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Family Law Act 1986

Changes to legislation:

Family Law Act 1986 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 19 April 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Help about Changes to Legislation

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Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the affected provisions when you open the content using the Table of Contents below.

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Changes and effects yet to be applied to :

  • s. 2(1) substituted for s. 2(1)(2) by 1996 c. 27 Sch. 8 para. 37(2) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 8 Pt. I repealed (except for paras. 4, 16(1)(5)(a)(6)(b)(7)) (13.5.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), ss. 18(2)(e), 139(4))
  • s. 2A(2) words substituted by 1996 c. 27 Sch. 8 para. 37(4) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 8 Pt. I repealed (except for paras. 4, 16(1)(5)(a)(6)(b)(7)) (13.5.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), ss. 18(2)(e), 139(4))
  • s. 2A(3) words substituted by 1996 c. 27 Sch. 8 para. 37(5) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 8 Pt. I repealed (except for paras. 4, 16(1)(5)(a)(6)(b)(7)) (13.5.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), ss. 18(2)(e), 139(4))
  • s. 2A(4) words substituted by 1996 c. 27 Sch. 8 para. 37(6) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 8 Pt. I repealed (except for paras. 4, 16(1)(5)(a)(6)(b)(7)) (13.5.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), ss. 18(2)(e), 139(4))
  • s. 3 words substituted by 1996 c. 27 Sch. 8 para. 37(7) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 8 Pt. I repealed (except for paras. 4, 16(1)(5)(a)(6)(b)(7)) (13.5.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), ss. 18(2)(e), 139(4))
  • s. 5(4) words omitted by S.I. 2019/519 Sch. para. 15(3)(d) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S.I. 2019/519, Sch. para. 15(3)(d) amended (17.12.2020) by S.I. 2020/1574, regs. 1, 5(3)(f)(i))
  • s. 5(4) words substituted in earlier amending provision S.I. 2019/519, Sch. para. 15(3)(d) by S.I. 2019/1338 reg. 3(3)(f)(i) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. The affecting statutory instrument has no legal effect. It was made under a procedure which meant that it ceased to have effect 28 days after signing unless it was debated and approved in Parliament within that time. It was not debated and approved within 28 days, so it has expired with no effect.)
  • s. 6(3A) substituted for s. 6(3A)(3B) by 1996 c. 27 Sch. 8 para. 37(8) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 8 Pt. I repealed (except for paras. 4, 16(1)(5)(a)(6)(b)(7)) (13.5.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), ss. 18(2)(e), 139(4))
  • s. 14(2) word omitted by S.S.I. 2010/213 Sch. para. 3(1)(a) (This amendment comes into force on the day on which the Convention enters into force for the United Kingdom, see reg. 1(2). 1.11.2012 is the date notified in the Gazettes for the entering into force of the Convention)
  • s. 19 heading words inserted by S.I. 2005/3336 art. 11
  • s. 22(4) words omitted by S.I. 2019/519 Sch. para. 15(5)(c) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S.I. 2019/519, Sch. para. 15(5)(c) amended (17.12.2020) by S.I. 2020/1574, regs. 1, 5(3)(f)(ii))
  • s. 22(4) words substituted in earlier amending provision S.I. 2019/519, Sch. para. 15(5)(c) by S.I. 2019/1338 reg. 3(3)(f)(ii) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. The affecting statutory instrument has no legal effect. It was made under a procedure which meant that it ceased to have effect 28 days after signing unless it was debated and approved in Parliament within that time. It was not debated and approved within 28 days, so it has expired with no effect.)
  • s. 31(2) words inserted by 2020 asp 16 s. 29(3)
  • s. 42(2) words substituted by 1996 c. 27 Sch. 8 para. 37(10) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 8 Pt. I repealed (except for paras. 4, 16(1)(5)(a)(6)(b)(7)) (13.5.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), ss. 18(2)(e), 139(4))
  • s. 51(4) words inserted by 1996 c. 27 Sch. 8 para. 37(11) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 8 Pt. I repealed (except for paras. 4, 16(1)(5)(a)(6)(b)(7)) (13.5.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), ss. 18(2)(e), 139(4))
  • Sch. 1 para. 27 repealed by 1996 c. 27 Sch. 10 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Entry in Sch. 10 repealed (13.5.2014) by the virtue of Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), ss. 18(2)(j), 139(4))

Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):

Information:

You searched for provisions that are applicable to Northern Ireland. The matching provisions are highlighted below. Where no highlighting is shown the matching result may be contained within a footnote.

  1. Introductory TextNext Match

  2. Part I Child CustodyPrevious MatchNext Match

    1. Chapter I PreliminaryPrevious MatchNext Match

      1. 1. Orders to which Part I applies.Previous MatchNext Match

    2. Chapter II Jurisdiction of Courts in England and Wales

      1. 2. Jurisdiction: general.

      2. 2A. Jurisdiction in or in connection with matrimonial proceedings or civil partnership proceedings .

      3. 3. Habitual residence or presence of child.

      4. 4. Child Custody

      5. 5. Power of court to refuse application or stay proceedings.

      6. 6. Duration and variation of custody orders.

      7. 7. Interpretation of Chapter II.

    3. Chapter III Jurisdiction of Courts in Scotland

      1. 8. Jurisdiction in independent proceedings.

      2. 9. Habitual residence.

      3. 10. Presence of child.

      4. 11. Provisions supplementary to sections 9 and 10.

      5. 12. Emergency jurisdiction.

      6. 13. Jurisdiction ancillary to matrimonial proceedings.

      7. 14. Power of court to refuse application or sist proceedings.

      8. 15. Duration, variation and recall of orders.

      9. 16. Tutory and curatory.

      10. 17. Orders for delivery of child.

      11. 17A.The provisions of this Chapter are subject to ... ......

      12. 18. Interpretation of Chapter III.

    4. Chapter IV Jurisdiction of Courts in Northern IrelandPrevious MatchNext Match

      1. 19. Jurisdiction: general.Previous MatchNext Match

      2. 19A. Jurisdiction in or in connection with matrimonial proceedings or civil partnership proceedings .Previous MatchNext Match

      3. 20. Habitual residence or presence of child.Previous MatchNext Match

      4. 21. Child CustodyPrevious MatchNext Match

      5. 22. Power of court to refuse application or stay proceedings.Previous MatchNext Match

      6. 23. Duration and variation of custody orders.Previous MatchNext Match

      7. 24. Interpretation of Chapter IV.Previous MatchNext Match

    5. Chapter V Recognition and EnforcementPrevious MatchNext Match

      1. 25. Recognition of custody orders: general.Previous MatchNext Match

      2. 26. Recognition: special Scottish rule.

      3. 27. Registration.Previous MatchNext Match

      4. 28. Cancellation and variation of registration.Previous MatchNext Match

      5. 29. Enforcement.Previous MatchNext Match

      6. 30. Staying or sisting of enforcement proceedings.Previous MatchNext Match

      7. 31. Dismissal of enforcement proceedings.Previous MatchNext Match

      8. 32. Interpretation of Chapter V.Previous MatchNext Match

    6. Chapter VI Miscellaneous and SupplementalPrevious MatchNext Match

      1. 33. Power to order disclosure of child’s whereabouts.Previous MatchNext Match

      2. 34. Power to order recovery of child.Previous MatchNext Match

      3. 35. Powers to restrict removal of child from jurisdiction.Previous MatchNext Match

      4. 36. Effect of orders restricting removal.Previous MatchNext Match

      5. 37. Surrender of passports.Previous MatchNext Match

      6. 38. Automatic restriction on removal of wards of court.Previous MatchNext Match

      7. 39. Duty to furnish particulars of other proceedings.Previous MatchNext Match

      8. 40. Interpretation of Chapter VI.Previous MatchNext Match

      9. 41. Habitual residence after removal without consent, etc.Previous MatchNext Match

      10. 42. General interpretation of Part I.Previous MatchNext Match

      11. 43. Application of Part I to dependent territories.Previous MatchNext Match

  3. Part II Recognition of Divorces, Annulments and Legal SeparationsPrevious MatchNext Match

    1. Divorces, annulments and judicial separations granted in the British IslandsPrevious MatchNext Match

      1. 44. Recognition in United Kingdom of divorces, annulments and judicial separations granted in the British Islands.Previous MatchNext Match

    2. Overseas divorces, annulments and legal separationsPrevious MatchNext Match

      1. 45. Recognition in the United Kingdom of overseas divorces, annulments and legal separations.Previous MatchNext Match

      2. 46. Grounds for recognition.Previous MatchNext Match

      3. 47. Cross-proceedings and divorces following legal separations.Previous MatchNext Match

      4. 48. Proof of facts relevant to recognition.Previous MatchNext Match

    3. SupplementalPrevious MatchNext Match

      1. 49. Modifications of Part II in relation to countries comprising territories having different systems of law.Previous MatchNext Match

      2. 50. Non-recognition of divorce or annulment in another jurisdiction no bar to remarriage.Previous MatchNext Match

      3. 51. Refusal of recognition.Previous MatchNext Match

      4. 52. Provisions as to divorces, annulments etc. obtained before commencement of Part II.Previous MatchNext Match

      5. 53. Effect of divorces and annulments on wills.

      6. 54. Interpretation of Part II.Previous MatchNext Match

  4. Part III Declarations of Status

    1. 55. Declarations as to marital status.

    2. 55A. Declarations of parentage.

    3. 56. Declarations as to parentage, legitimacy or legitimation.

    4. 57. Declarations as to adoptions effected overseas.

    5. 58. General provisions as to the making and effect of declarations.

    6. 59. Provisions relating to the Attorney-General.

    7. 60. Supplementary provisions as to declarations.

    8. 61. Abolition of right to petition for jactitation of marriage.

    9. 62. Repeal of Greek Marriages Act 1884.

    10. 63. Interpretation of Part III.

  5. Part IV Miscellaneous and GeneralPrevious MatchNext Match

    1. 64.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    2. 65. Amendments of Child Abduction Act 1984.

    3. 66. Amendments of Child Abduction (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.Previous MatchNext Match

  6. Part IV Miscellaneous and GeneralPrevious MatchNext Match

    1. 67. Amendments of Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985.Previous MatchNext Match

    2. 68. Minor and consequential amendments, repeals and savings.Previous MatchNext Match

    3. 69. Short title, commencement and extent.Previous MatchNext Match

  7. SCHEDULES

    1. SCHEDULE 1Previous MatchNext Match

      Minor and Consequential Amendments ActsPrevious MatchNext Match

      1. ACTS Previous MatchNext Match

        1. 1. Minor and Consequential Amendments Acts

        2. The Guardianship of Infants Act 1886 (c. 27)Previous MatchNext Match

          1. 2. Minor and Consequential Amendments ActsPrevious MatchNext Match

        3. The Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1907 (c. 51)

          1. 3.In section 6 of the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1907,...

        4. The Matrimonial Proceedings (Children) Act 1958 (c. 40)

          1. 4.In section 8(1) of the Matrimonial Proceedings (Children) Act 1958—...

          2. 5.In section 9(1) of the said Act of 1958, for...

          3. 6.In section 10(1) of the said Act of 1958, for...

          4. 7.In section 11(1) of that Act, for the words from...

        5. The Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1966 (c. 19)

          1. 8.In section 8(6) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland)...

        6. The Domestic and Appellate Proceedings (Restriction of Publicity) Act 1968 (c. 63)

          1. 9.In section 2 of the Domestic and Appellate Proceedings (Restriction...

        7. The Guardianship of Minors Act 1971 (c. 3)

          1. 10. Minor and Consequential Amendments Acts

          2. 11. Minor and Consequential Amendments Acts

          3. 12.In section 17 of that Act subsection (2) shall cease...

        8. The Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (c. 18)

          1. 13. Minor and Consequential Amendments Acts

          2. 14.In section 47 of that Act (declarations in respect of...

          3. 15.In section 50 of that Act (matrimonial causes rules)—

        9. The Guardianship Act 1973 (c. 29)

          1. 16. Minor and Consequential Amendments Acts

          2. 17. Minor and Consequential Amendments Acts

          3. 18.In section 10(3) of that Act, for the words from...

        10. The Children Act 1975 (c. 72)

          1. 19.In section 33(1) of the Children Act 1975 the words...

          2. 20. Minor and Consequential Amendments Acts

        11. The Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977 (c. 15)

          1. 21.In proviso (ii) to section 3(5) of the Marriage (Scotland)...

          2. 22.In section 26(2) of the said Act of 1977 there...

        12. The Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates’ Courts Act 1978 (c. 22)

          1. 23. Minor and Consequential Amendments Acts

          2. 24.In section 30(1) of the said Act of 1978, after...

        13. The Senior Courts Act 1981 (c. 54)

          1. 25.In section 26(b) of the Senior Courts Act 1981 the...

          2. 26.In paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to that Act (business...

        14. The Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 (c. 42)

          1. 27.In section 32 of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act...

        15. The Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985 (c. 60)Previous MatchNext Match

          1. 28.In section 9 of the Child Abduction and Custody Act...Previous MatchNext Match

          2. 29.In section 20(2) of the said Act of 1985 (suspension...Previous MatchNext Match

          3. 30.In section 27(1) of the said Act of 1985 (interpretation),...Previous MatchNext Match

          4. 31.. . . . . . . . . ....Previous MatchNext Match

      2. ORDERS Previous MatchNext Match

        1. The Matrimonial Causes (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 S.I. 1978/1045 (N.I. 15)Previous MatchNext Match

          1. 32. Minor and Consequential Amendments ActsPrevious MatchNext Match

        2. The Domestic Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Order 1980 S.I. 1980/563 (N.I. 5)Previous MatchNext Match

          1. 33. Minor and Consequential Amendments ActsPrevious MatchNext Match

          2. 34.In Article 32(1) of that Order, for the words “Without...Previous MatchNext Match

    2. SCHEDULE 2Previous MatchNext Match

      RepealsPrevious MatchNext Match

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