Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2016

5.—(1) If a debtor in relation to whom an attachment of earnings order is in force leaves an employment, or becomes employed or re-employed, the debtor must notify the collection officer in writing within seven days of doing so.

(2) If the debtor becomes employed or re-employed, the notification under sub-paragraph (1) must specify the earnings or expected earnings from the employment in question.

(3) A person who becomes an employer of the debtor and knows that an attachment of earnings order is in force in relation to the debtor must, within seven days of becoming the debtor’s employer or of acquiring the knowledge (whichever is later), notify the collection officer that the person is employing the debtor.

(4) A notification under sub-paragraph (3) must state the debtor’s earnings and expected earnings from the employment.

(5) A person commits an offence if the person fails, without reasonable excuse, to provide a notification required under sub-paragraph (1) or (3).

(6) A person commits an offence if, in providing a notification required under sub-paragraph (1) or (3), the person—

(a) provides information which the person knows to be false in a material particular,

(b) recklessly provides information which is false in a material particular, or

(c) knowingly fails to disclose a material fact.