Explanatory note

Part I of the Family Law Act 1986 sets up a scheme of jurisdiction of courts in the United Kingdom to make orders with regard to the custody of children and provides for the recognition and enforcement of such orders throughout the United Kingdom. This Order modifies Part I so as to bring orders made by courts in dependent territories within the scheme and to provide for the recognition and enforcement of such orders in the United Kingdom.

The Order applies in the first instance to orders made by courts in the Isle of Man, whose legislation already contains reciprocal provision. If similar reciprocal provision is made in the laws of other dependent territories, the Order may be amended from time to time to apply to orders made by courts in such territories.

Schedule 1 to the order lists the territories (at present only the Isle of Man) in relation to which provision is made by the Order. Schedule 2 sets out the modifications of Part I of the Family Law Act 1986 which are made for the purpose of the Order. Schedule 3 provides for the interpretation, in relation to a specified dependent territory, of expressions used in the modified provisions; at present it consists only of a Part I, applying in relation to the Isle of Man, but further parts will be added if further territories are brought within the scheme.