shall (unless the court otherwise directs) be taken by the court and put towards the amount due , and the balance, if any, returned to the person searched.
246.Subsection (3) prevents the court from taking any money found during a search if it is satisfied that it did not belong to the person searched.
247.Section 39E provides that where the non-resident parent makes part payment of the amount stated in the order, the court may either revoke, or reduce the period of, that order .
248.Subsection (2) states that the court must, on application by the Commission or the non-resident parent, revoke the order where the amount specified in the order is paid in full to any person authorised to receive it.
249.Subsection (3) enables the Commission to make representations to the court regarding the amount which should be paid before an order is revoked. The non-resident parent may reply to those representations.
250.Subsection (4) provides that the court can revoke an order or reduce the period for which it has effect, without the need for an application, if money found during a search is paid towards the amount specified in the order.
251.Subsection (5) requires the court to send notice to the Commission if it revokes an order or reduces the period for which it has effect.
252.Section 39F provides regulation-making powers to the Secretary of State.
253.Subsection (a) of section 39F sets out that those provisions may:
make provision in relation to orders to disqualify a non-resident parent for holding or obtaining a travel authorisation, corresponding to the provision that may be made under section 40(11) of the Child Support Act 1991 (provision in relation to warrants of commitment to prison); and
make provision for sections 39C to 39E to have effect with prescribed modifications, in cases where a person who is subject to an order disqualifying them for holding or obtaining a travel authorisation is outside the United Kingdom.
254.Section 39G applies disqualification orders and regulations to Scotland.
255.Subsection (a) of section 39F as it applies in Scotland provides the Secretary of State with regulation-making powers to make provisions for orders to disqualify a non-resident parent for holding or obtaining a travel authorisation to have effect with prescribed modifications, in cases where a non-resident parent is outside of the United Kingdom. It also enables regulations to provide the ability to use an employer’s written confirmation that wages have been paid to a non-resident parent as evidence.
256.Subsection (b) sets out that the power of the Court of Session by Act of Sederunt to regulate the procedure and practice in civil proceedings in the sheriff court shall include the power to make provision corresponding to that which may be made by virtue of section 40A(8) of the Child Support Act 1991.
257.Section 28 inserts ten new sections, 39H, 39I, 39J, 39K, 39L, 39M, 39N, 39O, 39P and 39Q, into the Child Support Act 1991 and provides the Commission with a power to apply to a magistrates’ court (or, in Scotland, the sheriff) for a curfew order to be made against a non-resident parent who fails to pay maintenance.
258.The new section 39H enables the Commission to apply to the court for a curfew order against a non-resident parent if:
it has sought to recover the arrears through the use of bailiffs (in England and Wales), or diligence action (in Scotland) or by means of a third party debt order or charging order;
the whole or any part of the arrears remains unpaid; and
it is of the opinion that the non-resident parent has wilfully refused or culpably neglected to pay maintenance.
259.Subsection (2)of section 39H provides that the Commission is to be taken as having sought to recover arrears through a charging order if an interim charging order is in place, whether or not further action has been taken to recover the amount.
260.Subsection (3) requires the court to inquire (in the presence of the non-resident parent against whom the liability order has been made) about that person’s means, and whether they have wilfully refused or culpably neglected to pay the child support maintenance for which they are liable.
261.Subsection (4) prevents a court, when considering an application for a curfew, from questioning the liability order on which an application for a curfew order has been made, or the original maintenance calculation which is the basis of the liability order.
262.Subsection (5) prevents the court from making a curfew order, unless it is of the opinion that the non-resident parent has wilfully refused or culpably neglected to pay maintenance.
263.Subsection (6) prevents the court from making an order against a person who is under the age of eighteen.
264.Subsection (7) provides that for the purposes of this section and sections 39I to 39O the ‘court’ means magistrates’ court in England and Wales, and the sheriff in Scotland.
265.Section 39I concerns the duration of a curfew order.
266.Subsection (1) of section 39I stipulates that a curfew order must be limited to between two and twelve hours in any one day, but may include different periods and different places for different days.
267.Subsections (2) and (3) require the period of the curfew to be specified in the order, that it not last for more than six months and that it begin on the day the order is made unless otherwise specified.
268.Subsection (4) ensures that the curfew imposed does not conflict (so far as practicable) with the non-resident parent’s religious beliefs or interfere with the times at which they normally work or attend any educational establishment.
269.Subsection (5) prevents a magistrates’ court from specifying a curfew location outside England and Wales, and a sheriff from specifying a curfew location outside Scotland.
270.Section 39J provides that where a curfew order has been made, the court shall also make an order requiring the non-resident parent for whom the order has been made, to pay an amount in respect of the costs of the application and the monitoring of the curfew order.
271.Subsection (2) of section 39J provides that the powers available for the Commission to collect and enforce child support maintenance also apply to the recovery of costs incurred in making an order under this section.
272.Section 39K sets out provisions about the relationship between the amount of maintenance outstanding and the curfew order imposed.
273.Subsection (1) of section 39K stipulates that a curfew order will be made in respect of an amount of money which totals both the amount sought to be recovered which remains outstanding, and the costs ordered by the court under section 32J in relation to the application for a curfew order and monitoring compliance with that order.
274.Where part of the amount in respect of which a curfew order has been made is paid to any person authorised to receive it, subsection (2) allows the court (on application by either the non-resident parent or the Commission) discretion to:
reduce the period the curfew order is in place;
allow the curfew to start on a day later than the day the order would otherwise begin to run;
suspend the curfew or extend any existing suspension; or
revoke the curfew order.
275.Subsection (3) enables the start date for a curfew, or the ability to suspend it, to be subject to specified conditions.
276.Where a non-resident parent has paid some of the arrears, subsection (4) allows the Commission to make representations to the courts as to which of the powers conferred by subsection (2) should be exercised. The non-resident parent may reply to such representations.
277.Subsection (5) requires the court (on application by the non-resident parent or the Commission) to revoke a curfew order if the whole amount specified in the curfew order has been paid by the non-resident parent to any person authorised to receive it.
278.Subsection (6) enables the Commission to make a further application to the court if by the end of the curfew period the amount specified in the order has not been paid in full.
279.Section 39L provides a power for the court to order the search of a non-resident parent in respect of whom a curfew order has been made.
280.Subsection (2) of section 39L sets out that during a search, any money found on a non-resident parent shall (unless the court otherwise directs) be taken by the court and put towards the amount specified in the curfew order (the balance, if any, would be returned to the person searched).
281.Subsection (3) prevents the court from taking any money if it is satisfied that it does not belong to the person searched.
282.Subsection (4) gives some flexibility to the court enabling it to exercise its powers to postpone, suspend or revoke the order or reduce the period for which it is in place (under section 39K(2)) without the need for a separate application, where money is found and put towards the amount owed by the non-resident parent.
283.Section 39M sets out the provisions relating to how a curfew will be monitored.
284.Subsection (1) of section 39M requires the non-resident parent’s compliance with a curfew order to be monitored by a person or body specified in the order.
285.Subsection (2) prevents the court from imposing a curfew order unless:
it has been notified by the Commission that suitable monitoring arrangements are available in the place specified in the order;
it is satisfied with those arrangements; and
it has the consent of any third party whose co-operation is necessary for monitoring the curfew order, for example, a landlord who must give permission for a monitoring system to be installed in the home of a non-resident parent.
286.Where a third party’s consent can not be obtained, subsection (3) enables the court to treat the application for a curfew order as an application for committal to prison.
287.Subsection (4) provides the Secretary of State with regulation-making powers to enable the responsible officer to allow the non-resident parent to be absent from the place specified in the curfew order during the curfew period in certain cases or circumstances, and also the power to set out the requirements which may be imposed in relation to such an absence.
288.Section 39N concerns breaches of curfew orders.
289.Subsection (1) of section 39N allows the person responsible for monitoring compliance with the curfew order, or the Commission, to apply to the court should the non-resident parent not meet the requirements of the curfew order, or subsequent requirements imposed by virtue of section 39M(4).
290.Subsections (2)and (3) require the court to establish (in the presence of the non-resident parent) whether the curfew order has been breached without reasonable excuse, and if it is found to have been, the court can issue a warrant to commit the non-resident parent to prison or extend the period of the curfew order.
291.Subsection (4) sets out that a warrant for committal to prison shall order that the non-resident parent be imprisoned for the period specified in the warrant but released (unless in custody for a different reason) should they pay the full amount due in respect of which the curfew order was made.
292.Subsection (5) provides that a warrant may be directed to such person or persons as the court sees fit.
293.Subsection (6)provides that where a curfew order is extended because it has been breached, that order can not be extended for more than six months from the date the extension of the order is made.
294.Subsection (7) enables the court to release a non-resident parent from prison or reduce their sentence if they pay part of the amount specified in the curfew order, following an application from the Commission or the non-resident parent.
295.Where part of the amount specified in the order is paid and the court is considering an application under subsection (7), subsection (8) enables the Commission to make representations to the court about which of its powers under subsection (7) (to reduce the period specified in the warrant or to release the person imprisoned) should be exercised. It also enables the non-resident parent to respond to those representations.
296.Section 39O prevents a court from making a curfew order against a non-resident parent who is in custody for any reason.
297.Subsections (2)and (3) of section 39O suspend a curfew order if the non-resident parent is committed to prison, and commence it once the suspension is lifted because the non-resident parent is released from prison.
298.Section 39P provides the Secretary of State with regulation-making powers regarding the practical procedures relating to curfew orders in England and Wales.
299.Subsection (2) of section 39Psets out that the regulations may in particular include provisions relating to the following:
form and content of a curfew order;
allowing an application for a curfew order to be renewed if no order is made;
allowing an employer’s written statement as evidence that wages have been paid to a non-resident parent;
enabling a justice of the peace to issue a summons for a person to appear in court and, where they do not, to issue a warrant for their arrest, or to issue a warrant for arrest without issuing a summons first, to secure a person’s presence before a court;
the execution of a warrant for arrest;
enabling a curfew order to be amended or revoked on application to the magistrates’ court by the Commission or the non-resident parent;
in relation to any amendment, provision similar to that in section 39J – determining the amount of costs the court can recover from a non-resident parent, section 39L – ordering a search of a non-resident parent, 39M(2) and (3) – requirement for monitoring arrangements to be in place; and
how a magistrates’ court exercises its power following part payment under sections 39K(2) and (3) and section 39N(7).
300.Subsections (3) and (4) provide for the making of regulations enabling a magistrates’ court to amend a curfew order to specify a location in Scotland. In these circumstances any functions of the court in relation to the curfew order shall be exercisable by the sheriff.
301.Section 39Q provides the Secretary of State with regulation-making powers regarding the practical processes relating to curfew orders in Scotland.
302.Subsection (2) of section 39Q sets out that the regulations may in particular make provision relating to the following:
content of a curfew order;
allowing an employer’s written statement as evidence that wages have been paid to a non-resident parent;
enabling a curfew order to be amended or revoked on application to the sheriff by the Commission or the non-resident parent
in relation to any amendment, provision similar to that in section 39J – determining the amount of costs the court can recover from a non-resident parent, section 39L – ordering a search of a non-resident parent, 39M(2) and (3) – requirement for monitoring arrangements to be in place; and
how the sheriff exercises the powers conferred by sections 39K(2) and (3) andsection 39N(7).
303.Subsections (3) and (4) make provision for regulations enabling the sheriff to amend a curfew order to specify a location in England and Wales. In these circumstances any functions of the sheriff in relation to the curfew order shall be exercisable instead by the magistrates’ court.
304.Subsection (5) sets out that the power of the Court of Session by Act of Sederunt to regulate the procedure and practice in civil proceedings in the sheriff court shall include power to make provision for:
form of a curfew order;
allowing an application for a curfew order to be renewed if no order is made;
enabling the sheriff to issue a citation for a person to appear before the sheriff, and if that person does not appear, to issue a warrant for their arrest;
enabling the sheriff to issue a warrant for arrest without issuing a citation first, to secure a person’s presence before it; and
the execution of a warrant for arrest.
305.Section 29 inserts four new subsections (2A), (2B), (2C)and (2D) into section 40 of the Child Support Act 1991. These provisions will enable the Commission to make a separate application to a magistrates’ court to commit a non-resident parent to prison for failure to pay child support maintenance.
306.The new subsection (2A) enables the Commission to apply to a magistrates’ court for the issue of a warrant committing a non-resident parent to prison if:
it has sought to recover an amount through the use of bailiffs (in England and Wales), or diligence action (in Scotland) or by means of a third party debt order or charging order;
the whole or any part of the amount due remains unpaid; and
it is of the opinion that the non-resident parent has wilfully refused or culpably neglected to pay maintenance.
307.New subsection (2B) provides that the Commission is to be taken as having sought to recover an amount due through a charging order if an interim charging order is in place, whether or not further action has been taken to recover the amount.
Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008