Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020

51 (1) The Family Law Act 1986 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 2A (jurisdiction in or in connection with matrimonial proceedings or civil partnership proceedings), in subsection (2)(a), after “grant of a decree of judicial separation” insert “or the making of a judicial separation order”.

(3) In section 6 (duration and variation of Part 1 Orders), in subsection (3B)(c), for “decree of judicial separation has not yet been granted” substitute “judicial separation order”.

(4) In section 42 (general interpretation of Part 1), in subsection (2), for the words from “eighteen” to the end substitute “eighteen—

(a) in the case of proceedings for a decree of divorce, nullity or judicial separation, whether or not a decree has been granted and whether or not (in the case of a decree of divorce or nullity of marriage) that decree has been made absolute;

(b) in the case of proceedings for a divorce, nullity of marriage or judicial separation order, whether or not an order has been made and whether or not (in the case of a divorce or nullity of marriage order) that order has been made final.”

(5) In section 54 (interpretation of Part 2), in the definition of “annulment”, after “any” insert “nullity of marriage order or”.

(6) In section 58 (general provisions as to the making and effect of declarations), in subsection (6) for “grant a decree of nullity of marriage” substitute “make a nullity of marriage order”.