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Family Law Act 1986
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- 1986 c. 55
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Family Law Act 1986, Introductory Text is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 21 November 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
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Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):
- s. 1(1)(ca)-(cc) inserted by 2022 c. 18 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 7
- s. 2A(1)(1A) substituted for s. 2(1) by 1996 c. 27 Sch. 8 para. 37(3) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 8 Pt. I repealed (except for paras. 4, 16(1)(5)(a)(6)(b)(7)) (13.5.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), ss. 18(2)(e), 139(4))
- s. 19(1A)-(1C) inserted by 2022 c. 18 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 8
- s. 29A inserted by 2020 asp 16 s. 29(2)
- s. 38(4) inserted by 1996 c. 27 Sch. 8 para. 37(9) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 8 Pt. I repealed (except for paras. 4, 16(1)(5)(a)(6)(b)(7)) (13.5.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), ss. 18(2)(e), 139(4))
Family Law Act 1986
1986 CHAPTER 55
An Act to amend the law relating to the jurisdiction of courts in the United Kingdom to make orders with regard to the custody of children; to make provision as to the recognition and enforcement of such orders throughout the United Kingdom; to make further provision as to the imposition, effect and enforcement of restrictions on the removal of children from the United Kingdom or from any part of the United Kingdom; to amend the law relating to the jurisdiction of courts in Scotland as to tutory and curatory; to amend the law relating to the recognition of divorces, annulments and legal separations; to make further provision with respect to the effect of divorces and annulments on wills; to amend the law relating to the powers of courts to make declarations relating to the status of a person; to abolish the right to petition for jactitation of marriage; to repeal the Greek Marriages Act 1884; to make further provision with respect to family proceedings rules; to amend the Child Abduction Act 1984, the Child Abduction (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 and the Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985; and for connected purposes.
[7th November 1986]
X1Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Editorial Information
X1The text of ss. 55, 58 to 63, 68, 69 was taken from S.I.F. Group 49:1 (Family Law: Marriage, England and Wales and Abroad), ss. 44 to 54, 64, 68, 69, Schs. 1, 2 from S.I.F. Group 49:3 (Family Law: Matrimonial Proceedings), ss. 56, 58 to 60, 63, 68, 69 from S.I.F. Group 49:7 (Family Law: Legitimacy, Affiliation and Age of Majority, England and Wales), ss. 1 to 7, 19 to 43, 65 to 69 from S.I.F. Group 49:9 (Family Law: Guardianship, England and Wales and Northern Ireland), ss. 1, 8 to 18, 25 to 43, 67 to 69 from S.I.F. Group 49:10 (Family Law: Guardianship and Aliment, Scotland), and ss. 57, 58 to 60, 63, 68, 69 from S.I.F. Group 49:11 (Family Law: Adoption).
Extent Information
E1Act extends to the United Kingdom but for exceptions see s. 69(5)(6)(7)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Act restricted by 1986 c. 55, s. 2(2A) (as inserted (30.12.2005) by Adoption and Children Act 2002 (c. 38), s. 148(1), Sch. 3 para. 48 (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2005/2213, art. 2(o))
Commencement Information
I1Act not in force at Royal Assent see s. 69(2)(3); Act partly in force at 7.1.1987 see s. 69(2)
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