Children Act 1989

Provisions relating to lump sumsE+W

5(1)Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph 1, an order under that paragraph for the payment of a lump sum may be made for the purpose of enabling any liabilities or expenses—E+W

(a)incurred in connection with the birth of the child or in maintaining the child; and

(b)reasonably incurred before the making of the order,

to be met.

F1(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)The power of the court under paragraph 1 or 2 to vary or discharge an order for the making or securing of periodical payments by a parent shall include power to make an order under that provision for the payment of a lump sum by that parent.

F2(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5)An order made under paragraph 1 or 2 for the payment of a lump sum may provide for the payment of that sum by instalments.

(6)Where the court provides for the payment of a lump sum by instalments the court, on an application made either by the person liable to pay or the person entitled to receive that sum, shall have power to vary that order by varying—

(a)the number of instalments payable;

(b)the amount of any instalment payable;

(c)the date on which any instalment becomes payable.

[F3(7)The Lord Chief Justice may nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005) to exercise his functions under this paragraph.]