Rule 7.7 What the respondent must do on receiving the applicationF1

(1)

The respondent must file an acknowledgment of service within 14 days beginning with the date on which the application for a matrimonial or civil partnership order was served.

(2)

This rule is subject to rule 6.42 (which specifies how the period for filing an acknowledgment of service is calculated where the application is served out of the jurisdiction).

(3)

The acknowledgment of service must—

(a)

be signed by the respondent or the respondent’s legal representative;

(b)

include the respondent’s address for service; and

(c)

indicate whether or not the respondent intends to dispute the proceedings.

(4)

Where a notice of proceedings is sent to joint applicants under rule 7.5(3) each joint applicant must acknowledge receipt of the notice of proceedings within 14 days of receipt of such notice.

(5)

A respondent who wishes to dispute proceedings must file and serve an answer within 21 days beginning with the date by which the acknowledgment of service is required to be filed.

(6)

A respondent may file an answer even if the intention to do so was not indicated in the acknowledgment of service.

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: Pt. 7 substituted (6.4.2022) by The Family Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2022 (S.I. 2022/44), rule 1(3)(a), Sch. (with rule 29); S.I. 2022/283, reg. 2