Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order amends various provisions of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, the Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates' Courts Act 1978 and the Children Act 1989 so as to allow maintenance orders to be backdated to a time before the date of application. The general effect of the amendments is to allow maintenance orders to be backdated to the effective date of a maintenance assessment made under the Child Support Act 1991, provided that the application for the maintenance order is made within six months from the date of the assessment.
The Order also extends the definition of family proceedings in section 65 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 to cover certain Child Support Act proceedings.