(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations make provision in connection with the coming into force on 1st March 2001 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1347/2000 of 29th May 2000 on jurisdiction and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and in matters of parental responsibility for children of both spouses. The Council Regulation makes provision for common rules on jurisdiction in matrimonial proceedings to apply throughout the Member States of the European Union (other than in Denmark, which has decided not to participate in the Regulation).
Statutory provisions operative in Scotland are amended where they would otherwise be inconsistent with that directly applicable Regulation. Amendments are made to the Domicile and Matrimonial Proceedings Act 1973 (regulations 2 and 6), the Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985 (regulation 3), the Family Law Act 1986 (regulation 4), and the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 (regulation 5).