Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020

General

6 Minor and consequential amendments

(1) The Schedule to this Act contains minor and consequential amendments.

(2) The Lord Chancellor may by regulations made by statutory instrument make provision that is consequential on any provision made by this Act.

(3) Regulations under this section—

(a) may include transitional or saving provision;

(b) may amend, repeal or revoke any provision of or made under primary legislation.

(4) The provision referred to in subsection (3)(b) does not include a provision of legislation passed or made after the end of the session of Parliament in which this Act is passed.

(5) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section that amend, repeal or revoke primary legislation may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

(6) Any other statutory instrument containing regulations under this section is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(7) In this section “primary legislation” means—

(a) an Act;

(b) a Measure or Act of the National Assembly for Wales;

(c) an Act of the Scottish Parliament;

(d) Northern Ireland legislation.

7 Extent

(1) This Act extends to England and Wales only, subject to subsections (2) and (3).

(2) Sections 6 to 9 also extend to Scotland and Northern Ireland.

(3) An amendment or repeal made by the Schedule has the same extent as the provision amended or repealed.

8 Commencement and transitional provision

(1) The provisions of this Act come into force on the commencement date, subject to subsections (2) and (3).

(2) Sections 6(2) to (7), 7 and 9 and this section come into force on the day on which this Act is passed.

(3) The following sections come into force on the day on which this Act is passed so far as they confer power to make provision by Family Procedure Rules—

(a) section 1;

(b) section 3.

(4) Section 1 and paragraphs 2 to 11, 17, 19, 20(3), 26, 28, 30, 31 and 33(a) of the Schedule do not apply in relation to proceedings for divorce that started before the commencement date.

(5) Section 2 and paragraphs 16, 19, 20(3), 26, 28, 30, 31, 33(a) and 51(3) of the Schedule do not apply in relation to proceedings for judicial separation that started before the commencement date.

(6) Paragraphs 12 to 14, 19, 20(3), 26, 28, 30, 33(b), 51(6) and 56 of the Schedule do not apply in relation to proceedings for nullity of marriage that started before the commencement date.

(7) Sections 3 to 5 and Part 2 of the Schedule do not apply to proceedings for a dissolution, nullity, presumption of death or separation order that started before the commencement date.

(8) In this section “the commencement date” means such day as the Lord Chancellor may by regulations appoint.

(9) Different days may be appointed for different purposes.

(10) Regulations under this section are to be made by statutory instrument.

9 Short title

This Act may be cited as the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020.