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Attachment of Earnings Act 1971

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This is the original version (as it was originally enacted).

1Courts with power to attach earnings

(1)The High Court may make an attachment of earnings order to secure payments under a High Court maintenance order.

(2)A county court may make an attachment of earnings order to secure—

(a)payments under a High Court or a county court maintenance order;

(b)the payment of a judgment debt, other than a debt of less than £5 or such other sum as may be prescribed by county court rules ; or

(c)payments under an administration order.

(3)A magistrates' court may make an attachment of earnings order to secure—

(a)payments under a magistrates' court maintenance order ;

(b)the payment of any sum adjudged to be paid by a conviction or treated (by any enactment relating to the collection and enforcement of fines, costs, compensation or forfeited recognisances) as so adjudged to be paid; or

(c)the payment of any sum required to be paid by a legal aid contribution order.

(4)The following provisions of this Act apply, except where otherwise stated, to attachment of earnings orders made, or to be made, by any court.

(5)Any power conferred by this Act to make an attachment of earnings order includes a power to make such an order to secure the discharge of liabilities arising before the coming into force of this Act.

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