Family Law Act 1996

Family Law Act 1996 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 18 September 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date.

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Changes and effects yet to be applied to :

• s. 5(3) 7(9) restricted by 1996 c. 27s. 19(5)Sch. 3para. 8 (replacing1973 c 45 Sch. 1 para.010(2)withpara. 10(1A)) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 3 para. 8 repealed (13.5.2014) without ever being in force by 2014 c. 6, s. 18(1))
• s. 65(3) word omitted by 2013 c. 22Sch. 11para. 143(a)
• s. 65(3) words inserted by 2007 c. 20Sch. 2para. 3(3)(a) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 2 para. 3(3) repealed (22.4.2014) by 2013 c. 22, s. 61(3), Sch. 11 para. 210 Table; S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(e) (with art. 3 and S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11))
• s. 65(4) words inserted by 2007 c. 20Sch. 2para. 3(3)(b) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 2 para. 3(3) repealed (22.4.2014) by 2013 c. 22, s. 61(3), Sch. 11 para. 210 Table; S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(e) (with art. 3 and S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11))
• s. 65(4) words omitted by 2013 c. 22Sch. 11para. 143(b)
• Sch. 8 para. 7 omitted by 2013 c. 13Sch. 2para. 4
• Sch. 8 para. 53 repealed by 2008 c. 17Sch. 16
• Sch. 8 para. 59 and cross-heading repealed by 2008 c. 17Sch. 16

Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):

• s. 63(2)(k) inserted by 2021 c. 17s. 52(2)

1. Introductory Text
2. Part I Principles of Parts II and III
   1. 1.The general principles underlying section 22.
   1. Court orders
      1. 2.Divorce and separation.
      2. 3.Circumstances in which orders are made.
      3. 4.Conversion of separation order into divorce order.
      1. 5.Marital breakdown.
      2. 6.Statement of marital breakdown.
      1. 7.Period for reflection and consideration.
      2. 8.Attendance at information meetings.
      3. 9.Arrangements for the future.
      1. 10.Hardship: orders preventing divorce.
      1. 11.Welfare of children.
      1. 12.Rules about procedure
      1. 13.Directions with respect to mediation.
      2. 14.Adjournments.
      1. 15.Financial arrangements.
      2. 16.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
      3. 17.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
      4. 18.Grounds for financial provision orders in magistrates’ courts.
      1. 19.Jurisdiction in relation to divorce and separation.
      2. 20.Time when proceedings for divorce or separation begin.
      1. 21.Intestacy: effect of separation.
      1. 22.Funding for marriage support services.
      2. 23.Provision of marriage counselling.
      1. 24.Interpretation of Part II etc.
      2. 25.Connected proceedings.
      1. 26.Legal aid for mediation in family matters.
      2. 27.Provision and availability of mediation.
      3. 28.Payment for mediation.
      4. 29.Mediation and civil legal aid.
      1. Rights to occupy matrimonial or civil partnership home
         1. 30.Rights concerning home where one spouse or civil partner has no estate, etc.
         2. 31.Effect of home rights as charge on dwelling-house.
         3. 32.Further provisions relating to home rights.
         1. 33.Occupation orders where applicant has estate or interest etc. or has home rights.
         2. 34.Effect of order under s. 33 where rights are charge on dwelling-house.
         3. 35.One former spouse or former civil partner with no existing right to occupy.
         4. 36.One cohabitant or former cohabitant with no existing right to occupy.
         5. 37.Neither spouse or civil partner entitled to occupy.
         6. 38.Neither cohabitant or former cohabitant entitled to occupy.
         7. 39.Supplementary provisions.
         8. 40.Additional provisions that may be included in certain occupation orders.
         9. 41.Additional considerations if parties are cohabitants or former cohabitants.
         1. 42.Non-molestation orders.
         2. 42A.Offence of breaching non-molestation order
         1. 43.Leave of court required for applications by children under sixteen.
         2. 44.Evidence of agreement to marry or form a civil partnership.
         3. 45.Ex parte orders.
         4. 46.Undertakings.
         5. 47.Arrest for breach of order.
         6. 48.Remand for medical examination and report.
         7. 49.Variation and discharge of orders.
         1. 50.Power of magistrates’ court to suspend execution of committal order.
         2. 51.Power of magistrates’ court to order hospital admission or guardianship.
         1. 52.Amendments of Children Act 1989.
         1. 53.Transfer of certain tenancies.
         1. 54.Dwelling-house subject to mortgage.
         2. 55.Actions by mortgagees: joining connected persons as parties.
         3. 56.Actions by mortgagees: service of notice on certain persons.
         1. 57.Jurisdiction of courts.
         2. 58.Contempt proceedings.
         3. 59.Magistrates’ courts.
         4. 60.Provision for third parties to act on behalf of victims of domestic violence.
         5. 61.Appeals.
         1. 62.Meaning of “cohabitants”, “relevant child” and “associated persons”.
         2. 63.Interpretation of Part IV.
         1. Forced marriage protection orders
            1. 63A.Forced marriage protection orders
            2. 63B.Contents of orders
            3. 63C.Applications and other occasions for making orders
            4. 63CA.Offence of breaching order
            1. 63D.Ex parte orders: Part 4A
            2. 63E.Undertakings instead of orders
            3. 63F.Duration of orders
            4. 63G.Variation of orders and their discharge
            1. 63H.Attachment of powers of arrest to orders
            2. 63I.Arrest under attached powers
            3. 63J.Arrest under warrant
            4. 63K.Remand: general
            5. 63L.Remand: medical examination and report
            1. 63M.Jurisdiction of courts: Part 4A
            2. 63N.Power to extend jurisdiction to magistrates' courts
            3. 63O.Contempt proceedings: Part 4A
            4. 63P.Appeals: Part 4A
            1. 63Q.Guidance
            2. 63R.Other protection or assistance against forced marriage
            3. 63S.Interpretation of Part 4A
            1. 64.Provision for separate representation for children.
            2. 65.Rules, regulations and orders.
            3. 66.Consequential amendments, transitional provisions and repeals.
            4. 67.Short title, commencement and extent.
            1. SCHEDULE 1Arrangements for the future
               1. The first exemption
                  1. 1.Arrangements for the future
                  1. 2.Arrangements for the future
                  1. 3.Arrangements for the future
                  1. 4.Arrangements for the future
                  1. 5.Arrangements for the future
                  1. 6.Arrangements for the future
                  1. 7.Arrangements for the future
                  1. 8.Arrangements for the future
                  1. 9.Arrangements for the future
                  1. Introductory
                     1. 1.Financial provision
                     1. 2.Financial provision
                     1. 3.Financial provision
                     1. 4.Financial provision
                     1. 5.Financial provision
                     1. 6.Financial provision
                     1. 6A.Financial provision
                     1. 7.Financial provision
                     1. 8.Financial provision
                     1. Introductory
                        1. 1.Stay of proceedings
                        1. 2.Stay of proceedings
                        2. 3.Stay of proceedings
                        3. 4.Stay of proceedings
                        1. 5.Stay of proceedings
                        1. 6.Stay of proceedings
                        1. 7.Stay of proceedings
                        1. 8.Stay of proceedings
                        1. 9.Stay of proceedings
                        1. Interpretation
                           1. 1.In this Schedule “ legal representative ” means a person.
                           1. 2.Where one spouse or civil partner is entitled by virtue.
                           1. 3.(1) Where one spouse or civil partner is entitled by.
                           1. 4.(1) Where a spouse’s or civil partner’s home rights are.
                           1. 5.(1) A spouse or civil partner entitled to home rights.
                           1. 6.A spouse or civil partner entitled by virtue of section.
                           1. Interpretation
                              1. 1.In this Schedule “the court” means the High Court or.
                              1. 2.(1) Where a court has power to remand a person.
                              1. 3.(1) If the court is satisfied that any person who.
                              1. 4.Where under paragraph 2(1)(b)(ii) the court fixes the amount in.
                              1. 1.After section 38 of the Children Act 1989 insert— Power.
                              2. 2.In section 39 of the Children Act 1989 (discharge and.
                              3. 3.After section 44 of the Children Act 1989 insert— Power.
                              4. 4.In section 45 of the Children Act 1989 (duration of.
                              5. 5.In section 105(1) of the Children Act 1989 (interpretation), after.
                              1. Part I General
                                 1. Interpretation
                                    1. 1.In this Schedule— “civil partner”, except in paragraph 2, includes.
                                    1. 2.(1) This paragraph applies if one spouse or civil partner.
                                    2. 3.(1) This paragraph applies if one cohabitant is entitled, either.
                                    3. 4.The court shall not make a Part II order unless.
                                    1. 5.In determining whether to exercise its powers under Part II.
                                    1. References to entitlement to occupy
                                       1. 6.References in this Part of this Schedule to a spouse.
                                       1. 7.(1) If a spouse , civil partner or cohabitant is.
                                       1. 8.(1) This paragraph applies if the spouse , civil partner.
                                       1. 9.(1) This paragraph applies if the spouse , civil partner.
                                       1. Compensation
                                          1. 10.(1) If the court makes a Part II order, it.
                                          1. 11.(1) If the court makes a Part II order, it.
                                          1. 12.The date specified in a Part II order as the.
                                          1. 13.(1) If after the making of an order dissolving or.
                                          1. 13A.In paragraphs 2 to 13— (a) a reference to a.
                                          1. 14.(1) Rules of court shall be made requiring the court.
                                          1. 15.(1) If a spouse or civil partner is entitled to.
                                          1. Part I Amendments connected with Part II
                                             1. The Wills Act 1837 (c. 26)
                                                1. 1.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                1. 2.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                1. 3.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                1. 4.The 1973 Act is amended as follows.
                                                2. 5.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                3. 6.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                4. 7.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                5. 8.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                6. 9.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                7. 10.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                8. 11.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                9. 11A.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                10. 12.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                11. 13.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                12. 14.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                13. 15.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                14. 16.(1) Section 31 (variation etc. of orders) is amended as.
                                                15. 16A.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                16. 17.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                17. 18.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                18. 19.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                19. 20.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                20. 21.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                21. 22.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                22. 23.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                23. 24.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                24. 25.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                25. 25A.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                1. 26.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                1. 27.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                1. 28.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                1. 29.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                1. 30.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                1. 31.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                1. 32.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                1. 33.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                1. 34.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                1. 35.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                1. 36.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                1. 37.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                1. 38.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                1. 39.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                1. 40.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                1. 41.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                1. 42.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                1. 43.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                1. 43A.. . . . . . . . . .
                                                1. The Legal Aid Act 1988 (c. 34)
                                                   1. 44.(1) The 1988 Act is amended as follows.
                                                   1. The Land Registration Act 1925 (c. 21)
                                                      1. 45.In section 64 of the Land Registration Act 1925 (certificates.
                                                      1. 46.In section 1(6A) of the Land Charges Act 1972 (cases.
                                                      2. 47.In section 2(7) of that Act (Class F land charge).
                                                      1. 48.(1) Section 29A of the Land Compensation Act 1973 (spouses.
                                                      1. 49.In section 65(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (meaning.
                                                      1. 50.In Schedule 3 to the Contempt of Court Act 1981.
                                                      1. 51.In Schedule 1 to the Senior Courts Act 1981(distribution of.
                                                      1. 52.For section 22 of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act.
                                                      1. 53.(1) Section 85 of the Housing Act 1985 (extended discretion.
                                                      2. 54.In section 99B of that Act (persons qualifying for compensation.
                                                      3. 55.In section 101 of that Act (rent not to be.
                                                      4. 56.In section 171B of that Act (extent of preserved right.
                                                      1. 57.(1) Section 336 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (rights of.
                                                      2. 58.(1) Section 337 of that Act is amended as follows.
                                                      1. 59.(1) Section 9 of the Housing Act 1988 (extended discretion.
                                                      1. 60.(1) In section 8(4) of the Children Act 1989 (meaning.
                                                      1. 61.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                                      1. Transitional arrangements for those who have been living apart
                                                         1. 1.(1) The Lord Chancellor may by order provide for the.
                                                         1. 2.(1) The Lord Chancellor may by order make such consequential.
                                                         2. 3.If an Act or subordinate legislation— (a) refers to an.
                                                         1. 4.In paragraphs 2 and 3— . . . “subordinate legislation”.
                                                         1. 5.(1) Except for paragraph 6 of this Schedule, nothing in.
                                                         2. 6.(1) Section 31 of the 1973 Act has effect as.
                                                         1. 7.In paragraphs 8 to 15 “the 1983 Act” means the.
                                                         1. 8.(1) In this paragraph and paragraph 10 “the existing enactments”.
                                                         1. 9.Nothing in Part IV, Part III of Schedule 8 or.
                                                         1. 10.(1) In this paragraph “an existing order” means any order.
                                                         1. 11.(1) Any reference (however expressed) in any enactment, instrument or.
                                                         2. 12.(1) Any reference (however expressed) in any enactment, instrument or.
                                                         3. 13.In sections 30 and 31 and Schedule 4—
                                                         4. 14.Neither section 31(11) nor the repeal by the Matrimonial Homes.
                                                         5. 15.Nothing in this Schedule is to be taken to prejudice.

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