SCHEDULE 1RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF F8... MAINTENANCE DECISIONS, AND ESTABLISHMENT AND MODIFICATION OF MAINTENANCE OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE CONVENTION
Recognition and enforcement of maintenance decisions made by courts in Contracting States2
1
Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the court in England and Wales to which an application for registration of a maintenance decision under the Convention is to be made is F4the family court .
2
An application for registration is to be transmitted by the Lord Chancellor to F5the family court (“the registering court”).
3
Jurisdiction in relation to applications for registration of maintenance decisions lies with the courts of England and Wales if—
a
the person against whom enforcement is sought is resident in England and Wales, or
b
assets belonging to that person and which are susceptible to enforcement are situated or held in England and Wales.
4
An application for registration shall be determined in the first instance by the prescribed officer of the registering court. In this sub-paragraph and in sub-paragraph (5), “prescribed” means prescribed by rules of court.
5
The decision of the prescribed officer may be appealed to the registering court in accordance with rules of court.
6
For the purposes of the enforcement of a maintenance decision registered under the Convention in the registering court—
a
the decision shall be of the same force and effect,
b
the registering court shall have in relation to its enforcement the same powers, and
c
proceedings for or with respect to its enforcement may be taken,
as if the decision had originally been made by the registering court.
7
Sub-paragraph (6) is subject to sub-paragraph (8).
8
9
Sub-paragraph (6) is also subject to—
a
paragraph 3;
b
any provision made by rules of court as to the procedure for the enforcement of maintenance decisions registered in accordance with this paragraph.
10
The debtor under a maintenance decision registered in accordance with this paragraph in F6the family court must give notice of any change of address to the F7court officer of the family court in the Designated Family Judge area in which the maintenance decision is registered.
In this sub-paragraph, “debtor” has the meaning given by Article 3.
11
A person who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with sub-paragraph (10) shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.
Words in Sch. 1 heading omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Jurisdiction and Judgments (Family) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/519), reg. 1(1), Sch. para. 39(7)(a) (with reg. 8) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1574, regs. 1, 5(2)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)