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The Child Support (Northern Ireland) Order 1991
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There are outstanding changes not yet made by the legislation.gov.uk editorial team to The Child Support (Northern Ireland) Order 1991. Any changes that have already been made by the team appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
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Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Changes and effects yet to be applied to Article 38:
- art. 38(1)(a) words repealed by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) Sch. 5
- art. 38(4)(c) (d) repealed by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) Sch. 4 para. 1(29)(a)
Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Order associated Parts and Chapters:
- Order applied by S.R. 2014/191 reg. 7(1)
- Order applied in part (with modifications) by S.R. 2010/312 reg. 16 Sch. 2
- Order power to apply (with modifications) conferred by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) s. 3(4)
- Order transfer of functions by S.I. 2010/976 Sch. 17 para. 42
- Order words substituted by 2009 c. 1 (N.I.) Sch. 6 para. 1(1)(a)
- Order words substituted by 2009 c. 1 (N.I.) Sch. 6 para. 1(1)(b)
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Order (including any effects on those provisions):
- Sch. 1 para. 9(1) Sch. 1 para. 9 renumbered as Sch. 1 para. 9(1) by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) Sch. 1 para. 8(1)
- Sch. 1 para. 9(2) added by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) Sch. 1 para. 8(4)
- Sch. 1 para. 5A and cross-heading inserted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) Sch. 1 para. 5(2)
- Sch. 1 para. 9(1)(ba) inserted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) Sch. 1 para. 8(3)
- Sch. 1 para. 9(1)(za) inserted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) Sch. 1 para. 8(2)
- Sch. 1 para. 5A(2) modified by S.R. 2012/428 reg. 3
- Sch. 1 para. 5A(2) modified by S.R. 2013/190 reg. 2
- Sch. 1 Pt. 1 words substituted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) Sch. 1 para. 2
- Sch. 1 Pt. 1 para. 10C(5A) omitted by S.I. 2019/1514 reg. 64(5)(b)
- Sch. 1 Pt. 1 para. 10C(5) substituted for Sch. 1 Pt. 1 para. 10C(5)(6) by S.I. 2019/1514 reg. 64(4)
- Sch. 1 Pt. 1 para. 6(5)(b)(i)(ii) substituted for Sch. 1 Pt. 1 para. 6(5)(b)(i)-(iii) by S.I. 2019/1514 reg. 64(5)(a)
- Sch. 1 Pt. 1 para. 5(4) words inserted by 2007 c. 2 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 2(8)
- art. 2(3) added by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) Sch. 4 para. 1(3)
- art. 4(4)(ba) inserted by 2022 c. 18 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 16
- art. 7(2A) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 127(2)(b)
- art. 7(3A)-(3C) inserted by 2023 c. 24 s. 4(2)(a)
- art. 7(4)(d) and word inserted by 2023 c. 24 s. 4(2)(b)(ii)
- art. 11(2A) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 126(1)
- art. 11(6)(a)(b) and word repealed by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) Sch. 5
- art. 11A inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 128
- art. 16A(3A) inserted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) s. 27(1)
- art. 16A(3A) substituted by 2010 c. 13 (N.I.) s. 32(2)
- art. 16A(6) added by 2010 c. 13 (N.I.) s. 32(3)
- art. 19(1)(c) repealed by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) Sch. 5
- art. 22(1)(ba) inserted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) Sch. 4 para. 1(5)
- art. 22(2)(aa) inserted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) Sch. 4 para. 1(6)
- art. 22(2A)-(2C) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) Sch. 11 para. 2
- art. 22(3A)-(3C) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) Sch. 11 para. 3
- art. 22(5A) inserted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) Sch. 4 para. 1(7)
- art. 22(7A) inserted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) Sch. 4 para. 1(8)
- art. 27(2)(b) words substituted by S.I. 2019/1514 reg. 64(2)
- art. 27(2)(b) words substituted by S.I. 2019/1514 reg. 64(2)
- art. 28D(2A) (2B) inserted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) s. 10(2)
- art. 28F(4)(a) words repealed by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) Sch. 5
- art. 29(3)(c) (ca) substituted for art. 29(3)(c) by 2010 c. 13 (N.I.) s. 31(2)
- art. 29(3A) inserted by 2010 c. 13 (N.I.) s. 31(3)
- art. 29(4)-(7) added by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) s. 12
- art. 29(4)-(7) excluded by S.R. 2016/390 reg. 6(1)
- art. 31(8) (9) substituted for art. 31(8) by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) s. 13
- art. 32A-32D inserted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) s. 14
- art. 32E-32K inserted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) s. 15
- art. 32G(1) restricted by SR 1992/390 reg. 25N (as inserted) by S.R. 2009/286 reg. 2
- art. 32H(2)(b) restricted by SR 1992/390 reg. 25N (as inserted) by S.R. 2009/286 reg. 2
- art. 32L inserted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) s. 16
- art. 32L(5) words inserted by S.I. 2019/1514 reg. 64(3)
- art. 32M 32N inserted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) s. 17
- art. 36B-36F inserted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) s. 18
- art. 36G-36O inserted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) s. 19
- art. 37(2A)-(2C) inserted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) s. 20(1)
- art. 37(10)-(10C) substituted for art. 37(10) by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) s. 20(2)
- art. 37(12) added by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) Sch. 4 para. 1(14)
- art. 37A(A1)-(A4) (1) substituted for art. 37A(1) by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) s. 21(1)
- art. 37A(10)-(10C) substituted for art. 37A(10) by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) s. 21(2)
- art. 37A(12) added by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) Sch. 4 para. 1(17)
- art. 38A(5)(c) (d) repealed by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) Sch. 4 para. 1(29)(a)
- art. 38C inserted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) s. 22
- art. 38D inserted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) s. 23
- art. 38E inserted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) s. 24
- art. 39(2)(g) added by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) s. 28
- art. 40A inserted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) s. 29
- art. 41(4)(5) inserted by S.I. 2011/1484 Sch. 7 para. 22
- art. 41(4) omitted by S.I. 2019/519 Sch. para. 20(a)
- art. 41(5) omitted by S.I. 2019/519 Sch. para. 20(b)
- art. 45A inserted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) s. 25
- art. 45B 45C inserted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) s. 30
- art. 45D inserted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) s. 31
- art. 46(1A)-(1C) inserted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) Sch. 4 para. 1(19)
- art. 47A inserted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) s. 32
- art. 47A(6) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) Sch. 11 para. 4
- art. 48(2B) inserted by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) Sch. 4 para. 1(22)
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 [F1an absent parent] [F2a non-resident parent] in accordance with a [F3maintenance assessment] [F4maintenance calculation] ; and
(b)the [F5absent parent] [F6non-resident parent] has failed to make one or more payments of child support maintenance due from him in accordance with that [F7assessment] [F8calculation].
[F9(2) 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 [F10absent parent] [F11non-resident parent] made the payment or payments of child support maintenance in question.
(2A) 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 [F12maintenance assessment] [F13maintenance calculation] had affect from a date earlier than that on which it was made, the [F14assessment] [F15calculation] shall be taken to have been in force at that time.]
(3) [F16In such circumstances as may be prescribed, the [F17absent parent] [F18non-resident parent] shall be liable to make such payments of interest with respect to the arrears of child support maintenance as may be prescribed.]
(4) [F19The 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).]
(5) [F20The 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.]
(6) Any sums retained by the Department by virtue of this Article shall be paid by it into the Consolidated Fund.
F1Words in art. 38(1)(a) substituted (3.3.2003 for certain purposes otherwise prosp.) by Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 (c. 4), ss. 25, 68(2), Sch. 3 para. 11; S.R. 2003/53, art. 3(1), Sch.
F2Words in art. 38(1)(a) substituted (3.3.2003 for certain purposes otherwise prosp.) by Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 (c. 4), ss. 25, 68(2), Sch. 3 para. 11; S.R. 2003/53, art. 3(1), Sch.
F3Words in art. 38(1)(a) 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)(a), 68(2); S.R. 2003/53, art. 3(1), Sch.
F4Words in art. 38(1)(a) 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)(a), 68(2); S.R. 2003/53, art. 3(1), Sch.
F5Words in art. 38(1)(b) substituted (3.3.2003 for certain purposes otherwise prosp.) by Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 (c. 4), ss. 25, 68(2), Sch. 3 para. 11; S.R. 2003/53, art. 3(1), Sch.
F6Words in art. 38(1)(b) substituted (3.3.2003 for certain purposes otherwise prosp.) by Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 (c. 4), ss. 25, 68(2), Sch. 3 para. 11; S.R. 2003/53, art. 3(1), Sch.
F7Word in art. 38(1)(b) 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.
F8Word in art. 38(1)(b) 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.
F10Words in art. 38(2) substituted (3.3.2003 for certain purposes otherwise prosp.) by Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 (c. 4), ss. 25, 68(2), Sch. 3 para. 11; S.R. 2003/53, art. 3(1), Sch.
F11Words in art. 38(2) substituted (3.3.2003 for certain purposes otherwise prosp.) by Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 (c. 4), ss. 25, 68(2), Sch. 3 para. 11; S.R. 2003/53, art. 3(1), Sch.
F12Words in art. 38(2A) 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)(a), 68(2); S.R. 2003/53, art. 3(1), Sch.
F13Words in art. 38(2A) 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)(a), 68(2); S.R. 2003/53, art. 3(1), Sch.
F14Word in art. 38(2A) 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.
F15Word in art. 38(2A) 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.
F16Art. 38(3) repealed (22.11.2000 for certain purposes and 3.3.2003 for further certain purposes otherwise prosp.) by Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 (c. 4), ss. 17(1), 67, 68(2), Sch. 9 Pt. I; S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. II; S.R. 2003/53, art. 3(1), Sch.
F17Words in art. 38(3) substituted (3.3.2003 for certain purposes otherwise prosp.) by Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 (c. 4), ss. 25, 68(2), Sch. 3 para. 11; S.R. 2003/53, art. 3(1), Sch.
F18Words in art. 38(3) substituted (3.3.2003 for certain purposes otherwise prosp.) by Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 (c. 4), ss. 25, 68(2), Sch. 3 para. 11; S.R. 2003/53, art. 3(1), Sch.
F19Art. 38(4) repealed (22.11.2000 for certain purposes and 3.3.2003 for further certain purposes otherwise prosp.) by Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 (c. 4), ss. 17(1), 67, 68(2), Sch. 9 Pt. I; S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. II; S.R. 2003/53, art. 3(1), Sch.
F20Art. 38(5) repealed (22.11.2000 for certain purposes and 3.3.2003 for further certain purposes otherwise prosp.) by Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 (c. 4), ss. 17(1), 67, 68(2), Sch. 9 Pt. I; S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. II; S.R. 2003/53, art. 3(1), Sch.
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