Section 33: Extinction of liability in respect of interest and fees
This section provides for the write off of outstanding liability in respect of interest and fees. Regulations under the Child Support (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 made in 1992 introduced changes which meant that interest could be charged on arrears of maintenance, and that fees could be charged to parents using the Department collection service. These regulations were repealed in 2001, and debt which built up as a result of parents not paying interest or fees will be extinguished.
Paragraph (a) provides that debt which accrued from interest charged under the Child Support (Arrears, Interest and Adjustment of Maintenance Assessments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992 will be extinguished.
Paragraph (b) provides that debt which resulted from unpaid fees charged to parents under the Child Support Fees Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993 will be extinguished.
