DOMESTIC RELATIONSHIPS ACT 1994

Table of Provisions

• Long Title

PART 1--PRELIMINARY

• 1 Name of Act  
• 2 Dictionary  
• 2A Notes  
• 3 Meaning of domestic relationship  
• 3A Termination agreements  
• 4 Application of Act  
• 5 Other relief or remedies not affected  

PART 2--MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION

• 6 Advice about facilities  
• 7 Conciliation  
• 8 Referral of matters for mediation or arbitration  
• 9 Admissions made to mediators  

PART 3--ADJUSTMENT OF PROPERTY INTERESTS AND MAINTENANCE

Division 3.1--Preliminary

• 10 Institution of proceedings  
• 11 Prerequisite for relief—residence etc  
• 12 Prerequisite for relief—length of relationship etc  
• 13 Time limit for making applications  
• 14 Court to end financial relations  

Division 3.2--Adjustment of property interests

• 15 Property orders  
• 16 Deferment of order  
• 17 Death of party—effect on proceedings  

Division 3.3--Maintenance

• 18 No general right to maintenance  
• 19 Maintenance orders  
• 20 Interim maintenance  
• 21 Death of party—effect on application  
• 22 Periodic maintenance orders—duration  
• 23 Periodic maintenance orders—variation etc  
• 24 Periodic maintenance orders—cessation  

Division 3.4--General

• 25 Court orders etc  
• 26 Execution of instruments by order of court  
• 27 Urgent orders etc in the absence of a party  
• 28 Variation and setting aside of orders  
• 29 Transactions to defeat claims  
• 30 Interests of other parties  

PART 4--DOMESTIC RELATIONSHIP AGREEMENTS AND TERMINATION AGREEMENTS

• 31 Meaning of agreement for pt 4  
• 32 Validity of agreements  
• 33 Effect of agreements in proceedings under pt 3  
• 34 Variation etc of agreements  
• 35 Revocation etc of agreements  
• 36 Death of party—effect on periodic maintenance under  
• 37 Death of party—transfer of property and lump sum payments under  

PART 4A--CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS

Division 4A--.1 General

• 37A Definitions—pt 4A  
• 37B Civil partnerships—general  

Division 4A--.2 Eligibility for entering into civil partnership

• 37C Eligibility criteria  

Division 4A--.3 Entering into civil partnership

• 37D How civil partnership is entered into  
• 37E Application for registration  
• 37F Decision on application  
• 37G When civil partnership has effect  

Division 4A--.4 Ending civil partnership

• 37H How civil partnership ends  
• 37I Ending civil partnership by parties  
• 37J Order that termination notice not effective  
• 37K Ending civil partnership by court order  

Division 4A--.5 Other matters

• 37L Void civil partnerships  
• 37M Evidence of identity and age  
• 37N Personal service of termination and withdrawal notices  
• 37O If personal service impracticable or impossible  
• 37P Civil partnerships under corresponding laws  

PART 4B--NOTIFICATION AND REVIEW OF DECISIONS

• 37Q Meaning of reviewable decision—pt 4B  
• 37R Reviewable decision notices  
• 37S Applications for review  

PART 5--MISCELLANEOUS

• 38 Declarations—existence of domestic relationship  
• 39 Annulment of declaration  
• 40 Declarations—interests in property  
• 40A Determination of fees  
• 40B Approved forms  
• 41 Regulation-making power  
• SCHEDULE 1
DICTIONARY ENDNOTES