Reed Smith represents single parent family charity on intervention in judicial review of Child Maintenance Service failures

The claimants complain of systemic problems with the CMS that have significant and prolonged financial effect and push them into poverty.

As third-party interveners, Gingerbread aim to assist the court by providing information and evidence on how the CMS is working for single parents. The charity regularly hears from people who are being seriously let down by the CMS and are owed thousands of pounds from their child’s non-resident parent. In Gingerbread’s view, all too often the CMS is failing to take enforcement action to recover the maintenance arrears.

Parents using the statutory scheme through the CMS have no direct right to take enforcement action against non-paying parents in respect of the child maintenance owed. Only the CMS is permitted to do this. When the CMS does not enforce payment, the consequence is that children are deprived of necessary financial support.

Victoria Benson, Chief Executive of Gingerbread, said: "Gingerbread is delighted to be supported by Reed Smith on our intervention. We welcome the opportunity to share our knowledge and expertise about the Child Maintenance Service. Too many single parents and their children have been let down by the CMS and many are facing hardship or being pushed into poverty as a result.”

Michael Skrein, Reed Smith’s EMEA Head of Responsible Business, comments: “The case concerns access to justice and other vital human rights. Reed Smith is pleased to provide pro bono support to Gingerbread in its intervention in this important judicial review.

The final hearing of this judicial review will be heard in the Administrative Court at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on 3 and 4 October 2023.