Rule 2.27 Stay under Domicile and Matrimonial Proceedings Act 1973

An application to the court by the petitioner or respondent in proceedings for divorce for an order under paragraph 8 of Schedule I to the Domicile and Matrimonial Proceedings Act 1973 (in this rule referred to as “Schedule 1”) shall be made to the district judge, who may determine the application or refer the application, or any question arising thereon, to a judge for his decision as if the application were an application for ancillary relief.

An application for an order under paragraph 9 of Schedule 1 shall be made to a judge.

Where, on giving directions for trial, it appears to the district judge from any information given pursuant to paragraph 1(j) of Appendix 2 or rule 2.15(4) or paragraph (4) of this rule that any proceedings which are in respect of the marriage in question or which are capable of affecting its validity or subsistence are continuing in any country outside England and Wales and he considers that the question whether the proceedings on the petition should be stayed under paragraph 9 of Schedule I ought to be determined by the court, he shall fix a date, time and place for the consideration of that question by a judge and give notice thereof to all parties.

• In this paragraph “proceedings continuing in any country outside England and Wales” has the same meaning as in paragraph 1(j) of Appendix 2.

Any party who makes a request for directions for trial in matrimonial proceedings within the meaning of paragraph 2 of Schedule I shall, if there has been a change in the information given pursuant to paragraph 1(j) of Appendix 2 and rule 2.15(4) file a statement giving particulars of the change.

An application by a party to the proceedings for an order under paragraph 10 of Schedule I may be made to the district judge, and he may determine the application or may refer the application, or any question arising thereon, to a judge as if the application were an application for ancillary relief.