Part 6

Miscellaneous

Child support maintenance

Supporting maintenance agreements
136
1
In section 9 of the Child Support Act 1991 (maintenance agreements), after subsection (2) there is inserted—
2A
The Commission may, with a view to reducing the need for applications under sections 4 and 7—
a
take such steps as it considers appropriate to encourage the making and keeping of maintenance agreements, and
b
in particular, before accepting an application under those sections, invite the applicant to consider with the Commission whether it is possible to make such an agreement.
2
In Schedule 5 to the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008 (maintenance calculations: transfer of cases to new rules), in paragraph 3, after sub-paragraph (2) there is inserted—
3
The Commission may before accepting an application required by provision under sub-paragraph (2)(b) invite the applicant to consider with the Commission whether it is possible to make a maintenance agreement (within the meaning of section 9 of the Child Support Act 1991).