Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988

A payee of a registered maintenance liability or carer liability may sue for and recover a debt due in relation to the liability if the payee notifies the Registrar in writing of his or her intention to institute a proceeding to recover the debt:

at least 14 days before instituting the proceeding; or

in exceptional circumstances—within such shorter period as the court allows.

For provisions relating to proceedings instituted under this section, see sections 111F and 111G.

A payee of a registered maintenance liability or carer liability who has instituted a proceeding in a court to recover a debt in accordance with subsection (1) must give notice to the Registrar, in the manner specified by the Registrar, of any orders (including orders as to costs) made by the court in relation to the payee and the debt due in relation to the liability, within 14 days of the order being made.

Section 16A provides for the Registrar to specify the manner in which a notice may be given.

A payee commits an offence if:

the court makes an order in relation to the payee and the debt due in relation to the liability; and

the payee fails to notify the Registrar under subsection (2) of the order being made.

Subsection (3) is an offence of strict liability.

It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (3) if the person charged proves that the person gave the notice to the Registrar as soon as reasonably practicable after becoming aware of the making of the relevant order.