(1)In section 9 of the Child Support Act 1991 (maintenance agreements), after subsection (2) there is inserted—
“(2A)The [F1Secretary of State] may, with a view to reducing the need for applications under sections 4 and 7—
(a)take such steps as [F2the Secretary of State] 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 [F3Secretary of State] 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 [F4Secretary of State] may before accepting an application required by provision under sub-paragraph (2)(b) invite the applicant to consider with the [F4Secretary of State] whether it is possible to make a maintenance agreement (within the meaning of section 9 of the Child Support Act 1991).”
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 136(1) substituted (1.8.2012) by The Public Bodies (Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission: Abolition and Transfer of Functions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2007), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 105(2)(a)
F2Words in s. 136(1) substituted (1.8.2012) by The Public Bodies (Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission: Abolition and Transfer of Functions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2007), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 105(2)(b)
F3Words in s. 136(1) substituted (1.8.2012) by The Public Bodies (Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission: Abolition and Transfer of Functions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2007), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 105(2)(c)
F4Words in s. 136(2) substituted (1.8.2012) by The Public Bodies (Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission: Abolition and Transfer of Functions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2007), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 105(3)
Commencement Information
I1S. 136 in force at 25.11.2013 by S.I. 2013/2947, art. 6