REMO

Introduction

Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders or REMO is the process by which maintenance orders made by UK courts on behalf of UK residents can be registered and enforced by courts or other authorities in other countries against people resident there.

This is a reciprocal arrangement governed by international conventions, which means that foreign maintenance orders in favour of individuals abroad can likewise be registered and enforced by UK courts against UK residents. The precise nature of reciprocity available between the UK and another jurisdiction depends on the convention or agreement to which the other country is a signatory.

How to apply
The role of the REMO Section
UK legislation
Conventions and other Agreements
List of REMO reciprocating countries

How to apply

A UK resident who wishes to apply to obtain maintenance from a person overseas should approach

their local magistrates' court (or county court where the order was made) if they have an existing court order for maintenance; or
their local magistrates' court if there is no existing order

They may apply for their order to be enforced in the country where the payer resides. Procedures also exist to enable an applicant to ask the foreign authorities to create an order for maintenance on their behalf. There is no need for the applicant to engage a solicitor. Court staff will help the applicant and will forward the application to the relevant authority. The authority will check that the application is in order and send it to the foreign authority or court for registration and enforcement against the person living there.

The role of the REMO Section in England and Wales

The REMO Section of the Official Solicitor & Public Trustee is the authority in England & Wales for transmitting and receiving applications for maintenance enforcement if the absent parent lives abroad. It also takes the lead in REMO policy matters for the UK as a whole, in consultation with colleagues at the Scottish Government and the Northern Ireland Court Service.

The role of the REMO Section in Scotland

The Scottish Government handles REMO applications between Scotland and foreign jurisdictions. If you live in Scotland read "How the Scottish Government can help with collecting maintenance" [PDF 103KB]

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The role of the REMO Section in Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Court Service handles REMO applications between Northern Ireland and foreign jurisdictions.

Enforcement

The application abroad will be enforced according to the laws that prevail in the foreign country. The UK authorities have no power to compel foreign courts or authorities to enforce maintenance orders, or to set a timescale for enforcement, as the system is based on mutual agreement. Every effort is made, however, to encourage foreign agencies to abide by their countries' international obligations.

Generally, detailed legal advice to applicants or others is not provided: this is the responsibility of the courts. However, general procedural guidance can be given.

Contact REMO

The REMO Section of the Official Solicitor & Public Trustee can be contacted by the following means:

Telephone: 0845 345 5303
Fax: 020 7911 7030
website: www.officialsolicitor.gov.uk/os/remo.htm

UK legislation

The Maintenance Orders (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1972 is the primary legislation under which the REMO process operates in the UK.

There have also been several Statutory Instruments since 1972 to adjust the precise arrangements between the UK and other countries, or to allow additional jurisdictions to be considered reciprocating countries.

Conventions and other Agreements

The UK is a signatory to several international conventions on maintenance obligations, such as

the 1956 United Nations Convention on the Recovery Abroad of Maintenance;
the 1968 Brussels Convention on Jurisdiction and the Enforcement of Judgements in Civil and Commercial Matters; and
the 1973 Hague Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Decisions Relating to Maintenance Obligations

In addition, the UK has Agreements for maintenance enforcement with most members of the Commonwealth, with the Republic of Ireland, and with most of the United States of America.

List of REMO reciprocating countries

A: A; Algeria; Anguilla; Antigua & Barbuda; Austria; Australia