(1) For the purposes of this section and sections 177 to 186 -

"antecedent order" means an order under section 175;

"attachment of earnings order" means an order directing that an employer deduct from the maintenance debtor’s earnings, at the times specified in the order, periodical deductions of the appropriate amounts specified in the order, having regard to the normal deduction rate and the protected earnings rate;

"employer" includes a trustee of a pension scheme under which the maintenance debtor is receiving periodical pension benefits;

"maintenance creditor" in relation to an attachment of earnings order, means the qualified cohabitant who applied for the order;

"maintenance debtor" means a qualified cohabitant who is required by an antecedent order to make payments;