Merchant Shipping Act 1995

34 Restriction on assignment of and charge upon wages

(1) As respects the wages due or accruing to a seaman employed in a United Kingdom ship—

(a) the wages shall not be subject to attachment;

(b) the wages shall not, in Scotland, be subject to any diligence other than those provided for in section 46(1) of the [1987 c. 18.] Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987;

(c) an assignment thereof before they have accrued shall not bind the seaman and the payment of the wages to the seaman shall be valid notwithstanding any previous assignment or charge; and

(d) a power of attorney or authority for the receipt of the wages shall not be irrevocable.

(2) Nothing in this section shall affect the provisions of this Part with respect to allotment notes.

(3) Nothing in this section applies to any disposition relating to the application of wages—

(a) in the payment of contributions to a fund declared by regulations made by the Secretary of State to be a fund to which this section applies; or

(b) in the payment of contributions in respect of the membership of a body declared by regulations made by the Secretary of State to be a body to which this section applies;

or to anything done or to be done for giving effect to such a disposition.

(4) Subsection (1)(a) above is subject, in relation to England and Wales, to the [1971 c. 32.] Attachment of Earnings Act 1971.

(5) Subsection (1)(a) above is subject to any provision made by or under—

(a) section 31 or 33 of the [1991 c. 48.] Child Support Act 1991 (deductions from earnings orders); or

(b) Article 31 or 32 of the [S.I. 1991/2628 (NI 23).] Child Support (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 (deductions from earnings orders).