Territorial extent and application
- Section 6 sets out the territorial extent of the Act, that is the legal jurisdiction in which the Act is intended to form part of the law. The extent of an Act can be different from its application. Application is about where an Act will have a practical effect.
- Subject to subsections (2) and (3), the extent and application of the Act is England and Wales only. Subsection (2) provides that the amendment made by Section 4(3) and Sections 5-8 also extend to Scotland and Northern Ireland. Section 4(3) amends section 217(2) of the CPA 2004 and the recognition of an overseas relationship where one of the parties was domiciled in England and Wales when the overseas relationship was registered. This amendment is to align the amendments at sections 1 and 3 of the Act in relation to a reserved matter (marriage and civil partnership in England and Wales). Subsection (2) also provides that section 5 relating to the power to make consequential amendments, section 6 itself, section 7 on commencement, section 8 on saving provision and section 9 containing the short title, all form part of the law of the United Kingdom.
- See the table in Annex A for a summary of the position regarding territorial extent and application in the United Kingdom.
