Law Reform (Parent and Child) (Scotland) Act 1986

1 Legal equality of children

(1) The fact that a person's parents are not or have not been married to one another shall be left out of account in establishing the legal relationship between the person and any other person; and accordingly any such relationship shall have effect as if the parents were or had been married to one another.

(2) Subject to subsection (4) below, any reference (however expressed) in any enactment or deed to any relative shall, unless the contrary intention appears in the enactment or deed, be construed in accordance with subsection (1) above.

(3) Subsection (1) above is subject to the following provisions of this Act—

(a) subsection (4) below ;

(b) section 2(l)(b); and

(c) section 9(1).

(4) Nothing in this section shall apply to the construction or effect of—

(a) any enactment passed or made before the commencement of this Act unless the enactment is amended by Schedule 1 to this Act and, as so amended, otherwise provides;

(b) any deed executed before such commencement;

(c) any reference (however expressed) in any deed executed after such commencement to a legitimate or illegitimate person or relationship.