Explanatory note

The Maintenance Orders Act, 1958, makes provision for the registration, enforcement and variation of High Court and county court maintenance orders in magistrates' courts and for the registration and enforcement of magistrates' court maintenance orders in the High Court. As regards the enforcement of maintenance orders, the Act makes changes as respects committal to prison by magistrates' courts and authorises the making of attachment of earnings orders.

These Rules prescribe the procedure to be followed and the forms to be used in magistrates' courts in connection with the matters dealt with by the Act of 1958. Part I relates to maintenance orders registered under the Act, Part II to attachment of earnings orders and Part III to miscellaneous and supplemental matters, including the new provisions as to committal to prison.