N.I.

N.I.

IntroductoryN.I.

Title and commencementN.I.

1.-(1) This Order may be cited as the Child Support (Northern Ireland) Order 1991.

(2) This Order shall come into operation on such day or days as may be appointed by order made by the Lord Chancellor or the Head of the Department or by both of them acting jointlyF3.

(3) An order under paragraph (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 operation by the order, including such adaptations or modifications of-

(a)the provisions so brought into operation;

(b)any provisions of this Order then in operation; or

(c)any provision of any other statutory provision,

as appear to him to be necessary or expedient.

(4) Different provision may be made by virtue of paragraph (3) with respect to different periods.

(5) Any provision made by virtue of paragraph (3) 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 sub-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.

InterpretationN.I.

2.-(1) The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954F4 shall apply to Article 1 and the following provisions of this Order as it applies to a Measure of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

(2) In this Order-

" [F5non-resident parent]" has the meaning given in Article 4(2);

Definition rep. by 1998 NI 10

[F6"appeal tribunal" means an appeal tribunal constituted under Chapter 1 of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998;]

[F7"application for a [F8variation]" means an application under Article 28A [F9or 28G];]

F10"benefit Acts" means the[F7 Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 and the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992]

"child benefit" has the same meaning as in the Child Benefit (Northern Ireland) Order 1975F11;

Definitions rep. by 1998 NI 10

"Child Support Commissioner" means a Child Support Commissioner for Northern Ireland appointed under section 23 of the Child Support Act 1991F12;

"child support maintenance" has the meaning given in Article 4(6);

Definition rep. by 1998 NI 10

F13"deduction from earnings order" has the meaning given in Article 31(2);

[F14"default maintenance decision" has the meaning given in Article 14;]

"the Department" means the Department of Health and Social Services;

F15"disability living allowance" has the same meaning as in the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Act 1975F16;

Definition rep. by 2002 c. 21

"income support" has the same meaning as in the benefit Acts;

[F17"income-based jobseeker's allowance" has the same meaning as in the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995;]

"interim maintenance [F18decision]" has the meaning given in Article 14;

"liability order" has the meaning given in Article 33(2);

"maintenance agreement" has the meaning given in Article 11(1);

[F19"maintenance calculation" means a calculation of maintenance made under this Order and, except in prescribed circumstances, includes a default maintenance decision and an interim maintenance decision;]

"maintenance order" has the meaning given in Article 10(11);

F20"parent", in relation to any child, means any person who is in law the mother or father of the child and, in the case of an illegitimate child, includes the father;

[F7"parent with care" means a person who is, in relation to a child, both a parent and a person with care;]

"parental responsibility",[F21 has the same meaning as in the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995];

"person with care" has the meaning given in Article 4(3);

"prescribed", except in Article 12(5), means prescribed by regulations made by the Department;

"qualifying child" has the meaning given in Article 4(1);

"statutory provision" has the meaning assigned to it by section 1(f) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954F22.

[F23"voluntary payment" has the meaning given in Article 28J.]

Meaning of "child"N.I.

3 .F24-(1) For the purposes of this Order 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 Department; or

(c)he does not fall within sub-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 Order if he-

(a)is or has been married[F25 or a civil partner];

(b)has celebrated a marriage[F25, or been a party to a civil partnership,] which is void; or

(c)has celebrated a marriage in respect of which a decree of nullity has been granted[F25 or has been a party to a civil partnership in respect of which a nullity order has been made].

(3) In this Article-

"advanced education" means education of a prescribed description; and

"recognised educational establishment" means an establishment recognised by the Department for the purposes of this Article as being, or as comparable to, a university, college or school.

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

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

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

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

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

Meaning of certain other terms used in this OrderN.I.

4 .F26-(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 Department shall not, under paragraph (3)(c), prescribe as a category-

(a)parents;

(b)guardians;

(c)persons[F27 in whose favour residence orders under Article 8 of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 are in force].

(5) For the purposes of this Order 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 Order as "child support maintenance".

(7) Expressions are defined in this Article only for the purposes of this Order.

The basic principlesN.I.

The duty to maintainN.I.

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

(2) For the purposes of this Order, 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 Order.

(3) Where a maintenance assessment made under this Order 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.

Welfare of children: the general principleN.I.

6. Where in any case which falls to be dealt with under this Order, the Department is considering the exercise of any discretionary power conferred by this Order, the Department shall have regard to the welfare of any child likely to be affected by its decision.

Child support maintenanceN.I.

7.-(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 Department for a maintenance assessment to be made under this Order 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 Article the Department may, if the persons with care or absent parent with respect to whom the assessment was made applies to it under this paragraph, 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 paragraph (2) for the enforcement of the obligation mentioned in paragraph (2)(b) authorises the Department to take steps to enforce that obligation whenever it considers it necessary to do so, the Department may act accordingly.

(4) A person who applies to the Department under this Article shall, so far as that person reasonably can, comply with such regulations as may be made by the Department with a view to the Department being provided with the information which is required to enable-

(a)the absent parent to beF28 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 Department under this Article may at any time request it to cease acting under this Article.

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

(7) The obligation to provide information which is imposed by paragraph (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 Department.

(8) The Department may by regulations make such incidental, supplemental or transitional provision as it thinks appropriate with respect to cases in which it is requested to cease to act under this Article.

(9) No application may be made under this Article 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 Article 9.

No application may be made at any time under this Article with respect to a qualifying child or any qualifying children if-

(a)there is in force a written maintenance agreement made before 5th April 1993, or a maintenance order, in respect of that child or those children and the person who is, at that time, the absent parent; or

(b)benefit is being paid to, or in respect of, a parent with care of that child or those children.

In paragraph (10) "benefit" means any benefit which is mentioned in, or prescribed by regulations under, Article 9(1).]

Child support maintenance: supplemental provisionsN.I.

8.-(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 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 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 Department 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.

[F30Applications by those claiming or receiving benefitN.I.

9.-(1) This Article applies where income support, an income-based jobseeker's allowance 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 who is also a person with care of the child.

In this Article, that person is referred to as the parent.

The Department may-

(a)treat the parent as having applied for a maintenance calculation with respect to the qualifying child and all other children of the non-resident parent in relation to whom the parent is also a person with care; and

(b)take action under this Order to recover from the non-resident parent, on the parent's behalf, the child support maintenance so determined.

Before doing what is mentioned in paragraph (3), the Department shall notify the parent in writing of the effect of paragraphs (3) and (5) and Article 43.

The Department may not act under paragraph (3) if the parent asks it not to (a request which need not be in writing).

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

Unless the parent has made a request under paragraph (5), that parent shall, so far as that parent reasonably can, comply with such regulations as may be made by the Department with a view to its being provided with the information which is required to enable-

(a)the non-resident parent to be identified or traced;

(b)the amount of child support maintenance payable by the non-resident parent to be calculated; and

(c)that amount to be recovered from the non-resident parent.

The obligation to provide information which is imposed by paragraph (7)-

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

(b)may, in such circumstances as may be prescribed, be waived by the Department.

If the parent ceases to fall within paragraph (1), that parent may ask the Department to cease acting under this Article, but until then it may continue to do so.

The Department shall comply with any request under paragraph (9) (but subject to any regulations made under paragraph (11)).

The Department may by regulations make such incidental or transitional provision as it thinks appropriate with respect to cases in which it is asked under paragraph (9) to cease acting under this Article.

The fact that a maintenance calculation is in force with respect to a person with care does not prevent the making of a new maintenance calculation with respect to that person as a result of the Department acting under paragraph (3).]

Role of the courts with respect to maintenance for childrenN.I.

10.-(1) This paragraph applies in any case where[F31 the Department] 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[F32 or treated as made] by a person entitled to apply for such an assessment with respect to that child.

(2) Paragraph (1) applies even though the circumstances of the case are such that[F31 the Department] would not make an assessment if it were applied for.

(3) [F33Except as provided in paragraph (3A),] in any case where paragraph (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.

Unless a maintenance calculation has been made with respect to the child concerned, paragraph (3) does not prevent a court from varying a maintenance order in relation to that child and the non-resident parent concerned-

(a)if the maintenance order was made on or after the date prescribed for the purposes of Article 7(10)(a); or

(b)where the order was made before then, in any case in which Article 7(10) prevents the making of an application for a maintenance calculation with respect to or by that child.]

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

(5) The Lord Chancellor may[F35, with the concurrence of the Lord Chief Justice,] by order provide that, in such circumstances as may be specified by the order, this Article 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.

The Lord Chief Justice may nominate any of the following to exercise his functions under paragraph (5)-

(a)the holder of one of the offices listed in Schedule 1 to the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002;

(b)a Lord Justice of Appeal (as defined in section 88 of that Act).]

(6) This Article 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;

[F37(b)the non-resident parent's net weekly income exceeds the figure referred to in paragraph 10(3) of Schedule 1 (as it has effect from time to time pursuant to regulations made under paragraph 10A(1)(b)); 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 Article 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 Article 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 paragraph (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 Article 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 Order "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-

(b)Part III of the Matrimonial Causes (Northern Ireland) Order 1978F38;

(c)the Domestic Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Order 1980F39;

(d)Part IV of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Order 1989F40;

[F41(da)Schedule 15, 16 or 17 to the Civil Partnership Act 2004; or]

[F42(dd)Schedule 1 to the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995;]

(e)any other prescribed statutory provision,

and includes any order varying or reviving such an order.

Agreements about maintenanceN.I.

11.-(1) In this Article "maintenance agreement" means any agreement for the making, or for securing the making, of periodical payments by way of maintenance to or for the benefit of any child.

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

(3) [F43Subject to Article 7(10)(a)] 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 Article 10 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 to or for the benefit of that child; or

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

In any case in which Article 7(10) prevents the making of an application for a maintenance assessment, and-

F44(a)no application has been made for a maintenance assessment under Article 9, or

(b)such an application has been made but no maintenance assessment has been made in response to it,

paragraph (5) shall have effect with the omission of sub-paragraph (b).]

Relationship between maintenance assessments and certain court orders and related mattersN.I.

12.-(1) Where an order of a kind prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph 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 e ect to such extent as may be determined in accordance with regulations made by the Department; 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 paragraph 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 Department; 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 Article 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 paragraph (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 Order;

(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 Department 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 Department may by regulations make provision for-

(a)notification to be given by the[F45 the Department] to the prescribed person in any case where[F45 it] 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 paragraph;

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

(5) Magistrates' courts rules may be made requiring any person who, in prescribed circumstances, makes an application to a court of summary jurisdiction for a maintenance order to furnish the court with a statement in a prescribed form, and signed by[F45 an officer of the Department], 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.

(6) In paragraph (5)-

"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.

Maintenance assessmentsN.I.

F46Maintenance assessmentsN.I.

13.-(1) Any application for a maintenance assessment made to the Department shall be[F47 dealt with by it] in accordance with the provision made by or under this Order.

Where-

(a)an application for a maintenance assessment is made under Article 9, but

(b)the Department becomes aware,[F47 before determining the application], that the claim mentioned in paragraph (1) of that Article has been disallowed or withdrawn, the Department shall, subject of paragraph (1B), treat the application as if it had not been made.

If it appears to the Department that paragraph (10) of Article 7 would not have prevent the parent with care concerned from making an application for a maintenance assessment under that Article the Department shall-

(a)notify that parent of the effect of this paragraph, and

(b)if, before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which notice was sent to that parent, that parent asks the Department to do so, treat the application as having been made not under Article 9 but under Article 7.

Where the application is not preserved under paragraph (1B) (and so is treated as not having been made) the Department shall notify-

(a)the parent with care concerned; and

(b)the absent parent (or alleged absent parent), where it appears to him that that person is aware of the application.]

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.

F49Interim maintenance assessmentsN.I.

14.-[F50(1) Where the Department-

(a)is required to make a maintenance assessment; or

(b)is proposing to make a decision under Article 18 or 19,

and (in either case) it appears to the Department that it does not have sufficient information to enable it to do so, the Department may make an interim maintenance assessment.]

The Department 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[F50 the Department] shall, if it is reasonably practicable to do so, give written notice of[F50 its] intention to make such an assessment to-

(a)the absent parent concerned; and

(b)the person with care concerned.

(5) Where[F50 the Department] serves notice under paragraph (4),[F50 it] shall not make the proposed interim assessment before the end of such period as may be prescribed.

Child support officersN.I.

Art. 15 rep. by 1998 NI 10

InformationN.I.

Information required by the DepartmentN.I.

16.-(1) The Department may make regulations requiring any information or evidence needed for the determination of any applicationF51 under this Order, 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 Order, to be furnished-

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

(b)in accordance with the regulations.

Regulations under paragraph (1) may make provision for notifying any person who is required to furnish any information or evidence under the regulations of the possible consequences of failing to do so.]

Paras. (2), (2A) rep. by 1995 NI 13

(3) The Department may by regulations make provision authorising the disclosure by it, in such circumstances as may be prescribed, of such information held by[F53 it] for purposes of this Order as may be prescribed.

Para. (4) rep. by 1995 NI 13

[F54Information - offencesN.I.

16A.-(1) This Article applies to-

(a)persons who are required to comply with regulations under Article 7(4); and

(b)persons specified in regulations under Article 16(1)(a).

Such a person is guilty of an offence if, pursuant to a request for information under or by virtue of those regulations-

(a)he makes a statement or representation which he knows to be false; or

(b)he provides, or knowingly causes or knowingly allows to be provided, a document or other information which he knows to be false in a material particular.

Such a person is guilty of an offence if, following such a request, he fails to comply with it.

It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under paragraph (3) to prove that he had a reasonable excuse for failing to comply.

A person guilty of an offence under this Article is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.]

Powers of inspectorsN.I.

17.-[F55(1) The Department may appoint, on such terms as it thinks fit, persons to act as inspectors under this Article.

The function of inspectors shall be to acquire information which the Department needs for any of the purposes of this Order.

Every inspector shall be given a certificate of his appointment.

An inspector shall have power, at any reasonable time and either alone or accompanied by such other persons as he thinks fit, to enter any premises which-

(a)are liable to inspection under this Article; and

(b)are premises to which it is reasonable for him to require entry in order that he may exercise his functions under this Article,

and may there make such examination and inquiry as he considers appropriate.

Premises liable to inspection under this Article are those which are not used wholly as a dwelling house and which the inspector has reasonable grounds for suspecting are-

(a)premises at which a non-resident parent is or has been employed;

(b)premises at which a non-resident parent carries out, or has carried out, a trade, profession, vocation or business;

(c)premises at which there is information held by a person ( "A") whom the inspector has reasonable grounds for suspecting has information about a non-resident parent acquired in the course of A's own trade, profession, vocation or business.]

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,[F55 any such person] shall furnish to the inspector all such information and documents as the inspector may reasonably require.

(7) No person shall be required under this Article to answer any question or to give any evidence tending to incriminate himself or, in the case of a person who is married[F56 or is a civil partner], his or her spouse[F56 or civil partner].

(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 Article,

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 Article-

"certificate" means a certificate of appointment issued under this Article;

"inspector" means an inspector appointed under this Article;

"powers" means powers conferred by this Article;

Definition rep. by 2000 c. 4 (NI)

In this Article, "premises" includes-

(a)moveable structures and vehicles, vessels, aircraft and hovercraft;

(b)installations that are offshore installations for the purposes of the Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act 1971; and

(c)places of all other descriptions whether or not occupied as land or otherwise,

and references in this Article to the occupier of premises shall be construed, in relation to premises that are not occupied as land, as references to any person for the time being present at the place in question.]

Reviews and appealsN.I.

F57Revision of decisionsN.I.

18.-(1) Any decision of the Department under Article 13, 14 or 19 may be revised by the Department-

(a)either within the prescribed period or in prescribed cases or circumstances; and

(b)either on an application made for the purpose or on the Department's own initiative,

and regulations may prescribe the procedure by which a decision of the Department may be so revised.

(2) In making a decision under paragraph (1), the Department need not consider any issue that is not raised by the application or, as the case may be, did not cause the Department to act on its own initiative.

(3) Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5) and Article 28ZC, a revision under this Article shall take effect as from the date on which the original decision took (or was to take) effect.

(4) Regulations may provide that, in prescribed cases or circumstances, a revision under this Article shall take effect as from such other date as may be prescribed.

(5) Where a decision is revised under this Article, for the purpose of any rule as to the time allowed for bringing an appeal, the decision shall be regarded as made on the date on which it is so revised.

(6) Except in prescribed circumstances, an appeal against a decision of the Department shall lapse if the decision is revised under this Article before the appeal is determined.

[F58Decisions superseding earlier decisionsN.I.

19.-(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the following, namely-

(a)any decision of the Department under Article 13 or 14 or this Article, whether as originally made or as revised under Article 18;

(b)any decision of an appeal tribunal under Article 22;F59 and

F60(c)any decision of a Child Support Commissioner on an appeal from such a decision as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (b),

may be superseded by a decision made by the Department, either on an application made for the purpose or on the Department's own initiative.

In making a decision under paragraph (1), the Department need not consider any issue that is not raised by the application or, as the case may be, did not cause the Department to act on its own initiative.

Regulations may prescribe the cases and circumstances in which, and the procedure by which, a decision may be made under this Article.

Subject to paragraph (5) and Article 28ZC, a decision under this Article shall take effect as from the date on which it is made or, where applicable, the date on which the application was made.

Regulations may provide that, in prescribed cases or circumstances, a decision under this Article shall take effect as from such other date as may be prescribed.]

[F61F62Appeals to appeal tribunalsN.I.

22.-(1) Where an application for a maintenance assessment is refused, the person who made that application shall have a right of appeal to an appeal tribunal against the refusal.

Where a maintenance assessment is in force, the absent parent or person with care with respect to whom it was made shall have a right of appeal to an appeal tribunal against the amount of the assessment or the date from which the assessment takes effect.

Where a maintenance assessment is cancelled, or an application for the cancellation of a maintenance assessment is refused, the absent parent or person with care with respect to whom the maintenance assessment in question was, or remains, in force, shall have a right of appeal to an appeal tribunal against the cancellation or refusal.

A person with a right of appeal under this Article shall be given such notice of that right and, in the case of a right conferred by paragraph (1) or (3), such notice of the decision as may be prescribed.

Regulations may make-

(a)provision as to the manner in which, and the time within which, appeals are to be brought; and

(b)such provision with respect to proceedings before appeal tribunals as the Department considers appropriate.

The regulations may in particular make any provision of a kind mentioned in Schedule 4 to the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998.

In deciding an appeal under this Article, an appeal tribunal-

(a)need not consider any issue that is not raised by the appeal; and

(b)shall not take into account any circumstances not obtaining at the time when the decision or assessment appealed against was made.]

Matters concerning Child Support CommissionersN.I.

24. Schedule 4 shall have effect with respect to certain matters concerning Child Support Commissioners.

[F63Redetermination of appealsN.I.

24A.-(1) This Article applies where an application is made to a person under Article 25(6)(a) for leave to appeal from a decision of an appeal tribunal.

If the person who constituted, or was the chairman of, the appeal tribunal considers that the decision was erroneous in point of law, he may set aside the decision and refer the case either for redetermination by the tribunal or for determination by a differently constituted tribunal.

If each of the principal parties to the case expresses the view that the decision was erroneous in point of law, the person shall set aside the decision and refer the case for determination by a differently constituted tribunal.

The "principal parties" are-

(a)the Department; and

(b)those who are qualifying persons for the purposes of Article 22(2) in relation to the decision in question.]

Appeal to Child Support CommissionerN.I.

25.-(1) Any person who is aggrieved by a decision of[F64 an appeal tribunal, and the Department], may appeal to a Child Support Commissioner on a question of law.

Para. (1A) rep. by 1998 NI 10

(2) Where, on an appeal under this Article, 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 paragraph (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[F64 the 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

[F65(c)on an appeal by the Department, refer the case to[F64 an appeal tribunal] with directions for its determination; or

(d)on any other appeal, refer the case to[F64 the Department] or, if he considers it appropriate, to[F64 an appeal tribunal] with directions for its determination.]

The reference under paragraph (3) to the Department shall, subject to any direction of the Child Support Commissioner, be to an officer of the Department, or to a person providing it with services, who has taken no part in the decision originally appealed against.]

On a reference under paragraph (3) to[F64 an 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 Article without the leave-

(a)of the person[F64 who constituted, or was the chairman, of the appeal tribunal] when the decision appealed against was given or of[F64 such other person] 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 Article are to be brought and applications for leave under this Article are to be made.

(8) Where a question which would otherwise fall to be determined by[F64 the Department] 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[F64 the Department].

Appeal from Child Support Commissioner on question of lawN.I.

26.-(1) An appeal on a question of law shall lie to the Court of Appeal 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 Court of Appeal.

(3) An application for leave to appeal under this Article 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 Department; or

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

(4) In this Article "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 Article; and

(b)the procedure for dealing with such applications.

Disputes about parentageN.I.

27.-(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 madeF66 ( "the alleged parent") denies that he is one of the child's parents,[F67 the Department] 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 paragraph (2).

(2) The Cases are-

[F68CASE A1N.I.

• Where-

  (a)

  the child is habitually resident in Northern Ireland;

  (b)

  the Department is satisfied that the alleged parent was married to the child's mother at some time in the period beginning with the conception and ending with the birth of the child; and

  (c)

  the child has not been adopted.

CASE A2N.I.

• Where-

  (a)

  the child is habitually resident in Northern Ireland;

  (b)

  the alleged parent has been registered as the father of the child under Article 14 or 18(1)(b)(ii) of the Births and Deaths Registration (Northern Ireland) Order 1976, or under section 10 or 10A of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953, or in any register kept under section 13 or 44 of the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act 1965; and

  (c)

  the child has not subsequently been adopted.

CASE A3N.I.

• Where the result of a scientific test (within the meaning of Article 27A) taken by the alleged parent would be relevant to determining the child's parentage, and the alleged parent-

  (a)

  refuses to take such a test; or

  (b)

  has submitted to such a test, and it shows that there is no reasonable doubt that the alleged parent is a parent of the child.F69

CASE AN.I.

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

CASE BN.I.

• Where the alleged parent is a parent of the child in question by virtue of an order under section 30 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990F70 (parental orders in favour of gamete donors).

[F68CASE B1N.I.

• Where the Department is satisfied that the alleged parent is a parent of the child in question by virtue of section 27 or 28 of that Act (meaning of "mother" and of "father" respectively).F71

CASE CN.I.

• Where-

  (a)

  either-

  (a)

  (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[F72 Article[F73 31B or] 32 of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 or] section 56 of the Family Law Act 1986F74 (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 DN.I.

• 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 Article 28; and

  (b)

  the child has not subsequently been adopted.

CASE EN.I.

In this Article-

"adopted" means adopted within the meaning of Part V of the Adoption (Northern Ireland) Order 1987F77; and

"affiliation proceedings", in relation to Scotland, means any action of affiliation and aliment.

[F78Recovery of fees for scientific testsN.I.

27A.-(1) This Article applies in any case where-

(a)an application for a maintenance assessment has been madeF79 or a maintenance assessment is in force;

(b)scientific tests have been carried out (otherwise than under a direction) in relation to bodily samples obtained from a person who is alleged to be a parent of a child with respect to whom the application or assessment is made;

(c)the results of the tests do not exclude the alleged parent from being one of the child's parents; and

(d)one of the conditions set out in paragraph (2) is satisfied.

The conditions are that-

(a)the alleged parent does not deny that he is one of the child's parents; or

(b)in proceedings under[F80 Article 31B of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Order 1989], a court has made a declaration that the alleged parent is a parent of the child in question.

In any case to which this Article applies, any fee paid by the Department in connection with scientific tests may be recovered by it from the alleged parent as a debt due to the Crown.

In this Article-

"bodily sample" means a sample of bodily fluid or bodily tissue taken for the purpose of scientific tests;

"direction" means a direction given by a court under Article 8 of the Family Law Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 1977F81 (tests to determine paternity); and

"scientific tests" means scientific tests made with the object of ascertaining the inheritable characteristics of bodily fluids or bodily tissue.

Any sum recovered by the Department under this Article shall be paid by the Department into the Consolidated Fund.]

[F82Applications for declaration of parentage under Matrimonial and Family Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Order 1989N.I.

28.-(1) This Article applies where-

(a)an application for a maintenance calculation has been made (or is treated as having been made), or a maintenance calculation is in force, with respect to a person ( "the alleged parent") who denies that he is a parent of a child with respect to whom the application or calculation was made or treated as made;

(b)the Department is not satisfied that the case falls within one of those set out in Article 27(2); and

(c)the Department or the person with care makes an application for a declaration under Article 31B of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 as to whether or not the alleged parent is one of the child's parents.

Where this Article applies-

(a)if it is the person with care who makes the application, that person shall be treated as having a sufficient personal interest for the purposes of paragraph (3) of that Article; and

(b)if it is the Department which makes the application, that paragraph shall not apply.]

[F83Decisions and appeals dependent on other casesN.I.

Decisions involving issues that arise on appeal in other casesN.I.

28ZA.-(1) This Article applies where-

(a)a decision by the Department falls to be made under Article 13, 14, 18 or 19F84 in relation to a maintenance assessment; and

(b)an appeal is pending against a decision given in relation to a different maintenance assessment by a Child Support Commissioner or a court.

If the Department considers it possible that the result of the appeal will be such that, if it were already determined, it would affect the decision in some way-

(a)the Department need not, except in such cases or circumstances as may be prescribed, make the decision while the appeal is pending;

(b)the Department may, in such cases or circumstances as may be prescribed, make the decision on such basis as may be prescribed.

Where the Department acts in accordance with paragraph (2)(b), following the determination of the appeal it shall, if appropriate, revise its decision (under Article 18) in accordance with that determination.

For the purposes of this Article, an appeal against a decision is pending if-

(a)an appeal against the decision has been brought but not determined;

(b)an application for leave to appeal against the decision has been made but not determined; or

(c)in such circumstances as may be prescribed, an appeal against the decision has not been brought (or, as the case may be, an application for leave to appeal against the decision has not been made) but the time for doing so has not yet expired.

In sub-paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of paragraph (4), any reference to an appeal, or to an application for leave to appeal, against a decision includes a reference to an application for, or for leave to apply for, judicial review of the decision under section 18 of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978.

Appeals involving issues that arise on appeal in other casesN.I.

28ZB.-(1) This Article applies where-

F85(a)an appeal ( "appeal A") in relation to a decision falling within Article 22(1) or (3), or an assessment falling within Article 22(2), is made to an appeal tribunal, or from an appeal tribunal to a Child Support Commissioner; and

(b)an appeal ( "appeal B") is pending against a decision given in a different case by a Child Support Commissioner or a court.

If the Department considers it possible that the result of appeal B will be such that, if it were already determined, it would affect the determination of appeal A, the Department may serve notice requiring the tribunal or Child Support Commissioner-

(a)not to determine appeal A but to refer it to the Department; or

(b)to deal with the appeal in accordance with paragraph (4).

Where appeal A is referred to the Department under paragraph (2)(a), following the determination of appeal B and in accordance with that determination, the Department shall if appropriate-

(a)in a case where appeal A has not been determined by the tribunal, revise (under Article 18) its decision which gave rise to that appeal; or

(b)in a case where appeal A has been determined by the tribunal, make a decision (under Article 19) superseding the tribunal's decision.

Where appeal A is to be dealt with in accordance with this paragraph, the appeal tribunal or Child Support Commissioner shall either-

(a)stay appeal A until appeal B is determined; or

(b)if the tribunal or Child Support Commissioner considers it to be in the interests of the appellant to do so, determine appeal A as if-

(i)appeal B had already been determined; and

(ii)the issues arising on appeal B had been decided in the way that was most unfavourable to the appellant.

In this paragraph "the appellant" means the person who appealed or, as the case may be, first appealed against the decision or assessment mentioned in paragraph (1)(a).

Where the appeal tribunal or Child Support Commissioner acts in accordance with paragraph (4)(b), following the determination of appeal B the Department shall, if appropriate, make a decision (under Article 19) superseding the decision of the tribunal or Child Support Commissioner in accordance with that determination.

For the purposes of this Article, an appeal against a decision is pending if-

(a)an appeal against the decision has been brought but not determined;

(b)an application for leave to appeal against the decision has been made but not determined; or

(c)in such circumstances as may be prescribed, an appeal against the decision has not been brought (or, as the case may be, an application for leave to appeal against the decision has not been made) but the time for doing so has not yet expired.

In this Article-

(a)the reference in paragraph (1)(a) to an appeal to a Child Support Commissioner includes a reference to an application for leave to appeal to a Child Support Commissioner; and

(b)any reference in sub-paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of paragraph (6) to an appeal, or to an application for leave to appeal, against a decision includes a reference to an application for, or for leave to apply for, judicial review of the decision under section 18 of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978.

Regulations may make provision supplementing that made by this Article.F86

[F83Cases of errorN.I.

Restrictions on liability in certain cases of errorN.I.

28ZC.-(1) Subject to paragraph (2), this Article applies where-

(a)the effect of the determination, whenever made, of an appeal to a Child Support Commissioner or the court ( "the relevant determination") is that the adjudicating authority's decision out of which the appeal arose was erroneous in point of law; and

(b)after the date of the relevant determination a decision falls to be made by the Department in accordance with that determination (or would, apart from this Article, fall to be so made)-

(i)with respect to an application for a maintenance assessment (made after the commencement date)F87;

(ii)as to whether to revise, under Article 18,F88 a decision (made after the commencement date) with respect to such an assessment; or

(iii)on an application under Article 19 (made after the commencement date) for a decision with respect to such an assessment to be superseded.

This Article does not apply where the decision of the Department mentioned in paragraph (1)(b)-

(a)is one which, but for Article 28ZA(2)(a), would have been made before the date of the relevant determination; or

(b)is one made in pursuance of Article 28ZB(3) or (5).

In so far as the decision relates to a person's liabilityF89 in respect of a period before the date of the relevant determination, it shall be made as if the adjudicating authority's decision had been found by the Commissioner or court not to have been erroneous in point of law.

Paragraph (1)(a) shall be read as including a case where-

(a)the effect of the relevant determination is that part or all of a purported regulation or order is invalid; and

(b)the error of law made by the adjudicating authority was to act on the basis that the purported regulation or order (or the part held to be invalid) was valid.

It is immaterial for the purposes of paragraph (1)-

(a)where such a decision as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (b)(i) falls to be made; or

(b)where such a decision as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (b)(ii) or (iii) falls to be made on an application under Article 18 or (as the case may be) Article 19,

whether the application was made before or after the date of the relevant determination.

In this Article-

"adjudicating authority" means the Department or a child support officer;

"the commencement date" means the date of the coming into operation of Article 44 of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998;

"the court" means the High Court, the Court of Appeal, the Court of Session, the High Court or Court of Appeal in England and Wales, theF90 House of Lords or the Court of Justice of the European Community.

The date of the relevant determination shall, in prescribed cases, be determined for the purposes of this Article in accordance with any regulations made for that purpose.

Regulations made under paragraph (7) may include provision-

(a)for a determination of a higher court to be treated as if it had been made on the date of a determination of a lower court or a Child Support Commissioner; or

(b)for a determination of a lower court or a Child Support Commissioner to be treated as if it had been made on the date of a determination of a higher court.

Correction of errors and setting aside of decisionsN.I.

28ZD.-(1) Regulations may make provision with respect to-

(a)the correction of accidental errors in any decision or record of a decision given under this Order; and

(b)the setting aside of any such decision in a case where it appears just to set the decision aside on the ground that-

(i)a document relating to the proceedings in which the decision was given was not sent to, or was not received at an appropriate time by, a party to the proceedings or a party's representative or was not received at an appropriate time by the person who gave the decision; or

(ii)a party to the proceedings or a party's representative was not present at a hearing related to the proceedings.

Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed as derogating from any power to correct errors or set aside decisions which is exercisable apart from regulations made by virtue of that paragraph.F91

[F92Departure from usual rules for determining maintenance assessmentsN.I.

F93F94Application for a departure directionN.I.

28A.-(1) Where a maintenance assessment ( "the current assessment") is in force, the person with care, or absent parent, with respect to whom it was made may apply to the Department for a direction under Article 28F (a "departure direction").

An application for a departure direction shall state in writing the grounds on which it is made and shall, in particular, state whether it is based on-

(a)the effect of the current assessment; or

(b)a material change in the circumstances of the case since the current assessment was made.

In other respects, an application for a departure direction shall be made in such manner as may be prescribed.

An application may be made under this Article even though an application has been made under Article 18(1) or 19(1) with respect to the current assessment.]

If the Department considers it appropriate to do so, the Department may by regulations provide for the question whether a change of circumstances is material to be determined in accordance with the regulations.

Schedule 4A shall have effect in relation to departure directions.

F96F97Preliminary consideration of applicationsN.I.

28B.-(1) Where an application for a departure direction has been duly made to the Department, it may give the application a preliminary consideration.

Where the Department does so the Department may, on completing the preliminary consideration, reject the application if it appears to the Department-

(a)that there are no grounds on which a departure direction could be given in response to the application; or

(b)that the difference between the current amount and the revised amount is less than an amount to be calculated in accordance with regulations made by the Department for the purposes of this paragraph and Article 28F(4).

In paragraph (2)-

"the current amount" means the amount of the child support maintenance fixed by the current assessment; and

"the revised amount" means the amount of child support maintenance which, but for paragraph (2)(b), would be fixed if a fresh maintenance assessment were to be made as a result of a departure direction allowing the departure applied for.

Paras. (4), (5) rep. by 1998 NI 10

Where a decision as to a maintenance assessment is revised or superseded under Article 18 or 19, the Department-

(a)shall notify the applicant and such other persons as may be prescribed that the decision has been revised or superseded; and

(b)may direct that the application is to lapse unless, before the end of such period as may be prescribed, the applicant notifies the Department that he wishes it to stand.]

F99F100Imposition of a regular payments conditionN.I.

28C.-(1) Where an application for a departure direction is made by an absent parent, the Department may impose on him one of the conditions mentioned in paragraph (2) ( "a regular payments condition").

The conditions are that-

(a)the applicant must make the payments of child support maintenance fixed by the current assessment;

(b)the applicant must make such reduced payments of child support maintenance as may be determined in accordance with regulations made by the Department.

Where the Department imposes a regular payments condition, the Department shall give written notice to the absent parent and person with care concerned of the imposition of the condition and of the effect of failure to comply with it.

A regular payments conditions shall cease to have effect on the failure or determination of the application.

For the purposes of paragraph (4), an application for a departure direction fails if-

(a)it lapses or is withdrawn; or

(b)the Department rejects if on completing a preliminary consideration under Article 28B.

Where an absent parent has failed to comply with a regular payments condition-

(a)the Department may refuse to consider the application; and

(b)in prescribed circumstances the application shall lapse.

The question whether an absent parent has failed to comply with a regular payments condition shall be determined by the Department.

Where the Department determines that an absent parent has failed to comply with a regular payments condition the Department shall give that parent, and the person with care, concerned, written notice of its decision.

Determination of applicationsN.I.

28D.-F101(1) Where an application for a departure direction has not failed, the Department shall-

F102(a)determine the application in accordance with the relevant provisions of, or made under, this Order; or

(b)refer the application to[F103 an appeal tribunal] for the tribunal to determine it in accordance with those provisions.

For the purposes of paragraph (1), an application for aF104 departure direction has failed if-

(a)it hasF105 lapsed or been withdrawn; or

(b)the Department has rejected it on completing a preliminary consideration under Article 28BF106.

In dealing with an application for a departure direction which has been referred to it under paragraph (1)(b),[F103 an appeal tribunal] shall have the same powers, and be subject to the same duties, as would the Department if it were dealing with the application.

Matters to be taken into accountN.I.

28E.-(1) In determiningF108 any application for a departure direction, the Department shall have regard both to the general principles set out in paragraph (2) and to such other considerations as may be prescribed.

The general principles are that-

(a)parents should be responsible for maintaining their children whenever they can afford to do so;

(b)where a parent has more than one child, his obligation to maintain any one of them should be no less of an obligation than his obligation to maintain any other of them.

In determining any application for a departure direction, the Department shall take into account any representations made to it by the person with care or absent parent concerned.

In determining any application for a departure direction, no account shall be taken of the fact that-

(a)any part of the income of the person with care concerned is, or would be if a departure direction were made, derived from any benefit; or

(b)some or all of any child support maintenance might be taken into account in any manner in relation to any entitlement to benefit.

In this Article "benefit" has such meaning as may be prescribed.

F109F110Departure directionsN.I.

28F.-(1) The Department may give a departure direction if-

(a)the Department is satisfied that the case is one which falls within one or more of the cases set out in Part I of Schedule 4B or in regulations made under that Part; and

(b)it is the Department's opinion that, in all the circumstances of the case, it would be just and equitable to give a departure direction.

In considering whether it would be just and equitable in any case to give a departure direction, the Department shall have regard, in particular, to-

(a)the financial circumstances of the absent parent concerned,

(b)the financial circumstances of the person with care concerned, and

(c)the welfare of any child likely to be affected by the direction.

The Department may by regulations make provision-

(a)for factors which are to be taken into account in determining whether it would be just and equitable to give a departure direction in any case;

(b)for factors which are not to be taken into account in determining such a question.

The Department shall not give a departure direction if it is satisfied that the difference between the current amount and the revised amount is less than an amount to be calculated in accordance with regulations made by the Department for the purposes of this paragraph and Article 28B(2).

In paragraph (4)-

"the current amount" means the amount of the child support maintenance fixed by the current assessment, and

"the revised amount" means the amount of child support maintenance which would be fixed if a fresh maintenance assessment were to be made as a result of the departure direction which the Department would give in response to the application but for paragraph (4).

A departure direction shall-

(a)require[F111 the making of] one or more fresh maintenance assessments; and

(b)specify the basis on which the amount of child support maintenance is to be fixed by any assessment made in consequence of the direction.

In giving a departure direction, the Department shall comply with the provisions of regulations made under Part II of Schedule 4B.

Before the end of such period as may be prescribed, the Department shall notify the applicant for a departure direction, and such other persons as may be prescribed-

(a)of its decision in relation to the application, and

(b)of the reasons for its decision.

F112Effect and duration of departure directionsN.I.

A departure direction may be given so as to have effect-

(a)for a specified period; or

(b)until the occurrence of a specified event.

The Department may by regulations make provision for the cancellation of a departure direction in prescribed circumstances.

The Department may by regulations make provision as to when a departure direction is to take effect.

Regulations under paragraph (4) may provide for a departure direction to have effect from a date earlier than that on which the direction is given.

[F113F114Departure directions: decisions and appealsN.I.

Schedule 4C shall have effect for applying Articles 18, 19, 22 and 28ZA to 28ZC to decisions with respect to departure directions.]

F115Transitional provisionsN.I.

28I.-F116(1) In the case of an application for a departure direction relating to a maintenance assessment which was made before the coming into operation of Article 28A the period within which the application must be made shall be such period as may be prescribed.

The Department may by regulations make provision for applications for departure directions to be dealt with according to an order determined in accordance with the regulations.

The regulations may, for example, provide for-

(a)applications relating to prescribed descriptions of maintenance assessment, or

(b)prescribed descriptions of application, to be dealt with before applications relating to other prescribed descriptions of assessment or (as the case may be) other prescribed descriptions of application.

The Department may by regulations make provision-

(a)enabling applications for departure directions made before the coming into operation of Article 28A to be considered even though that Article is not in operation;

(b)for the determination of any such application as if Article 28A and the other provisions of this Order relating to departure directions were in operation; and

(c)as to the effect of any departure direction given before the coming into operation of Article 28A.

Regulations under Article 28G(4) may not provide for a departure direction to have effect from a date earlier than that on which that Article came into operation.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F117F118N.I.

Collection and enforcementN.I.

Collection of child support maintenanceN.I.

29.-(1) The Department 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 Article 9; or

(b)an application has been made to the Department under Article 7(2) for the Department to arrange for its collection.

Where a maintenance assessment is made under this Order, payments of child support maintenance under the assessment shall be made in accordance with regulations made by the Department.

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 Department; or

(iii)to, or through, such other person as the Department may 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 Department or any other person, in accordance with the regulations;

(e)empowering the Department 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.

Collection and enforcement of other forms of maintenanceN.I.

30.-(1) Where the Department is arranging for the collection of any payments under Article 29 or paragraph (2), it 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.

The Department may, except in prescribed cases, 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 the Department is not arranging for the collection of child support maintenance with respect to that child.]

Where-

(a)the Department is arranging, under this Order, for the collection of different payments ( "the payments") from the same absent parent;

(b)an amount is collected by the Department 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 Department as between payments,

the Department may allocate that amount as it sees fit.

The Department may by regulations make provision for Articles 29 and 31 to 37 to apply, with such modifications (if any) as it considers necessary or expedient, for the purpose of enabling it to enforce any obligation to pay any amount which it is authorised to collect under this Article.

F120Deduction from earnings ordersN.I.

31.-(1) This Article applies where any person ( "the liable person") is liable to make payments of child support maintenance.

The Department 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.

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.

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.

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 Department.

The Department shall serve a copy of any deduction from earnings order which it makes under this Article on-

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

(b)the liable person.

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.

In this Article and in Article 32 "earnings" has such meaning as may be prescribed.

Regulations about deduction from earnings ordersN.I.

32.-(1) The Department may by regulations make provision with respect to deduction from earnings orders.

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;

F121(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 Department;

(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 Department 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 Article 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 Department to the employer concerned that an order has lapsed or has ceased to have effect.

The regulations may include provision that while a deduction from earnings order is in force-

(a)the liable person shall notify the Department, 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 Department, 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.

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 statutory provision which provides for deductions from the liable person's earnings.

The regulations may include a provision that a liable person may appeal to a court of summary jurisdiction 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.

On an appeal under paragraph (5) the court shall not question the maintenance assessment by reference to which the deduction from earnings order was made.

Regulations made by virtue of paragraph (5) may include provision as to the powers of a court of summary jurisdiction 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).

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

In paragraph (8) "designated" means designated by the regulations.

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

Any person guilty of an offence under paragraph (8) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.

Liability ordersN.I.

33.-(1) This Article 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 Department 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.

The Department may apply to a court of summary jurisdiction for an order ( "a liability order") against the liable person.

Where the Department applies for a liability order, the court of summary jurisdiction shall make the order if satisfied that the payments in question have become payable by the liable person and have not been paid.

On an application under paragraph (2), the court shall not question the maintenance assessment under which the payments of child support maintenance fell to be made.

Where regulations have been made under Article 29(3)(a)-

(a)the liable person fails to make a payment (for the purposes of paragraph (1)(a)); and

(b)a payment is not paid (for the purposes of paragraph (3)),

unless the payment is made to, or through, the person specified in or by virtue of those regulations for the case of the liable person in question.]

Regulations about liability ordersN.I.

34.-(1) The Department may make regulations-

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

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

(c)providing that where a court of summary jurisdiction 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 Department.

In paragraph (1) "relevant information" means any information of a prescribed description which is in the possession of the liable person and which the Department has asked him to supply.

Enforcement of liability ordersN.I.

35.-(1) Where a liability order has been made against a person ( "the liable person")-

(a)the order shall be enforceable by the Enforcement of Judgments Office on an application to it by the Department; and

(b)the Judgments Enforcement (Northern Ireland) Order 1981F123 ( "the Order of 1981") shall apply in relation to the amount in respect of which the order was made, to the extent that it remains unpaid, as a money judgment, but subject to paragraphs (2) and (3).

Without prejudice to Article 141 of the Order of 1981(power to make Judgment Enforcement Rules), the Departmentmay, with the consent of the Lord Chancellor, make such regulations with respect to the enforcement of liability orders by the Enforcement of Judgments Office as it considers appropriate.

Regulations made under paragraph (2) may, in particular, provide for the modification of any provision made by or under the Order of 1981 in its application to liability orders.

In paragraph (3) "modification" includes the making of additions, omissions or amendments.

Enforcement in Northern Ireland of English and Scottish liability ordersN.I.

36.-(1) The Department may by regulations make provision for, or in connection with, the enforcement in Northern Ireland of-

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

(b)any liability order made by the sheriff in Scotland,

as if it had been made by a court of summary jurisdiction in Northern Ireland.

Regulations under paragraph (1) may, in particular, make provision for the registration of any such order as is referred to in that paragraph in connection with its enforcement in Northern Ireland.

[F124Commitment to prison and disqualification from drivingN.I.

36A.-(1) Where the Department has sought to recover an amount by virtue of Article 35 and that amount, or any portion of it, remains unpaid, the Department may apply to the court under this Article.

An application under this Article is for whichever the court considers appropriate in all the circumstances of-

(a)the issue of a warrant committing the liable person to prison; or

(b)an order for him to be disqualified for holding or obtaining a driving licence.

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

(a)whether he needs a driving licence to earn his living;

(b)his means; and

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

The Department may make representations to the court as to whether the Department thinks it more appropriate to commit the liable person to prison or to disqualify him for holding or obtaining a driving licence; and the liable person may reply to those representations.

In this Article and Article 37A, "driving licence" means a licence to drive a motor vehicle granted under Part II of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981.

In this Article and Articles 37 and 37A, "the court" means a court of summary jurisdiction.]

Commitment to prisonN.I.

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.

Any such warrant-

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

(i)the amount in respect of which the liability order was made or so much of that amount as remains outstanding; and

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

(b)shall state that amount.

No warrant may be issued under this Article against a person who is under the age of 18.

A warrant issued under this Article 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.

The maximum period of imprisonment which may be imposed by virtue of paragraph (6) shall be calculated in accordance with Schedule 3 to the Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981F125 (maximum periods of imprisonment in default of payment) but shall not exceed six weeks.

The Department may by regulations make provision for the period of imprisonment specified in any warrant issued under this Article to be reduced where there is part payment of the amount in respect of which the warrant was issued.

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

Article 110 of the Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (application of money found on defaulter) shall apply in relation to a warrant issued under this Article against a liable person as it applies in relation to the enforcement of a sum mentioned in paragraph (1) of that Article.

The Department may by regulations make provision-

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

(b)allowing an application under this Article 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 court of summary jurisdiction 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.

[F126Disqualification from driving: further provisionN.I.

37A.-(1) 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)order him to be disqualified, for such period specified in the order but not exceeding two years as it thinks fit, for holding or obtaining a driving licence (a "disqualification order"); or

(b)make a disqualification order but suspend its operation until such time and on such conditions (if any) as it thinks just.

The court may not take action under both Article 37 and this Article.

A disqualification order shall state the amount in respect of which it is made, which shall be the aggregate of-

(a)the amount in respect of which the liability order was made or so much of that amount as remains outstanding; and

(b)an amount (determined in accordance with regulations made by the Department) in respect of the costs of the application under Article 36A.

A court which makes a disqualification order shall require the person to whom it relates to produce any driving licence held by him, and its counterpart (within the meaning of Part II of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981).

On an application by the Department or the liable person, the court-

(a)may make an order substituting a shorter period of disqualification, or make an order revoking the disqualification order, if part of the amount referred to in paragraph (3) (the "amount due") is paid to any person authorised to receive it; and

(b)shall make an order revoking the disqualification order if all of the amount due is so paid.

The Department may make representations to the court as to the amount which should be paid before it would be appropriate to make an order revoking the disqualification order under paragraph (5)(a), and the liable person may reply to those representations.

The Department may make a further application under Article 36A if the amount due has not been paid in full when the period of disqualification specified in the disqualification order expires.

Where a court-

(a)makes a disqualification order;

(b)makes an order under paragraph (5); or

(c)allows an appeal against a disqualification order,

it shall send notice of that fact to the Department; and the notice shall contain such particulars and be sent in such manner and to such address as the Department may determine.

Where a court makes a disqualification order, it shall also send the driving licence and its counterpart, on their being produced to the court, to the Department at such address as the Department may determine.

Article 110 of the Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (application of sums found upon defaulter) shall apply in relation to a disqualification order under this Article in relation to a liable person as it applies in relation to the enforcement of a sum mentioned in paragraph (1) of that Article.

The Department may by regulations make provision in relation to disqualification orders corresponding to the provision it may make under Article 37(11).]

Arrears of child support maintenanceN.I.

38.-(1) This Article applies where-

(a)the Department is authorised under Article 7 or 9 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.

Where the Department recovers any such arrears it may, in such circumstances as may be prescribed and to such extent as may be prescribed, retain them if it is satisfied that the amount of any benefit paid to or in respect of the person with care of the child or children in question would have been less had the absent parent made the payment or payments of child support maintenance in question.

In determining for the purposes of paragraph (2) whether the amount of any benefit paid would have been less at any time than the amount which was paid at that time, in a case where the maintenance assessment had affect from a date earlier than that on which it was made, the assessment shall be taken to have been in force at that time.]

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.

The Department may by regulations make provision-

(a)as to the rate of interest payable by virtue of paragraph (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 Department has been acting under Article 9, any such interest may be retained by it;

(d)for the Department, in a case where it has been acting under Article 9 and in such circumstances as may be prescribed, to waive any such interest (or part of any such interest).

The provisions of this Order 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 Article.

Any sums retained by the Department by virtue of this Article shall be paid by it into the Consolidated Fund.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F129F130N.I.

[F131Repayment of overpaid child support maintenanceN.I.

38B.-(1) This Article applies where it appears to the Department that an absent parent has made a payment by way of child support maintenance which amounts to an overpayment by him of that maintenance and that-

(a)it would not be possible for the absent parent to recover the amount of overpayment by way of an adjustment of the amount payable under a maintenance assessment; or

(b)it would be inappropriate to rely on an adjustment of the amount payable under a maintenance assessment as the means of enabling the absent parent to recover the amount of the overpayment.

The Department may make such payment to the absent parent by way of reimbursement, or partial reimbursement, of the overpayment as the Department considers appropriate.

Where the Department has made a payment under this Article the Department may, in such circumstances as may be prescribed, require the relevant person to pay to it the whole, or a specified proportion, of the amount of that payment.

Any such requirement shall be imposed by giving the relevant person a written demand for the amount which the Department wishes to recover from him.

Any sum which a person is required to pay to the Department under this Article shall be recoverable from him by the Department as a debt due to the Crown.

The Department may by regulations make provision in relation to any case in which-

(a)one or more overpayments of child support maintenance are being reimbursed to the Department by the relevant person; and

(b)child support maintenance has continued to be payable by the absent parent concerned to the person with care concerned, or again becomes so payable.

For the purposes of this Article any payments made by a person under a maintenance assessment which was not validly made shall be treated as overpayment of child support maintenance made by an absent parent.

In this Article "relevant person", in relation to an overpayment, means the person with care to whom the overpayment was made.

Any sum recovered by the Department under this Article shall be paid by the Department into the Consolidated Fund.]

Special casesN.I.

Special casesN.I.

39.-(1) The Department may by regulations provide that in prescribed circumstances a case is to be treated as a special case for the purposes of this Order.

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.

The Department may by regulations make provision with respect to special cases.

Regulations made under paragraph (3) may, in particular-

(a)modify any provision made by or under this Order, 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 Order not to apply to any such case.

F134Contribution to maintenance by deduction from benefitN.I.

40.-(1) This Article 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 Article are satisfied.

The power of the Department to make regulations under Article 52 of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1986F135 by virtue of paragraph (1)(q) (deductions from benefits) may be exercised in relation to cases to which this Article 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.

Schedule 4C shall have effect for applying Articles 18, 19, 22 and 28ZA to 28ZC to any decision with respect to a person's liability under this Article, that is to say, his liability to make payments under regulations made by virtue of this Article.]

JurisdictionN.I.

JurisdictionN.I.

41.-(1) [F137The Department] 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[F138, except in the case of a non-resident parent who falls within paragraph (2A)].

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

A non-resident parent falls within this paragraph if he is not habitually resident in the United Kingdom, but is-

(a)employed in the civil service of the Crown, including Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service and Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service;

(b)a member of the naval, military or air forces of the Crown, including any person employed by an association established for the purposes of Part XI of the Reserve Forces Act 1996;

(c)employed by a company of a prescribed description registered under the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 or under the Companies Act 1985 in England and Wales or in Scotland; or

(d)employed by a body of a prescribed description.]

The Department 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 paragraph (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.

Jurisdiction of courts in certain proceedings under this OrderN.I.

42.-(1) The Lord Chancellor may[F140, after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice,] 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[F141 an appeal tribunal]; or

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

In paragraph (1) "court" means[F142, subject to any provision made under Schedule 7 to the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995,] the High Court, a county court or a court of summary jurisdiction.

Where the effect of any order under paragraph (1) is that there are no longer any appeals which fall to be dealt with by[F141 appeal tribunals], the Lord Chancellor may[F143, after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice,] by order provide for the abolition of those tribunals.