Family Law - "Goodbye CSA" or merely "Au Revoir"?

The Government has recently announced plans to abolish the Child Support Agency.

However, it is immediately to be replaced by a similar statutory body, which will deal (as does the CSA) with the arrangement, collection and enforcement of child support payments. There are no plans to return these responsibilities to the Family Courts.

It is intended that the new body will be more streamlined, and that it will allow parents to come to their own private arrangements, even if they are receiving state benefits.

Where there is dispute, the new body will be able to calculate an appropriate level of support and offer methods of enforcement.

There is talk of tougher enforcement penalties, as well as punishment for those who do not pay.

Full details of the proposals are to be published in the autumn. Shall we see something radically new, fair and effective, or the return of the CSA in a new dress?