(1)This Act may be cited as the Family Law Act 1986.
(2)Sections 64 to 67 of this Act shall come into force at the end of the period of two months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.
(3)Subject to subsection (2) above, this Act shall come into force on such day as the relevant Minister or Ministers may by order made by statutory instrument appoint; and different days may be so appointed for different provisions or for different purposes.
(4)In subsection (3) above “the relevant Minister or Ministers” means—
(a)in the case of an order which appoints a day only for Part III of this Act and its associated amendments and repeals, the Lord Chancellor;
(b)in any other case, the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Advocate.
(5)The following provisions of this Act, namely—
Chapter II of Part I;
section 53;
Part III;
sections 64 and 65;
section 68 (3); and
paragraphs 9 to 17, 19 and 23 to 27 of Schedule 1 and section 68(1) so far as relating to those paragraphs,
extend to England and Wales only.
(6)The following provisions of this Act, namely—
Chapter III of Part I;
section 26; and
paragraphs 1, 3 to 8, 18, 21 and 22 of Schedule 1 and section 68(1) so far as relating to those paragraphs,
extend to Scotland only; and sections 34 and 38 of this Act do not extend to Scotland.
(7)The following provisions of this Act, namely—
Chapter IV of Part I;
F1. . .
section 68(4); and
paragraphs 2 and 32 to 34 of Schedule 1 and section 68(1) so far as relating to those paragraphs,
extend to Northern Ireland only; and paragraph 20 of Schedule 1 to this Act and section 68(1) of this Act so far as relating to that paragraph do not extend to Northern Ireland.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 69(7) repealed (N.I.) (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/755 (N.I. 2), art. 185(2), Sch. 10; S.R. 1996/297, art. 2(2)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Power of appointment conferred by s. 69(3) partly exercised: 4.4.1988 appointed for all the prospective provisions of the Act except Sch. 1 para. 10(3) by S.I. 1988/375, art. 2