Administration of Justice Act 1970

12 Restriction on magistrates' power of committal for civil debt

(1) The power of a magistrates' court under section 64 of the Act of 1952 to issue a warrant to commit to prison a person who makes default in paying a sum adjudged to be paid by such a court shall be restricted in accordance with this section.

(2) This section does not affect the court's power to issue such a warrant in the case of default in paying a sum adjudged to be paid by a conviction, or treated (by any enactment relating to the collection or enforcement of fines, costs, compensation or forfeited recognizances) as so adjudged to be paid; but in the case of a sum adjudged to be paid by an order the power shall be exercisable only in respect of default under—

(a) a magistrates' court maintenance order;

(b) an order for the payment of any of the taxes, contributions or liabilities specified in Schedule 4 to this Act; or

(c) an order (in this Act referred to as a " legal aid contribution order") under section 76 of the [1967 c. 80.] Criminal Justice Act 1967 (contribution by legally assisted person to cost of his defence in a criminal case).