The Family Proceedings (Civil Partnership: Staying of Proceedings) Rules 2005

Discretionary stays of civil partnership proceedings

4.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies where, before the beginning of the trial in any civil partnership proceedings before the court which are continuing, it appears to the court—

(a) that any relevant proceedings are continuing in another jurisdiction, and

(b) that the balance of fairness (including convenience) as between the parties to the civil partnership makes it appropriate for the proceedings in that jurisdiction to be disposed of before further steps are taken—

(i) in the proceedings before the court, or

(ii) in those proceedings so far as they consist of a particular kind of civil partnership proceedings.

(2) The court may, if it thinks fit, order that—

(a) the proceedings before it, or

(b) those proceedings, so far as they consist of a particular kind of civil partnership proceedings,

be stayed.

(3) In considering the balance of fairness and convenience for the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), the court must have regard to all factors appearing to be relevant, including the convenience of witnesses and any delay or expense which may result from the proceedings being stayed, or not being stayed.

(4) In the case of any proceedings so far as they are proceedings for a dissolution order, the court must not exercise the power conferred on it by paragraph (2) when an application under rule 3 is pending in respect of the proceedings.

(5) Where, after the beginning of the trial in any civil partnership proceedings which are continuing before the court, the court makes an order under paragraph (6), paragraphs (1) and (2) of this rule have effect in relation to those proceedings, and to the other proceedings by reference to which that order is made, as if the words “before the beginning of the trial” in paragraph (1) were omitted.

(6) The order referred to in paragraph (5) is an order declaring that the court is satisfied that a person has failed to perform the duty imposed on him in respect of the proceedings by rule 2.

(7) No action lies in respect of the failure of a person to comply with rule 2.