Methods of enforcement

The Family Procedure Rules 2010 (FPR 2010), SI 2010/2955 offer two routes to enforcement:

•
an application may be made to the court for a specific method of enforcement, or
•
an application may be made for such method of enforcement as the court considers appropriate

See Practice Note: Enforcement of financial orders.

In most cases, the provisions of the Civil Procedure Rules 1998, SI 1998/3132 (CPR), as modified by FPR 2010, SI 2010/2955, Pt 33, apply to enforcement in family proceedings. FPR 2010, SI 2010/2955, Pt 37 applies in relation to applications and proceedings in relation to contempt of court and FPR 2010, SI 2010/2955, Pts 39 and 40, together with FPR 2010, PD 40A, apply in relation to attachment of earnings, charging orders, stop orders and stop notices.

Standard orders in relation to enforcement have been issued as part of the standard orders project initiated by the President of the Family Division, see Practice Notes: Standard orders—enforcement and Standard orders—committal.

Attachment of earnings

An attachment of earnings order is only of use where the debtor is employed. On an application

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