Article 34 Amendment to the 1996 Rules

in the heading, after “marriage” insert “or overseas relationship”;

after paragraph (1) insert—

“(1A)

The formation of an overseas relationship other than a marriage, outside Northern Ireland and its validity under the law of the country where it was formed may, in any family proceedings in which the existence and validity of that relationship is not disputed, be proved by the evidence of one of the parties to it and the production of a document purporting to be—

(a)

a certificate or similar document issued under the law in force in that country evidencing its formation; or

(b)

a certified copy of an entry in a register of such relationships kept under the law in force in that country.”;

in paragraph (2), after “(1)” insert “or (1A)”; and

in paragraph (3), after “marriage” insert “or the existence of an overseas relationship which is not a marriage”.

After paragraph (3) insert—

“(4)

In this rule, an “overseas relationship” has the same meaning as in section 212 of the Act of 2004.”.