Explanatory note

These Rules amend the Magistrates' Courts (Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders) Rules 1974. Rule 3 limits rule 13 of the 1974 Rules to written notices to be sent to the Secretary of State; and transfers rule 13(2) (notice of cancellation of order to payer) to rule 14. Rule 4 requires a justices' clerk who registers a maintenance order in a magistrates' court (including an order varying a maintenance order) to notify the payer.

Rules 5 and 6 add to Schedules 1 and 2 to the 1974 Rules (transmission of documents via the Secretary of State and transmission of sums via Crown Agents) certain of the countries and territories which are designated as reciprocating countries for the purposes of Part I of the Maintenance Orders (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1972 by the Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders (Designation of Reciprocating Countries) Order 1975 (S.I. 1975/2187) which comes into operation on the same date as these Rules.