What is the role of the courts in Child Maintenance Service-made arrangements?
Friday 2 May 2025
This issue will be explored by the House of Lords Public Services Committee as it continues its inquiry into the Child Maintenance Service (CMS). The committee will hold its fourth evidence session on Wednesday 7 May at 11:05am and the session will also consider the effectiveness of CMS enforcement processes.
The session can be watched live or on demand at Parliament TV or attend in person in Committee Room 2, Palace of Westminster.
Giving evidence will be:
- Naomi Wiseman, Barrister at Family Law Bar Association; and
- Michelle Counley, Senior Consultant at NACSA.
Questions will include:
- In your experience, what are the reasons and circumstances parents with Child Maintenance Service-made arrangements engage with the courts? How far is this driven by problems in CMS processes?
- How well does the Child Maintenance Service use its enforcement powers, and communicate with paying and receiving parents about the CMS’s actions?
- What are the timescales for enforcement action and engagement with the courts?
- How accessible and effective is the appeal process for parents?
- What recommendations should this Committee make to the Government?
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