2.12.—(1) Where, before the hearing of a petition alleging 2 years' separation coupled with the respondent’s consent to a decree being granted, the respondent wishes to indicate to the court that he consents to the grant of a decree, he must do so by giving the Master a notice to that effect signed by the respondent personally.
For the purposes of this paragraph an acknowledgement of service containing a statement that the respondent consents to the grant of a decree shall be treated as such a notice if the acknowledgement is signed—
(a)in the case of a respondent acting in person, by the respondent, or
(b)in the case of a respondent represented by a solicitor, by the respondent as well as by the solicitor.
(2) A respondent to a petition which alleges any such fact as is mentioned in paragraph (1) may give notice to the court either that he does not consent to a decree being granted or that he withdraws any consent which he has already given.
Where any such notice is given and none of the other facts mentioned in Article 3(2) of the Order of 1978 is alleged, the proceedings on the petition shall be stayed and the Master shall thereupon give notice of the stay to all parties.