CHILD SUPPORT REGISTRAR & BELL

The matter before Judge Scarlett concerned a dispute between the Child Support Registrar and a respondent, Bell, regarding a significant child support debt. The Registrar sought orders for the recovery of this debt and for measures to secure its payment.

The court was required to determine the quantum of the outstanding child support debt owed by the respondent and to consider appropriate orders for its recovery and enforcement. This included whether to grant injunctive relief to prevent the respondent from dealing with his assets and whether to impose charges over those assets to secure the debt.

Judge Scarlett ordered the respondent to pay the applicant the sum of $25,886.45, representing the child support debt, along with costs fixed at $3,058.00, to be paid within 60 days. To secure this total debt, the court imposed restraints on the respondent assigning, transferring, encumbering, or dealing with his interests in specified real property and personal property, including two vehicles. These interests were charged in favour of the applicant, who was granted liberty to lodge a caveat over the real property. The orders stipulated that if the respondent defaulted on payment or dealt with the secured property in breach of the orders, the total outstanding debt would immediately become due and payable. The court also noted that these payments were in addition to ongoing child support liabilities and that the applicant could pursue enforcement under the Rules if default occurred.