As a member of the Law Society family law panel, I have encountered many clients, and their children, who have been sadly let down by the Child Support Agency (CSA).

The most recent case, where I acted for the wife, involved a husband who had three children with his wife and several other illegitimate children. Although involved for more than a year, the CSA had made no assessment (the husband is self-employed) and because his relative worked for the CSA, it was designated a 'sensitive case' and was to be dealt with 'manually'.


However, there are no staff to carry out such activities at the local CSA. A representative has told our client he doubts an assessment will ever be carried out in this case. Meanwhile, my client may well have to pay her husband a lump sum, we are close to a final ancillary relief order, out of the family assets notwithstanding he is not supporting his children.


The removal of the courts' power to make maintenance orders in favour of or to children in the vast majority cases was the worst day's work any government ever did. Why not, in cases where there are delays in CSA assessment, for whatever reason, give the court the power to make, and enforce, maintenance orders, even if only on an interim basis, in respect of children? At least some money would find its way to those who need it.



Ian Ashley-Smith, Donaldson Dunstall, Bexhill, East Sussex