Rule 2.42 Evidence of marriage [ or overseas relationship] outside Northern Ireland

The celebration of a marriage outside Northern Ireland and its validity under the law of the country where it was celebrated may, in any family proceedings in which the existence and validity of the marriage is not disputed, be proved by the evidence of one of the parties to the marriage and the production of a document purporting to be—

^f1The 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—

Where a document produced by virtue of paragraph (1) [^f2 or (1A)] is not in English it shall, unless the court otherwise directs, be accompanied by a translation certified by a notary public or authenticated by affidavit.

This rule shall not be construed as precluding the proof of a marriage [ or the existence of an overseas relationship which is not a marriage] in accordance with the Evidence (Foreign, Dominion and Colonial Documents) Act 1933^f3 or in any other manner authorised apart from this rule.

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