HL Deb 17 May 2004 vol 661 cc303-4GC

26 (1) The court may specify in a periodical payments order made under paragraph 2(1)(a) or Part 3 in favour of a civil partner such term as it thinks fit, except that the term must not—

  1. (a) begin before the date of the making of the application for the order, or
  2. (b) extend beyond the death of either of the civil partners.

(2) If—

  1. (a) a periodical payments order is made under paragraph 2(1)(a) or Part 3 in favour of one of the civil partners, and
  2. (b) the civil partnership is subsequently dissolved or annulled but the order continues in force,
the periodical payments order ceases to have effect (regardless of anything in it) on the formation of a subsequent civil partnership or marriage by that civil partner, except in relation to any arrears due under the order on the date of that event.

(3) If a periodical payments order ceases to have effect by virtue of sub-paragraph (2) on the formation of a subsequent civil partnership or marriage by a person, that person must give notice of the subsequent civil partnership or marriage to the court.

(4) Any person who without reasonable excuse fails to give notice as required by sub-paragraph (3) is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.