2. Interpretation
In this Act—
“Court”, in relation to an attachment of earnings order, means a district court established under the District Courts Act or the Family Court established under the Family Court Act or the High Court established under the Supreme Court Order;
“debtor”, in relation to an attachment of earnings order or to proceedings in which a court has power to make an attachment of earnings order, or to proceedings arising out of such an order, means the person by whom payment is required by the maintenance order to be made;
“earnings”, in relation to a debtor, means any sums payable to a person—
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(a) by way of wages or salary, including fees, bonus, commission, overtime pay or other emoluments payable in addition to wages or salary or payable under a contract of service; or
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(b) by way of pension, including an annuity in respect of past services, whether or not the services were rendered to the person paying the annuity, and including periodical payments by way of compensation for the loss, abolition or relinquishment, or any diminution in the emoluments of any office or employment;
“employer”, in relation to an attachment of earnings order means the person who is required by the order to make deductions from earnings paid by him or her to the debtor;
“maintenance order” includes any maintenance order made under any legislation specified in Schedule 1 and includes such an order which has been discharged;
“maintenance payments” means payments required to be made under a maintenance order;
“Minister” means the Minister for legal affairs.