The Family Procedure Rules 2010

PART 33 E+W ENFORCEMENT

CHAPTER 1 E+W GENERAL RULES

Application E+W

33.1.—(1) The rules in this Part apply to an application made in the High Court and [F1 the family court] to enforce an order made in family proceedings.

(2) [F2 Parts 50, 83 and 84] of, and Schedules 1 and 2 to, the CPR apply, as far as they are relevant and with necessary modification F3 ..., to an application made in the High Court and [F4 the family court] to enforce an order made in family proceedings.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in rule 33.1(1) substituted (22.4.2014) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/667), rules 1, 28(a) (with rule 45)

F2 Words in rule 33.1(2) substituted (22.4.2014) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/667), rules 1, 28(b)(i) (with rule 45)

F3 Words in rule 33.1(2) omitted (22.4.2014) by virtue of The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/667), rules 1, 28(b)(ii) (with rule 45)

F4 Words in rule 33.1(2) substituted (22.4.2014) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/667), rules 1, 28(b)(iii) (with rule 45)

SECTION 1 E+W Enforcement of orders for the payment of money

Application of the Civil Procedure Rules E+W

33.2.  Part 70 of the CPR applies to proceedings under this Section as if—

(a) in rule 70.1, in paragraph (2)(d), “but does not include a judgment or order for the payment of money into court” is omitted; F5 ...

[F6 (a1) in rule 70.3(1), for “County Court” there is substituted “family court”; and]

(b) rule 70.5 is omitted.

Textual Amendments

F5 Word in rule 33.2(a) omitted (22.4.2014) by virtue of The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/667), rules 1, 29(a) (with rule 45)

F6 Rule 33.2(a1) inserted (22.4.2014) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/667), rules 1, 29(b) (with rule 45)

How to apply E+W

33.3.—(1) Except where a rule or practice direction otherwise requires, an application for an order to enforce an order for the payment of money must be made in a notice of application accompanied by a statement which must—

(a) state the amount due under the order, showing how that amount is arrived at; and

(b) be verified by a statement of truth.

(2) The notice of application may either—

(a) apply for an order specifying the method of enforcement; or

(b) apply for an order for such method of enforcement as the court may consider appropriate.

[F7 (3) If an application is made under paragraph (2)(b), the court must issue an order which includes requirements that—

(a) the debtor must attend court at the time and place specified in the order to answer on oath such questions as the court may require;

(b) the debtor must complete a financial statement in the form served with that order; and

(c) the financial statement, together with any documents that the statement indicates should be provided, must be—

(i) filed with the court; and

(ii) served on the applicant,

by the debtor not less than seven days before the date on which order requires the debtor to attend court.

(4) An order issued under paragraph (3) must include a penal notice, as defined in rule 37.2.]

Textual Amendments

F7 Rule 33.3(3)(4) substituted for rule 33.3(3) (6.4.2023) by The Family Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2023 (S.I. 2023/61), rules 1(3), 17

Transfer of orders E+W

33.4.—(1) This rule applies to an application for the transfer—

(a) to the High Court of an order made in [F8 the family court]; and

(b) to [F8 the family court] of an order made in the High Court.

(2) The application must be—

(a) made without notice; and

(b) accompanied by a statement which complies with rule 33.3(1).

(3) The transfer will have effect upon the filing of the application.

(4) Where an order is transferred from [F8 the family court] to the High Court—

(a) it will have the same force and effect; and

(b) the same proceedings may be taken on it,

as if it were an order of the High Court.

(5) This rule does not apply to the transfer of orders for periodical payments or for the recovery of arrears of periodical payments.

Textual Amendments

F8 Words in rule 33.4 substituted (22.4.2014) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/667), rules 1, 30 (with rule 45)

SECTION 2 E+W Committal and injunction

[F9 Enforcement of orders by way of committal E+W

33.5.   Part 37 applies as appropriate for the enforcement by way of committal of an order made in family proceedings.]

Textual Amendments

F9 Rule 33.5 substituted for rules 33.5-33.8 (22.4.2014) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/667), rules 1, 31 (with rule 45)

Proceedings in the principal registry treated as pending in a designated county court E+W

F9 33.6.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F9 Rule 33.5 substituted for rules 33.5-33.8 (22.4.2014) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/667), rules 1, 31 (with rule 45)

Specific modifications of the CCR E+W

F9 33.7.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F9 Rule 33.5 substituted for rules 33.5-33.8 (22.4.2014) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/667), rules 1, 31 (with rule 45)

Section 118 County Courts Act 1984 and the tipstaff E+W

F9 33.8.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F9 Rule 33.5 substituted for rules 33.5-33.8 (22.4.2014) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/667), rules 1, 31 (with rule 45)

CHAPTER 2 E+W COMMITTAL BY WAY OF JUDGMENT SUMMONS

Interpretation E+W

33.9.  In this Chapter, unless the context requires otherwise—

“order” means an order made in family proceedings for the payment of money;

“judgment creditor” means a person entitled to enforce an order under section 5 of the Debtors Act 1869;

“debtor” means a person liable under an order; and

“judgment summons” means a summons under section 5 of the [F10 Debtors] Act 1869 M1 requiring a debtor to attend court.

Textual Amendments

F10 Word in rule 33.9 substituted (24.8.2015) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2015 (S.I. 2015/1420), rules 1(4), 18 (with rule 26)

Marginal Citations

M1 1869 c.62. Section 5 was amended by articles 2 and 3 of the Civil Procedure (Modification of Enactments) Order 2002 ( S.I. 2002/439) and the Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c.14).

Application E+W

33.10.— [F11 (1) An application for the issue of a judgment summons may be made—

(a) in the case of an order of the High Court, to—

(i) the principal registry;

(ii) a district registry; or

(iii) the family court,

whichever in the opinion of the judgment creditor is most convenient, and if to the family court, to whichever Designated Family Judge area is in the opinion of the judgment creditor most convenient; and

(b) in the case of an order of the family court, to whichever Designated Family Judge area is in the opinion of the judgment creditor most convenient,

having regard (in any case) to the place where the debtor resides or carries on business and irrespective of the location of the court or registry in which the order was made.

(For the way in which information will be provided to enable Designated Family Judge areas and Designated Family Courts to be identified, see Practice Direction 34E.)]

(2) An application must be accompanied by a statement which—

(a) complies with rule 33.3(1);

(b) contains all the evidence on which the judgment creditor intends to rely; and

(c) has exhibited to it a copy of the order.

Textual Amendments

F11 Rule 33.10(1) substituted (22.4.2014) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/667), rules 1, 32 (with rule 45)

Judgment summons E+W

33.11.—(1) If the debtor is in default under an order of committal made on a previous judgment summons in respect of the same order, a judgment summons must not be issued without the court's permission.

[F12 (2) A judgment summons must be accompanied by the statement referred to in rule 33.10(2).

(3) A judgment summons must be served on the debtor—

(a) personally; or

(b) by the court sending it to the debtor by first class post—

(i) at the address stated in the application for the issue of a judgment summons; or

(ii) in a case where a court officer is proceeding for the recovery of a debt in accordance with rule 32.33, at the last known address for the debtor shown on court records.

(4) In a case to which paragraph (3)(b)(i) applies, the judgment creditor must file with the court a certificate for postal service.

(5) A judgment summons must be served on the debtor not less than 14 days before the hearing.

(6) Paragraph (3) is subject to any direction of the court that the judgment summons must be served personally on the debtor.]

Textual Amendments

F12 Rules 33.11(2)-(6) substituted for rule 33.11(2)(3) (24.8.2015) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2015 (S.I. 2015/1420), rules 1(4), 19 (with rule 26)

Successive judgment summonses E+W

33.12.  Subject to rule 33.11(1), successive judgment summonses may be issued even if the debtor has ceased to reside or carry on business at the address stated in the application for the issue of a judgment summons since the issue of the original judgment summons.

[F13 Order or summons to attend adjourned hearing: requirement for personal service E+W

33.13— (1) Paragraph (2) applies in proceedings for committal by way of judgment summons where—

(a) the family court has ordered under section 110(1) of the County Courts Act 1984 that the debtor must attend an adjourned hearing; or

(b) the High Court has summonsed the debtor to attend an adjourned hearing following the debtor’s failure to attend the hearing of the judgment summons.

(2) The following documents must be served personally on the debtor—

(a) the notice of the date and time fixed for the adjourned hearing; and

(b) copies of the judgment summons and the documents mentioned in rule 33.10(2).]

Textual Amendments

F13 Rule 33.13 substituted (24.8.2015) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2015 (S.I. 2015/1420), rules 1(4), 20 (with rule 26)

[F14 Committal on application for judgment summons E+W

33.14.— (1) Subject to paragraph (2), on a hearing of an application for a judgment summons the debtor may be committed for making default on payment of a debt if the judgment creditor proves that the debtor—

(a) has, or has had, since the date of the order the means to pay the sum in respect of which the debtor has made default; and

(b) has refused or neglected, or refuses or neglects, to pay that sum.

(2) A debtor may not be committed in accordance with paragraph (1) where the judgment summons was served by post, unless the debtor attends the hearing.

(3) Where the debtor has been ordered or summonsed to attend an adjourned hearing in accordance with rule 33.13, the debtor may be committed—

(a) for failure to attend the adjourned hearing; or

(b) for making default on payment of a debt, if the judgment creditor proves that the debtor—

(i) has, or has had, since the date of the order the means to pay the sum in respect of which the debtor has made default; and

(ii) has refused or neglected, or refuses or neglects, to pay that sum.

(4) The debtor may not be compelled to give evidence.]

Textual Amendments

F14 Rule 33.14 substituted (24.8.2015) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2015 (S.I. 2015/1420), rules 1(4), 21 (with rule 26)

[F15 Expenses E+W

33.14A.— (1) A debtor must not be committed to prison under section 110(2) of the County Courts Act 1984 unless the debtor has been paid or offered a sum reasonably sufficient to cover the expenses of travelling to and from the court building at which the debtor is summoned or ordered to appear.

(2) The sum must be paid or offered at the time of service of—

(a) the judgment summons; or

(b) the order to attend under section 110(1) of the County Courts Act 1984.]

Textual Amendments

F15 Rule 33.14A inserted (24.8.2015) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2015 (S.I. 2015/1420), rules 1(4), 22 (with rule 26)

Orders for the benefit of different persons E+W

33.15.  Where an applicant has obtained one or more orders in the same application but for the benefit of different persons—

(a) where the judgment creditor is a child, the applicant may apply for the issue of a judgment summons in respect of those orders on behalf of the judgment creditor without seeking permission to act as the child's litigation friend; and

(b) only one judgment summons need be issued in respect of those orders.

Hearing of judgment summons E+W

33.16.—(1) On the hearing of the judgment summons the court may—

(a) where the order is for lump sum provision or costs; or

(b) where the order is an order for maintenance pending suit, an order for maintenance pending outcome of proceedings or an order for other periodical payments and it appears to the court that the order would have been varied or suspended if the debtor had made an application for that purpose,

make a new order for payment of the amount due under the original order, together with the costs of the judgment summons, either at a specified time or by instalments.

(2) If the court makes an order of committal, it may direct its execution to be suspended on terms that the debtor pays to the judgment creditor—

(a) the amount due;

(b) the costs of the judgment summons; and

(c) any sums accruing due under the original order,

either at a specified time or by instalments.

(3) All payments under a new order or an order of committal must be made to the judgment creditor unless the court directs otherwise.

(4) Where an order of committal is suspended on such terms as are mentioned in paragraph (2)—

(a) all payments made under the suspended order will be deemed to be made—

(i) first, in or towards the discharge of any sums from time to time accruing due under the original order; and

(ii) secondly, in or towards the discharge of a debt in respect of which the judgment summons was issued and the costs of the summons; and

(b) the suspended order must not be executed until the judgment creditor has filed a statement of default on the part of the debtor.

Special provisions as to judgment summonses in the High Court E+W

33.17.—(1)  [F16 The High Court] may summons witnesses to give evidence to prove the means of the debtor and may issue a witness summons for that purpose.

(2) Where the debtor appears at the hearing, [F17 the High Court] may direct that the travelling expenses paid to the debtor be allowed as expenses of a witness.

(3) Where the debtor appears at the hearing and no order of committal is made, [F18 the High Court] may allow the debtor's proper costs including compensation for any loss of earnings.

(4) When [F19 the High Court] makes—

(a) a new order; or

(b) an order of committal,

a court officer must send notice of the order to the debtor and, if the original order was made in another court, to that court.

(5) An order of committal must be directed—

(a) where the order is to be executed by the tipstaff, to the tipstaff; or

(b) where the order is to be executed by a deputy tipstaff, to the [F20 Designated Family Judge area within] which the debtor is to be found.

Textual Amendments

F16 Words in rule 33.17(1) substituted (24.8.2015) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2015 (S.I. 2015/1420), rules 1(4), 23(a) (with rule 26)

F17 Words in rule 33.17(2) substituted (24.8.2015) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2015 (S.I. 2015/1420), rules 1(4), 23(b) (with rule 26)

F18 Words in rule 33.17(3) substituted (24.8.2015) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2015 (S.I. 2015/1420), rules 1(4), 23(b) (with rule 26)

F19 Words in rule 33.17(4) substituted (24.8.2015) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2015 (S.I. 2015/1420), rules 1(4), 23(b) (with rule 26)

F20 Words in rule 33.17(5)(b) substituted (22.4.2014) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/667), rules 1, 35 (with rule 45)

Special provisions as to judgment summonses in designated county courts E+W

F21 33.18.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F21 Rule 33.18 omitted (22.4.2014) by virtue of The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/667), rules 1, 36 (with rule 45)

CHAPTER 3 E+W ATTACHMENT OF EARNINGS

[F22 Enforcement by attachment of earnings order E+W

33.19.   Part 39 applies to applications for an attachment of earnings order to secure payments under a maintenance order.]

Textual Amendments

F22 Rule 33.19 substituted for rules 33.19, 33.19A (6.4.2016) by The Family Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2016 (S.I. 2016/355), rules 1(2), 4 (with rule 9)

Application of CCR Order 27: enforcement of a maintenance order E+W

F23 33.19A.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F23 Rule 33.19 substituted for rules 33.19, 33.19A (6.4.2016) by The Family Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2016 (S.I. 2016/355), rules 1(2), 4 (with rule 9)

CHAPTER 4 E+W WARRANT OF [F24 CONTROL]

Textual Amendments

F24 Word in Pt. 33 Ch. 4 heading substituted (22.4.2014) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/667), rules 1, 38 (with rule 45)

Applications to vary existing orders E+W

33.20.  Where an application is pending for a variation of—

(a) a financial order;

(b) an order under section 27 of the 1973 Act; or

(c) an order under Part 9 of Schedule 5 to the 2004 Act,

no warrant of [F25 control] may be issued to enforce payment of any sum due under those orders, except with the permission of the [F26 court].

Textual Amendments

F25 Word in rule 33.20 substituted (22.4.2014) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/667), rules 1, 39(a) (with rule 45)

F26 Words in rule 33.20 substituted (22.4.2014) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/667), rules 1, 39(b) (with rule 45)

Section 103 County Courts Act 1984 E+W

F27 33.21.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F27 Rule 33.21 omitted (22.4.2014) by virtue of The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/667), rules 1, 40 (with rule 45)

CHAPTER 5 E+W COURT'S POWER TO APPOINT A RECEIVER

Application of the CPR E+W

33.22.  Part 69 of the CPR applies to proceedings under this Part.

CHAPTER 6 E+W ORDERS TO OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM JUDGMENT DEBTORS

[F28 Application of the CPR E+W

33.23.— (1) Part 71 of the CPR applies to proceedings under this Part with the following modifications.

(2) In rule 71.2(2), for paragraph (b) substitute—

“(b) must be—

(i) issued in the High Court if the High Court made the judgment or order which it is sought to enforce; or

(ii) made to the Designated Family Court for the Designated Family Judge area within which the judgment or order was made,

except that if the proceedings have since been transferred to a different court or Designated Family Judge area, it must be issued in that court or made to that area.”]

Textual Amendments

F28 Rule 33.23 substituted (22.4.2014) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/667), rules 1, 41 (with rule 45)

CHAPTER 7 E+W THIRD PARTY DEBT ORDERS

Application of the CPR E+W

33.24.—(1) Part 72 of the CPR applies to proceedings under this Part with the following modifications.

[F29 (1A) In rule 72.3, for paragraph (1)(b) there is substituted—

“(b) must be issued in the court which made the judgment or order which it is sought to enforce, or made to the Designated Family Judge area within which that judgment or order was made, except that if the proceedings have since been transferred to a different court or Designated Family Judge area, it must be issued in that court or made to that area.”]

(2) In rule 72.4—

(a) in paragraph (1), for “a judge” there is substituted “ the court ”; and

(b) in paragraph (2), for “judge” there is substituted “ court ”.

[F30 (3) In rule 72.7—

(a) in paragraph (2)(a), after “the Royal Courts of Justice” there is inserted “or the principal registry”; and

(b) in paragraph (2)(b), for “in County Court proceedings, to any County Court hearing centre” there is substituted “in family court proceedings, to any Designated Family Judge area”.]

(4) Rule 72.10 is omitted.

Textual Amendments

F29 Rule 33.24(1A) inserted (22.4.2014) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/667), rules 1, 42(a) (with rule 45)

F30 Rule 33.24(3) substituted (22.4.2014) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/667), rules 1, 42(b) (with rule 45)

CHAPTER 8 E+W CHARGING ORDER, STOP ORDER, STOP NOTICE

[F31 Application for a charging order, stop order or stop notice E+W

33.25.   Part 40 applies for the enforcement of a judgment or order made in family proceedings by way of a charging order, stop order or stop notice.]

Textual Amendments

F31 Rule 33.25 substituted (6.4.2016) by The Family Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2016 (S.I. 2016/355), rules 1(2), 5 (with rule 9)