LegalizeReform history
Family Law Act 1996
27 versions
· 1996-07-04
2026-03-25
Family Law Act 1996
2025-11-21
Family Law Act 1996
2025-04-28
Family Law Act 1996
2025-03-11
Family Law Act 1996
2025-03-05
Family Law Act 1996
2024-11-27
Family Law Act 1996
2023-02-07
Family Law Act 1996
2022-12-01
Family Law Act 1996
2022-04-06
Family Law Act 1996
2019-12-02
Family Law Act 1996
2019-01-03
Family Law Act 1996
2014-05-13
Family Law Act 1996
2011-07-15
Family Law Act 1996
2010-04-06
Family Law Act 1996
2010-01-01
Family Law Act 1996
2009-10-01
Family Law Act 1996
2009-04-06
Family Law Act 1996
2008-12-08
Family Law Act 1996
2008-11-25
Family Law Act 1996
2008-11-03
Family Law Act 1996
2006-04-03
Family Law Act 1996
2005-12-30
Family Law Act 1996
Changes on 2005-12-30
@@ -1345,7 +1345,7 @@
- (a) any child who is living with or might reasonably be expected to live with either party to the proceedings;
- (b) any child in relation to whom an order under the Adoption Act 1976 or the Children Act 1989 is in question in the proceedings; and
- (b) any child in relation to whom an order under the Adoption Act 1976 , the Adoption and Children Act 2002 or the Children Act 1989 is in question in the proceedings; and
- (c) any other child whose interests the court considers relevant.
@@ -1375,7 +1375,7 @@
- (b) he has or has had parental responsibility for the child.
- (5) If a child has been adopted or has been freed for adoption by virtue of any of the enactments mentioned in section 16(1) of the Adoption Act 1976, two persons are also associated with each other for the purposes of this Part if—
- (5) If a child has been adopted or falls within subsection (7), two persons are also associated with each other for the purposes of this Part if—
- (a) one is a natural parent of the child or a parent of such a natural parent; and
@@ -1387,13 +1387,25 @@
- (6) A body corporate and another person are not, by virtue of subsection (3)(f) or (g), to be regarded for the purposes of this Part as associated with each other.
- (7) A child falls within this subsection if—
- (a) an adoption agency, within the meaning of section 2 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002, has power to place him for adoption under section 19 of that Act (placing children with parental consent) or he has become the subject of an order under section 21 of that Act (placement orders), or
- (b) he is freed for adoption by virtue of an order made—
- (i) in England and Wales, under section 18 of the Adoption Act 1976,
- (ii) in Scotland, under section 18 of the Adoption (Scotland) Act 1978, or
- (iii) in Northern Ireland, under Article 17(1) or 18(1) of the Adoption (Northern Ireland) Order 1987.
#### Interpretation of Part IV
##### 63
- (1) In this Part—
- “adoption order” has the meaning given by section 72(1) of the Adoption Act 1976;
- “*adoption order*” means an adoption order within the meaning of section 72(1) of the Adoption Act 1976 or section 46(1) of the Adoption and Children Act 2002;
- “associated”, in relation to a person, is to be read with section 62(3) to (6);
@@ -1429,7 +1441,7 @@
- “parental responsibility” has the same meaning as in the Children Act 1989;
- “*relative*”, in relation to a person, means—the father, mother, stepfather, stepmother, son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, grandmother, grandfather, grandson or granddaughter of that person or of that person’s spouse, former spouse, civil partner or former civil partner, orthe brother, sister, uncle, aunt, niece , nephew or first cousin(whether of the full blood or of the half blood or by marriage or civil partnership) of that person or of that person’s spouse, former spouse, civil partner or former civil partner,and includes, in relation to a person who is cohabiting or has cohabited with another person, any person who would fall within paragraph (a) or (b) if the parties were married to each other or were civil partners of each other;
- “*relative*”, in relation to a person, means—the father, mother, stepfather, stepmother, son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, grandmother, grandfather, grandson or granddaughter of that person or of that person’s spouse, former spouse, civil partner or former civil partner, orthe brother, sister, uncle, aunt, niece , nephew or first cousin (whether of the full blood or of the half blood or by marriage or civil partnership) of that person or of that person’s spouse, former spouse, civil partner or former civil partner,and includes, in relation to a person who is cohabiting or has cohabited with another person, any person who would fall within paragraph (a) or (b) if the parties were married to each other or were civil partners of each other;
- “relevant child”, in relation to any proceedings under this Part, has the meaning given by section 62(2);
@@ -1452,6 +1464,8 @@
- (g) Parts I, II and IV of the Children Act 1989;
- (h) section 30 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990.
- (i) the Adoption and Children Act 2002.
- (j) Schedules 5 to 7 to the Civil Partnership Act 2004.
@@ -2876,7 +2890,7 @@
## SCHEDULE 10
#### Divorce and separation.
#### The general principles underlying Parts II and III.
#### Rights concerning home where one spouse or civil partner has no estate, etc.
@@ -2902,7 +2916,7 @@
### Forced marriage protection orders
#### Further provisions relating to home rights.
#### Occupation orders where applicant has estate or interest etc. or has home rights.
##### 63A
@@ -3172,7 +3186,7 @@
> (a) the High Court; and
> (b) any county court.
#### Effect of order under s. 33 where rights are charge on dwelling-house.
#### One former spouse or former civil partner with no existing right to occupy.
##### 63N
@@ -3528,16 +3542,32 @@
[^c21001391]: Words in s. 62(1)(b) inserted (5.12.2005) by [Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33), [ss. 82](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/section/82), [263](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/section/263), [Sch. 9 para. 13(1)(2)(b)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/schedule/9/paragraph/13/1/2/b); [S.I. 2005/3175](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175), [art. 2(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175/article/2/1), [Sch. 1](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175/schedule/1)
[^c12122881]: [1976 c. 36](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1976/36).
[^c12122891]: Words in s. 62(2)(b) inserted (30.12.2005) by [2002 c. 38](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/38), [ss. 139(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/38/section/139/1), [148(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/38/section/148/1), [Sch. 3 para. 86(a)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/38/schedule/3/paragraph/86/a) (with [Sch. 4 paras. 6-8](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/38/schedule/4/paragraph/6)); [S.I. 2005/2213](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/2213), [art. 2(o)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/2213/article/2/o)
[^c12122901]: [1989 c. 41](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1989/41).
[^c21001411]: S. 62(3)(aa) inserted (5.12.2005) by [Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33), [ss. 82](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/section/82), [263](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/section/263), [Sch. 9 para. 13(1)(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/schedule/9/paragraph/13/1/3); [S.I. 2005/3175](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175), [art. 2(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175/article/2/1), [Sch. 1](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175/schedule/1)
[^c21001431]: S. 62(3)(eza) inserted (5.12.2005) by [Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33), [ss. 82](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/section/82), [263](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/section/263), [Sch. 9 para. 13(1)(4)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/schedule/9/paragraph/13/1/4); [S.I. 2005/3175](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175), [art. 2(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175/article/2/1), [Sch. 1](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175/schedule/1)
[^c12122911]: Words in s. 62(5) substituted (30.12.2005) by [2002 c. 38](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/38), [ss. 139(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/38/section/139/1), [148(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/38/section/148/1), [Sch. 3 para. 86(b)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/38/schedule/3/paragraph/86/b) (with [Sch. 4 paras. 6-8](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/38/schedule/4/paragraph/6)); [S.I. 2005/2213](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/2213), [art. 2(o)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/2213/article/2/o)
[^c12122921]: S. 62(7) inserted (30.12.2005) by [2002 c. 38](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/38), [ss. 139(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/38/section/139/1), [148(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/38/section/148/1), [Sch. 2 para. 87](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/38/schedule/2/paragraph/87) (with [Sch. 4 paras. 6-8](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/38/schedule/4/paragraph/6)); [S.I. 2005/2213](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/2213), [art. 2(o)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/2213/article/2/o)
[^c12123021]: S. 63(1): definition of "adoption order" substituted (30.12.2005) by [2002 c. 38](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/38), [ss. 139(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/38/section/139/1), [148(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/38/section/148/1), [Sch. 3 para. 88(a)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/38/schedule/3/paragraph/88/a) (with [Sch. 4 paras. 6-8](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/38/schedule/4/paragraph/6)); [S.I. 2005/2213](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/2213), [art. 2(o)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/2213/article/2/o)
[^c20993761]: Word in s. 63(1) inserted (5.12.2005) by [Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/28), [ss. 58(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/28/section/58/1), [60](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/28/section/60), [Sch. 10 para. 41(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/28/schedule/10/paragraph/41/2); [S.I. 2005/3196](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3196), [art. 2(c)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3196/article/2/c)
[^c21001451]: S. 63(1): definition of "home rights" inserted (5.12.2005) by [Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33), [ss. 82](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/section/82), [263](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/section/263), [Sch. 9 para. 14(1)(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/schedule/9/paragraph/14/1/2); [S.I. 2005/3175](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175), [art. 2(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175/article/2/1), [Sch. 1](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175/schedule/1)
[^c21001491]: S. 63(1): definition of "matrimonial home rights" repealed (5.12.2005) by [Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33), [ss. 82](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/section/82), [261(4)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/section/261/4), [263](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/section/263), [Sch. 9 para. 14(1)(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/schedule/9/paragraph/14/1/3), [Sch. 30](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/schedule/30); [S.I. 2005/3175](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175), [art. 2(1)(6)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175/article/2/1/6), [Sch. 1](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175/schedule/1)
[^c12123031]: [1925 c. 20](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1925/20).
[^c12123041]: [1989 c. 41](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1989/41).
[^c21001511]: S. 63(1): words in the definition of "relative" substituted (5.12.2005) by [Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33), [ss. 82](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/section/82), [263](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/section/263), [Sch. 9 para. 14(1)(4)(a)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/schedule/9/paragraph/14/1/4/a); [S.I. 2005/3175](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175), [art. 2(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175/article/2/1), [Sch. 1](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175/schedule/1)
[^c20993801]: Words in s. 63(1) substituted (5.12.2005) by [Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/28), [ss. 58(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/28/section/58/1), [60](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/28/section/60), [Sch. 10 para. 41(3)(a)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/28/schedule/10/paragraph/41/3/a); [S.I. 2005/3196](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3196), [art. 2(c)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3196/article/2/c)
@@ -3548,6 +3578,18 @@
[^c21001591]: S. 63(1): words in the definition of "relative" inserted (5.12.2005) by [Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33), [ss. 82](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/section/82), [263](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/section/263), [Sch. 9 para. 14(1)(4)(c)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/schedule/9/paragraph/14/1/4/c); [S.I. 2005/3175](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175), [art. 2(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175/article/2/1), [Sch. 1](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175/schedule/1)
[^c12123051]: [1973 c. 18](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1973/18).
[^c12123061]: [1976 c. 36](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1976/36).
[^c12123071]: [1978 c. 22](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1978/22).
[^c12123081]: [1984 c. 42](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1984/42).
[^c12123091]: [1989 c. 41](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1989/41).
[^c12123111]: S. 63(2)(i) inserted (30.12.2005) by [2002 c. 38](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/38), [ss. 139(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/38/section/139/1), [148(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/38/section/148/1), [Sch. 3 para. 88(b)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/38/schedule/3/paragraph/88/b) (with [Sch. 4 paras. 6-8](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/38/schedule/4/paragraph/6)); [S.I. 2005/2213](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/2213), [art. 2(o)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/2213/article/2/o)
[^c21001751]: S. 63(2)(j) inserted (5.12.2005) by [Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33), [ss. 82](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/section/82), [263](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/section/263), [Sch. 9 para. 13(1)(5)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/schedule/9/paragraph/13/1/5); [S.I. 2005/3175](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175), [art. 2(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175/article/2/1), [Sch. 1](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175/schedule/1)
[^c21004801]: [Pt. 4](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/27/part/4) modified (5.12.2005) by [Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33), [ss. 82](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/section/82), [263](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/section/263), [Sch. 9 para. 25(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/schedule/9/paragraph/25/2); [S.I. 2005/3175](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175), [art. 2(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175/article/2/1), [Sch. 1](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3175/schedule/1)
@@ -3784,27 +3826,7 @@
[^c12122761]: [1983 c. 20](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/20).
[^c12122861]: [1976 c. 36](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1976/36).
[^c12122871]: [1989 c. 41](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1989/41).
[^c12122931]: [1976 c. 36](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1976/36).
[^c12122941]: [1925 c. 20](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1925/20).
[^c12122951]: [1989 c. 41](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1989/41).
[^c12122961]: [1973 c. 18](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1973/18).
[^c12122971]: [1976 c. 36](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1976/36).
[^c12122981]: [1978 c. 22](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1978/22).
[^c12122991]: [1984 c. 42](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1984/42).
[^c12123001]: [1989 c. 41](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1989/41).
[^c12123011]: [1990 c. 37](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/37).
[^c12123101]: [1990 c. 37](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/37).
[^c12123391]: [1985 c. 61](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1985/61).
@@ -3830,15 +3852,15 @@
#### Power to extend jurisdiction to magistrates' courts
#### Neither spouse or civil partner entitled to occupy.
#### Neither cohabitant or former cohabitant entitled to occupy.
#### One cohabitant or former cohabitant with no existing right to occupy.
#### Supplementary provisions.
#### Offence of breaching non-molestation order
#### Actions by mortgagees: joining connected persons as parties.
#### Additional provisions that may be included in certain occupation orders.
#### Leave of court required for applications by children under sixteen.
#### Actions by mortgagees: service of notice on certain persons.
#### Interpretation of Part IV.
@@ -3846,6 +3868,14 @@
#### Jurisdiction of courts: Part 4A
#### Forced marriage protection orders
#### Contempt proceedings: Part 4A
#### Provision for separate representation for children.
#### Jurisdiction of courts: Part 4A
#### Power to extend jurisdiction to magistrates' courts
#### Contempt proceedings: Part 4A
2005-12-05
Family Law Act 1996
2004-01-12
Family Law Act 1996
2003-10-13
Family Law Act 1996
2003-02-24
Family Law Act 1996
1996-07-04
Family Law Act 1996
original version
Text at this date