Courts Act 2003

Part 3E+WAttachment of earnings orders and applications for benefit deductions

Application of PartE+W

7[F1(1)This Part does not apply where the court is hearing P's case following an appeal under paragraph 23, 32 or [F2, 37(9) or 37A(4)].]E+W

(2)In the following provisions of this Part, “the relevant court” means—

(a)the court which is imposing the liability to pay the sum due, or

(b)F3. . . the magistrates' court responsible for enforcing payment of the sum due.

[F4(3)For the purposes of this Schedule—

(a)an attachment of earnings order, or

(b)an application for benefit deductions,

is an order or application to secure the payment of the whole of the sum due.]

Textual Amendments

F3Words in Sch. 5 para. 7(2)(b) omitted (3.7.2006) by virtue of The Collection of Fines (Final Scheme) Order (S.I. 2006/1737), arts. 1, 10(b)

Commencement Information

I1Sch. 5 para. 7 wholly in force at 5.4.2004; Sch. 5 para. 7 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 110(1)(2); Sch. 5 para. 7 in force for certain purposes at 23.2.2004 by S.I. 2004/174, art. 4(a); Sch. 5 para. 7 in force for certain further purposes at 29.3.2004 by S.I. 2004/174, art. 4(b); Sch. 5 para. 7 in force for all purposes at 5.4.2004 by S.I. 2004/174, art. 4(c)

[F5Attachment of earnings order or application for benefit deductions where P is liable to pay compensationE+W

Textual Amendments

7A(1)This paragraph applies if the sum due consists of or includes a sum required to be paid by a compensation order[F6, an unlawful profit order or a slavery and trafficking reparation order].E+W

(2)The relevant court must make an attachment of earnings order if it appears to the court—

(a)that P is in employment, and

(b)that it is not impracticable or inappropriate to make the order.

(3)The relevant court must make an application for benefit deductions if it appears to the court—

(a)that P is entitled to a relevant benefit, and

(b)that it is not impracticable or inappropriate to make the application.

(4)If it appears to the court that (apart from this sub-paragraph) both sub-paragraph (2) and sub-paragraph (3) would apply, the court must make either an attachment of earnings order or an application for benefit deductions.]

Textual Amendments

F6Words in Sch. 5 para. 7A(1) substituted (31.7.2015) by Modern Slavery Act 2015 (c. 30), s. 61(1), Sch. 5 para. 23(3); S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(j)

Attachment of earnings order or application for benefit deductions without P’s consentE+W

8[F7(1)This paragraph applies if—E+W

(a)paragraph 7A does not apply, and

(b)the relevant court concludes that P is an existing defaulter and that his existing default (or defaults) cannot be disregarded.]

(2)The court must make an attachment of earnings order if it appears to the court—

(a)that P is in employment, and

(b)that it is not impracticable or inappropriate to make the order.

(3)The court must make an application for benefit deductions if it appears to the court—

(a)that P is entitled to a relevant benefit, and

(b)that it is not impracticable or inappropriate to make the application.

(4)If it appears to the court that (apart from this sub-paragraph) both sub-paragraph (2) and sub-paragraph (3) would apply, the court must make either an attachment of earnings order or an application for benefit deductions.

Textual Amendments

F7Sch. 5 para. 8(1) substituted (3.7.2006) by The Collection of Fines (Final Scheme) Order (S.I. 2006/1737), arts. 1, 12

Commencement Information

I2Sch. 5 para. 8 wholly in force at 5.4.2004; Sch. 5 para. 8 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 110(1)(2); Sch. 5 para. 8 in force for certain purposes at 23.2.2004 by S.I. 2004/174, art. 4(a); Sch. 5 para. 8 in force for certain further purposes at 29.3.2004 by S.I. 2004/174, art. 4(b); Sch. 5 para. 8 in force for all purposes at 5.4.2004 by S.I. 2004/174, art. 4(c)

Attachment of earnings order or application for benefit deductions with P’s consentE+W

9[F8(1)This paragraph applies if—E+W

(a)paragraph 7A does not apply, and

(b)the relevant court concludes that P is not an existing defaulter or, if he is, that his existing default (or defaults) can be disregarded.]

(2)The court may make—

(a)an attachment of earnings order, or

(b)an application for benefit deductions,

if P consents.

Textual Amendments

F8Sch. 5 para. 9(1) substituted (3.7.2006) by The Collection of Fines (Final Scheme) Order (S.I. 2006/1737), arts. 1, 13

Commencement Information

I3Sch. 5 para. 9 wholly in force at 5.4.2004; Sch. 5 para. 9 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 110(1)(2); Sch. 5 para. 9 in force for certain purposes at 23.2.2004 by S.I. 2004/174, art. 4(a); Sch. 5 para. 9 in force for certain further purposes at 29.3.2004 by S.I. 2004/174, art. 4(b); Sch. 5 para. 9 in force for all purposes at 5.4.2004 by S.I. 2004/174, art. 4(c)