Explanatory note

These Rules amend the Family Proceedings Courts (Children Act 1989) Rules 1991 and the Family Proceedings Courts (Matrimonial Proceedings etc) Rules 1991. As a result of transitional provisions relating to the Child Support Act 1991 (c. 48), the courts retain jurisdiction, in certain circumstances, over written maintenance agreements for the benefit of children made before 5th April 1993. The Rules revise Form 2 of the Family Proceedings Courts (Matrimonial Proceedings etc) Rules 1991 and Form CHA13 of the Family Proceedings Courts (Children Act 1989) Rules 1991 in order to elicit information concerning these agreements.

The Rules also revise Forms CHA13 and CHA15 to take into account the powers of the Child Support Agency after 11th April 1994 to deal with the collection and enforcement of court orders for education and disability expenses and of orders above the Agency’s maximum assessment where the Agency is already collecting child maintenance on behalf of the applicant.