CHAPTER IIJURISDICTION IN MATRIMONIAL MATTERS AND IN MATTERS OF PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

SECTION 3 Common provisions

Article 17Seising of a court

A court shall be deemed to be seised:

  1. (a)

    at the time when the document instituting the proceedings or an equivalent document is lodged with the court, provided that the applicant has not subsequently failed to take the steps he or she was required to take to have service effected on the respondent;

  2. (b)

    if the document has to be served before being lodged with the court, at the time when it is received by the authority responsible for service, provided that the applicant has not subsequently failed to take the steps he or she was required to take to have the document lodged with the court; or

  3. (c)

    if the proceedings are instituted of the court's own motion, at the time when the decision to institute the proceedings is taken by the court, or, where such a decision is not required, at the time when the case is registered by the court.