Judicial Pensions Act 1981

20 (1) Where on the death of an officer to whom this Schedule applies any sum not exceeding £500 is due from a government department in respect of any civil pay, superannuation, or other allowance, annuity or gratuity, then if the responsible authority so direct, but subject to regulations (if any) made by the Minister, proof of the tide of the personal representatives of that person may be dispensed with, and the said sum may be paid or distributed to or among the persons appearing to the department to be beneficially entitled to the personal or moveable estate of that person, or to or among any one or more of those persons or, in the case of the legitimacy of that person or his children, to or among such persons as the department think fit, and the department shall be discharged from all liability in respect of any such payment or distribution.

(2) In this paragraph the " responsible authority" means the government department prescribed by order of the Minister for the purpose of this paragraph.

An order under this paragraph shall be contained in a statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House or Parliament.

(3) In sub-paragraph (1) above references to a government department include references to any body or institution listed in Schedule 1 to the [1972 c. 11.] Superannuation Act 1972.

(4) Sub-paragraph (1) above shall be included among the provisions with respect to which the Treasury may make an order under section 6(1) of the [1965 c. 32.] Administration of Estates (Small Payments) Act 1965 substituting for references to £500 such higher amount as may be specified in the order.