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The basic principlesN.I.

Relationship between maintenance [F1assessments] [F2calculations] 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 [F3maintenance assessment] [F4maintenance calculation] 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 [F5maintenance assessment] [F6maintenance calculation] 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 [F7maintenance assessment] [F8maintenance calculation] 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 [F9maintenance assessment] [F10maintenance calculation],

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[F11 the Department] to the prescribed person in any case where[F11 it] considers that the making of a [F12maintenance assessment] [F13maintenance calculation] 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 [F14maintenance assessment] [F15maintenance calculation].

(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[F11 an officer of the Department], as to whether or not, at the time when the statement is made, there is a [F16maintenance assessment] [F17maintenance calculation] in force with respect to that person or the child concerned.

(6) In paragraph (5)—

F1Word in art. 12 heading substituted (3.3.2003 for certain purposes otherwise prosp.) by Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 (c. 4), ss. 1(2)(b), 68(2); S.R. 2003/53, art. 3(1), Sch.

F2Word in art. 12 heading substituted (3.3.2003 for certain purposes otherwise prosp.) by Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 (c. 4), ss. 1(2)(b), 68(2); S.R. 2003/53, art. 3(1), Sch.