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The Child Support (Northern Ireland) Order 1991
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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 7:
- art. 7(2) words repealed by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 127(2)(a)
- art. 7(4) word omitted by 2023 c. 24 s. 4(2)(b)(i)
- art. 7(9) repealed by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) Sch. 5
- art. 7(10)(b) and word repealed by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) Sch. 5
- art. 7(11) repealed by 2008 c. 10 (N.I.) Sch. 5
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)
Child support maintenanceN.I.
7.—(1) A person who is, in relation to any qualifying child or any qualifying children, either the person with care or the [F1absent parent] [F2non-resident parent] may apply to the Department for a [F3maintenance assessment] [F4maintenance calculation] to be made under this Order with respect to that child, or any of those children.
(2) Where a [F5maintenance assessment] [F6maintenance calculation] has been made in response to an application under this Article the Department may, if the persons with care or [F7absent parent] [F8non-resident parent] with respect to whom the [F9assessment] [F10calculation] was made applies to it under this paragraph, arrange for—
(a)the collection of the child support maintenance payable in accordance with the [F11assessment] [F12calculation];
(b)the enforcement of the obligation to pay child support maintenance in accordance with the [F13assessment] [F14calculation].
(3) Where an application under paragraph (2) for the enforcement of the obligation mentioned in paragraph (2)(b) authorises the Department to take steps to enforce that obligation whenever it considers it necessary to do so, the Department may act accordingly.
(4) A person who applies to the Department under this Article shall, so far as that person reasonably can, comply with such regulations as may be made by the Department with a view to the DepartmentF15. . . being provided with the information which is required to enable—
(a)the [F16absent parent] [F17non-resident parent] to be[F18 identified or] traced (where that is necessary);
(b)the amount of child support maintenance payable by the [F19absent parent] [F20non-resident parent] to be [F21assessed] [F22calculated]; and
(c)that amount to be recovered from the [F23absent parent] [F24non-resident parent].
(5) Any person who has applied to the Department under this Article may at any time request it to cease acting under this Article.
(6) It shall be the duty of the Department to comply with any request made under paragraph (5) (but subject to any regulations made under paragraph (8)).
(7) The obligation to provide information which is imposed by paragraph (4)—
(a)shall not apply in such circumstances as may be prescribed; and
(b)may, in such circumstances as may be prescribed, be waived by the Department.
(8) The Department may by regulations make such incidental, supplemental or transitional provision as it thinks appropriate with respect to cases in which it is requested to cease to act under this Article.
(9) No application may be made under this Article if there is in force with respect to the person with care and [F25absent parent] [F26non-resident parent] in question a [F27maintenance assessment] [F28maintenance calculation] made in response to an application[F29 treated as made] under Article 9.
[F30(10) No application may be made at any time under this Article with respect to a qualifying child or any qualifying children if—
(a)there is in force a written maintenance agreement made before 5th April 1993, or a maintenance order[F31 made before a prescribed date], in respect of that child or those children and the person who is, at that time, the [F32absent parent] [F33non-resident parent]; or
[F34(aa)a maintenance order made on or after the date prescribed for the purposes of sub-paragraph (a) is in force in respect of them, but has been so for less than the period of one year beginning with and including the date on which it was made; or]
(b)benefit is being paid to, or in respect of, a parent with care of that child or those children.
(11) In paragraph (10) “benefit” means any benefit which is mentioned in, or prescribed by regulations under, Article 9(1).]
F1Words in art. 7(1) 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. 7(1) 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. 7(1) 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. 7(1) 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. 7(2) 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.
F6Words in art. 7(2) 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.
F7Words in art. 7(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.
F8Words in art. 7(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.
F9Word in art. 7(2) 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.
F10Word in art. 7(2) 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.
F11Word in art. 7(2)(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)(b), 68(2); S.R. 2003/53, art. 3(1), Sch.
F12Word in art. 7(2)(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)(b), 68(2); S.R. 2003/53, art. 3(1), Sch.
F13Word in art. 7(2)(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.
F14Word in art. 7(2)(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.
F16Words in art. 7(4)(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.
F17Words in art. 7(4)(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.
F18Words in art. 7(4)(a) inserted (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. 13(a); S.R. 2003/53, art. 3(1), Sch.
F19Words in art. 7(4)(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.
F20Words in art. 7(4)(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.
F21Word in art. 7(4)(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.
F22Word in art. 7(4)(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.
F23Words in art. 7(4)(c) 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.
F24Words in art. 7(4)(c) 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.
F25Words in art. 7(9) 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.
F26Words in art. 7(9) 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.
F27Words in art. 7(9) 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.
F28Words in art. 7(9) 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.
F29Words in art. 7(9) inserted (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. 13(b); S.R. 2003/53, art. 3(1), Sch.
F31Words in art. 7(10)(a) inserted (7.2.2003 for certain purposes and 3.3.2003 for further certain purposes and otherwise prosp.) by Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 (c. 4), ss. 2(1)(2), 68(2); S.R. 2003/53, arts. 2, 3(1), Sch.
F32Words in art. 7(10)(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.
F33Words in art. 7(10)(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.
F34Art. 7(10)(aa) inserted (3.3.2003 for certain purposes otherwise prosp.) by Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 (c. 4), ss. 2(3), 68(2); S.R. 2003/53, art. 3(1), Sch.
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