This Act may be cited as the Matrimonial Proceedings and Property Act 1970.

The following provisions of this Act, that is to say, this section, sections 33, 36 to 41 and 42(2), so far as it repeals section 20(3) and (4) of the [1965 c. 72.] Matrimonial Causes Act 1965, shall come into force on 1st August 1970 and the other provisions of this Act shall come into force on 1st January 1971.

Any reference in any provision of this Act, or in any enactment amended by a provision of this Act, to the commencement of this Act shall be construed as a reference to the date on which that provision comes into force.

Subject to the provisions of section 12(2) of this Act, this Act does not extend to Scotland or Northern Ireland.