New South Wales Consolidated Acts

MATRIMONIAL CAUSES ACT 1899 - SECT 4

4 Composition and jurisdiction of Court

(1) There shall be vested in the Supreme Court jurisdiction in respect of divorces a mensâ et thoro suits of nullity of marriage suits for dissolution of marriage suits for restitution of conjugal rights suits for jactitation of marriage and in all causes suits and matters matrimonial (except in respect of marriage licenses).

(2) The said jurisdiction shall be the matrimonial causes jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and the said jurisdiction and all the powers and authorities conferred by this Act may be exercised in like manner as the other powers jurisdictions and authorities given to or vested in the Supreme Court.

(3) The said jurisdiction shall except as herein otherwise provided be exercised by the Judge appointed in that behalf and by any Judge acting in his place or having co-ordinate jurisdiction with him and every decree or order of any such Judge shall in causes and matters under this Act be as valid to all intents and purposes as if such decree or order had been made by the Full Court.

(4) The registrar, when exercising the jurisdiction and powers conferred upon or delegated to him under this Act, shall be deemed to be exercising the jurisdiction and powers of the Supreme Court.