Family Law Act 1986 (c. 55)

Part I U.K. Child Custody

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. I applied by S.I. 1991/1723, art. 3(2), Sch. 2 and art. 3(3), Sch. 3.

Chapter II E+W Jurisdiction of Courts in England and Wales

[F1 2A Jurisdiction in or in connection with matrimonial proceedings. E+W

(1) The condition referred to in section 2(1) of this Act is that the matrimonial proceedings are proceedings in respect of the marriage of the parents of the child concerned and—

(a) the proceedings—

(i) are proceedings for divorce or nullity of marriage, and

(ii) are continuing;

(b) the proceedings—

(i) are proceedings for judicial separation,

(ii) are continuing,

and the jurisdiction of the court is not excluded by subsection (2) below; or

(c) the proceedings have been dismissed after the beginning of the trial but—

(i) the section 1(1)(a) order is being made forthwith, or

(ii) the application for the order was made on or before the dismissal.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b) above, the jurisdiction of the court is excluded if, after the grant of a decree of judicial separation, on the relevant date, proceedings for divorce or nullity in respect of the marriage are continuing in Scotland or Northern Ireland.

(3) Subsection (2) above shall not apply if the court in which the other proceedings there referred to are continuing has made—

(a) an order under section 13(6) or [F2 19A(4)] of this Act (not being an order made by virtue of section 13(6)(a)(i)), or

(b) an order under section 14(2) or 22(2) of this Act which is recorded as being made for the purpose of enabling Part I proceedings to be taken in England and Wales with respect to the child concerned.

(4) Where a court—

(a) has jurisdiction to make a section 1(1)(a) order in or in connection with matrimonial proceedings, but

(b) considers that it would be more appropriate for Part I matters relating to the child to be determined outside England and Wales,

the court may by order direct that, while the order under this subsection is in force, no section 1(1)(a) order shall be made by any court in or in connection with those proceedings.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 2A substituted (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108, Sch. 13 para. 64 (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

F2 Words in s. 2A(3)(a) substituted (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/756, art. 12(5); S.R. 1996/297, para. 3