Which public body administers the child support system? The Child Support Agency (CSA), surely? Yes and no. The CSA's functions have been managed for some time now by the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission (CMEC), although the CSA system is still basically the same as previously. The Government has now invited comment on a new proposal to abolish CMEC and to bring the child support system under the wing of the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). If the proposal goes ahead, the child support system will be under the direct control of central government rather than run by a free-standing agency as it has been since the system began in 1993.
So we may go from CSA to CMEC to DWP. Of course if it wanted, the government could return the child support system to the courts, as it was before the CSA came into existence. Could that happen? Unlikely.
Every week, usually on a Monday, I post my movements for the coming week - when I'm in the office and when I'm out, for example at court. At the same time I post a short article on a word or expression that may crop up during a separation or divorce case. Sometimes I comment on a topical legal issue.
I'm always glad of feedback - any comments on my blog entries are welcome - just send me an email.
Miln MacLeod Solicitors is the practice name of Rory Miln, a solicitor of England and Wales recognised as a sole practitioner, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). The practice's SRA number is 535105. The SRA’s rules can be found (in English) on their website at http://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/code-of-conduct.page