New power to confiscate passports without going through the courts.

[EternalOptimist]

There's a definite problem here, and thanks to Peoplesoft Bloke for giving us the other side of the story.

The trouble with this new move is that they are letting "key workers" decide on your fate. I once lived next to a couple of these people and they were quite frankly from a different planet.

There was a bloke in Oz who threw his kid off a bridge this morning. The baby died. Going through this stuff can unhinge anyone.

Take your point about the Key Workers. I wonder what BP's take on the family courts is, and the secrecy surrounding them

[Sysman]

There is a lot of talk about law and lawyers and jail and punishments and the CSA here, I for one, amd struggling to see any justice.
There seems to be horror stories on both sides, when the emotions start to run high, justice hides under a rock.

There's a definite problem here, and thanks to Peoplesoft Bloke for giving us the other side of the story.

The trouble with this new move is that they are letting "key workers" decide on your fate. I once lived next to a couple of these people and they were quite frankly from a different planet.

[EternalOptimist]

There is a lot of talk about law and lawyers and jail and punishments and the CSA here, I for one, amd struggling to see any justice.
There seems to be horror stories on both sides, when the emotions start to run high, justice hides under a rock.

[Purple Dalek]

My friend has a Swiss passport. Will they confiscate his if he happens to be in this situation?

[Peoplesoft bloke]

Its a very good point. There are plenty of ways of enforcing the current law. Recently a friend was jailed for "owing" the CSA money. He actually owed nothing but convincing the CSA otherwise is impossibl

Could you PM me the name of the lawyer who got him jailed? Maybe they could help my sis?

[Peoplesoft bloke]

He has also recently claimed to be out of work and on JSA although oddly has just bought a new additional car and continues to run his business exactly as before. Then there's the Lotus in his garage we aren't supposed to know about. No matter, when they are old enough the kids will (sadly) work it out.

[EternalOptimist]

So -90 notches now?

It could be worse. You could be Tay

[BrilloPad]

butter wouldn't melt eh.
opinion of BP goes up ten notches.

So -90 notches now?

[Peoplesoft bloke]

Its a very good point. There are plenty of ways of enforcing the current law. Recently a friend was jailed for "owing" the CSA money. He actually owed nothing but convincing the CSA otherwise is impossible.

Of course there are plenty of ways of confusing the CSA. Try sending them a cheque for what you owe + £1 : then ask for the £1 back! Causes total mayhem. Alledgedly. Not that I would do anything like that......

I assume jailing my ex bro in law isn't an option as he does see the kids. His technique is to pay random sums amounting a tiny part of the correct figure on a random basis

[EternalOptimist]

Alledgedly. Not that I would do anything like that......

butter wouldn't melt eh.
opinion of BP goes up ten notches.

[BrilloPad]

Typical. More daft bollocks laws instead of enforcement. My sis is owed 10k + by her ex for child maintenance because he knows no-one can touch him. He even brags about his tax and maintenance evasion.

Its a very good point. There are plenty of ways of enforcing the current law. Recently a friend was jailed for "owing" the CSA money. He actually owed nothing but convincing the CSA otherwise is impossible.

Of course there are plenty of ways of confusing the CSA. Try sending them a cheque for what you owe + £1 : then ask for the £1 back! Causes total mayhem. Alledgedly. Not that I would do anything like that......

[Peoplesoft bloke]

Typical. More daft bollocks laws instead of enforcement. My sis is owed 10k + by her ex for child maintenance because he knows no-one can touch him. He even brags about his tax and maintenance evasion.

[ratewhore]

Driving licences too.

Beeb article



This was first reported in the The Sunday Times December 23, 2007
linky



That didn't work then

I'll mention the case of a mate in the early 1990s here. He'd given his missus the house and car when they divorced, in exchange for no maintenance. He did of course pay maintenance for his kids and never missed a payment, but the CSA still came after him for more brass.

Supposing the new rules had been in force and they nicked his driving licence from him, he would have lost his job too.

It's only fair. Next time I step into a court though, I may strap on a pair of false tits...

[BrilloPad]

Soon it will be extended to those who dont pay their tax. Well, to clarify, those who pay their tax but HMRC dont think you have paid enough.

[Sysman]

Driving licences too.

Beeb article

Absent parents who do not pay child support could have their passports and driving licences seized without having to be taken to court.

...

Other powers open to the CMEC include taking money from a bank account without going through the courts; applying for a curfew, or recovering money from a dead person's estate.

Opponents are worried that civil liberties may be undermined if bureaucrats have the power to take away passports and driving licences.

This was first reported in the The Sunday Times December 23, 2007
linky

The Lords report, published this month, says officials at the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission (CMEC), the body that will replace the Child Support Agency, should go through the magistrates’ courts. “We can see no justification for granting the CMEC the right to remove a person’s passport and identity card without reference to the courts,” it says.

That didn't work then

I'll mention the case of a mate in the early 1990s here. He'd given his missus the house and car when they divorced, in exchange for no maintenance. He did of course pay maintenance for his kids and never missed a payment, but the CSA still came after him for more brass.

Supposing the new rules had been in force and they nicked his driving licence from him, he would have lost his job too.