(1) Where an attachment of earnings order is in force, the District Court that made the order shall, on the application of the employer concerned or the liable relative or competent authority to whom payments are being made under the order, determine whether payments (or any portions thereof) to the liable relative of a particular class or description specified by the application are earnings for the purpose of the order, and the employer shall give effect to any determination for the time being in force under this section.
(2) Where an application under this section is made by the employer, he shall not incur any liability for non-compliance with the order as respects any payments (or any portions thereof) of the class or description specified by the application which are made by him to the liable relative while the application or any appeal in consequence thereof or any decision in relation to the application or appeal is pending, but the foregoing provisions of this subsection