217.This section inserts sections 32M and 32N into the Child Support Act 1991. This introduces a new liability order which will be made administratively by the Commission. The order will effectively certify the amount owed by the non-resident parent, and will be the first step to enforcement action (e.g. bailiff action). There will no longer be a need to apply to the courts for a liability order.

218.Section 32M enables the Commission to make an administrative liability order against a non-resident parent if they have failed to pay an amount of child support maintenance due.

- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/6/notes/division/7...

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Note added at 1 hr (2024-02-11 11:23:32 GMT)
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1. Following the Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023 receiving royal assent in July 2023, the Government proposes to bring into force existing powers that allow the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) to make an administrative liability order against a person who has failed to pay child maintenance and is in arrears. A liability order is legal recognition of the debt and is required before the CMS can take certain enforcement actions against non-compliant parents to enforce those arrears.

2. The administrative liability order will replace the current requirement for the CMS to apply to the court for a liability order, which is an outdated process and can take a long time. Introducing a simpler administrative process will enable the CMS to take faster action against those paying parents who actively avoid their responsibilities and will get money to children more quickly

- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6515791f7c2c4... page 4