Family Law Act 1996

24 Interpretation of Part II etc

(1) In this Part—

• “the 1973 Act” means the [1973 c. 18.] Matrimonial Causes Act 1973;

• “child of the family” and“the court” have the same meaning as in the 1973 Act;

• “divorce order” has the meaning given in section 2(1)(a);

• “divorce proceedings” is to be read with section 20;

• “marital proceedings” has the meaning given in section 20;

• “non-molestation order” has the meaning given by section 42(1);

• “occupation order” has the meaning given by section 39;

• “order preventing divorce” has the meaning given in section 10(2);

• “party”, in relation to a marriage, means one of the parties to the marriage;

• “period for reflection and consideration” has the meaning given in section 7;

• “separation order” has the meaning given in section 2(1)(b);

• “separation proceedings” is to be read with section 20;

• “statement” means a statement of marital breakdown;

• “statement of marital breakdown” has the meaning given in section 6(1).

(2) For the purposes of this Part, references to the withdrawal of an application are references, in relation to an application made jointly by both parties, to its withdrawal by a notice given, in accordance with rules of court—

(a) jointly by both parties; or

(b) separately by each of them.

(3) Where only one party gives such a notice of withdrawal, in relation to a joint application, the application shall be treated as if it had been made by the other party alone.