Part III

Masters and Seamen

Wages etc.

Restriction on assignment of and charge upon wages
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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 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 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 Child Support Act 1991 (deductions from earnings orders); or
b
Article 31 or 32 of the Child Support (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 (deductions from earnings orders).
1987 c. 18.
1971 c. 32.
1991 c. 48.
S.I. 1991/2628 (NI 23).