The Family Proceedings Rules 1991

Parties

2.7—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), where a petition alleges that the respondent has committed adultery, the person with whom the adultery is alleged to have been committed shall be made a co-respondent in the cause unless—

(a) that person is not named in the petition, or

(b) the court otherwise directs.

(2) Where a petition alleges that the respondent has been guilty of rape upon a person named, then, notwithstanding anything in paragraph (1) that person shall not be made a co-respondent in the cause unless the court so directs.

(3) Where a petition alleges that the respondent has been guilty of an improper association (other than adultery) with a person named, the court may direct that the person named be made co-respondent in the cause, and for that purpose the district judge may require the proper officer to give notice to the petitioner and to any other party who has given notice of intention to defend of a date, time and place at which the court will consider giving such a direction.

(4) An application for directions under paragraph (1) may be made ex parte if no notice of intention to defend has been given.

(5) Paragraphs (1) and (3) of this rule do not apply where the person named has died before the filing of the petition.