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Uimhir 6 de 1989
AN tACHT UM IDIRSCARADH BREITHIÚNACH AGUS ATHCHÓIRIÚ AN DLÍ TEAGHLAIGH, 1989
RIAR NA nALT
Foraithne Idirscartha a Fháil
Orduithe Coimhdeacha Airgeadais, Maoine, Coimeádta agus Orduithe Eile
Dlínse Cúirte
30. | |
31. | |
32. | |
33. | Seoladh imeachtaí teaghlaigh sa Chúirt Chuarda agus san Ard-Chúirt. |
34. | |
35. | |
36. |
Ilghnéitheach
Na hAchtanna dá dTagraítear | |
Na hAchtanna Uchtála, 1952 go 1988 | |
An tAcht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Cothábháil Céilí agus Leanaí), 1976 | |
An tAcht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Céilí agus Leanaí a Chosaint), 1981 | |
Legitimacy Declaration Act (Ireland), 1868 | 1868, c. 20 |
Matrimonial Causes and Marriage Law (Ireland) Amendment Act, 1870 | 1870, c. 110 |
Partition Act, 1868 | 1868, c. 40 |
Partition Act, 1876 | 1876, c. 17 |
1987, Uimh. 36 | |
Uimhir 6 de 1989
AN tACHT UM IDIRSCARADH BREITHIÚNACH AGUS ATHCHÓIRIÚ AN DLÍ TEAGHLAIGH, 1989
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
CUID I
Foraithne Idirscartha a Fháil
Léiriú.
1.—San Acht seo, mura n-éilítear a mhalairt sa chomhthéacs—
ciallaíonn “an chúirt” an chúirt ag a bhfuil dlínse faoi Chuid III den Acht seo.
Iarratas ar fhoraithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh.
2.—(1) Féadfar iarratas ó chéile ar fhoraithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh ón gcéile eile a dhéanamh chun na cúirte a bhfuil dlínse aici imeachtaí faoi Chuid III den Acht seo a éisteacht agus a chinneadh ar fhoras amháin nó níos mó ná foras amháin díobh seo a leanas:
(a) go ndearna an freagróir adhaltranas;
(b) gur iompair an freagróir é féin ar shlí nach féidir le réasún a bheith ag súil go gcónódh an t-iarratasóir leis an bhfreagróir;
(c) faoi réir fho-alt (2) den alt seo, gur thréig an freagróir an t-iarratasóir ar feadh tréimhse leanúnaí bliana ar a laghad díreach roimh dháta an iarratais;
(d) faoi réir fho-alt (2) den alt seo, gur chónaigh na céilí ar leithligh óna chéile ar feadh tréimhse leanúnaí bliana ar a laghad díreach roimh dháta an iarratais agus go dtoileoidh an freagróir le foraithne a dheonú;
(e) faoi réir fho-alt (2) den alt seo, gur chónaigh na céilí ar leithligh óna chéile ar feadh tréimhse leanúnaí trí bliana ar a laghad díreach roimh dháta an iarratais;
(f) go bhfuil cliste ar an bpósadh sa mhéid gur deimhin leis an gCúirt sna himthosca go léir nach raibh gnáthchaidreamh pósta idir na céilí ar feadh tréimhse bliana ar a laghad díreach roimh dháta an iarratais.
(2) Le linn breithniú a dhéanamh chun críocha fho-alt (1) den alt seo, cé acu an tréimhse leanúnach nó nach ea ceachtar den dá thréimhse seo a leanas—
(a) i gcás mhír (c) den fho-alt sin, an tréimhse ar ar a feadh a bhí an t-iarratasóir tréigthe ag an bhfreagróir, nó
(b) i gcás mhír (d) nó (e) den fho-alt sin, an tréimhse ar lena linn a chónaigh na céilí ar leithligh,
ní thabharfar aon aird ar aon tréimhse amháin (nach faide ná 6 mhí) ná ar aon dá thréimhse nó níos mó (nach faide ná 6 mhí san iomlán) ar thosaigh na céilí ar chónaí lena chéile lena linn, ach ní dhéanfar aon tréimhse nó tréimhsí den sórt sin a raibh na céilí ina gcónaí lena chéile lena linn a áireamh mar chuid den tréimhse tréigin ná den tréimhse ar chónaigh na céilí ar leithligh, de réir mar a bheidh:
Ar choinníoll nach mbeidh feidhm ag an bhfo-alt seo ach amháin sa chás nach mbeidh na céilí ina gcónaí lena chéile an tráth a ndéanfar an t-iarratas.
(3) (a) San alt seo measfar céilí a bheith ina gcónaí ar leithligh óna chéile mura bhfuil siad ina gcónaí lena chéile sa teaghlach céanna, agus déanfar tagairtí do chéilí a bheith ina gcónaí lena chéile a fhorléiriú mar thagairtí do bheith ina gcónaí lena chéile sa teaghlach céanna.
(b) San alt seo folaíonn “tréigean” iompar ag céile amháin a dtarlaíonn dá thoradh go ndéanann an céile eile, le cúis chóir, an céile sin a fhágáil agus cónaí ar leithligh ón gcéile sin.
Foraithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh a dheonú, agus coimeád etc. leanaí.
3.—(1) Más rud é, ar iarratas a bheith déanta faoi alt 2 den Acht seo, gur deimhin leis an gcúirt, maidir le haon fhoras de na forais dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1) den alt sin ar a raibh an t-iarratasóir ag brath, gur dóichí an foras sin a bheith cruthaithe, deonóidh an chúirt, faoi réir fho-alt (2) den alt seo agus ailt 5 agus 6 den Acht seo, foraithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh i leith na gcéilí lena mbaineann.
(2) (a) Más rud é, i gcás na gcéilí lena mbaineann, go mbeidh aon leanaí cleithiúnacha de chuid an teaghlaigh ann, ní dheonóidh an chúirt foraithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh—
(i) mura deimhin léi go bhfuil cibé socrú is cuí sna himthosca déanta, nó
(ii) mura bhfuil sé beartaithe aici le hordú, ar dheonú na foraithne, cibé socrú a dhéanamh is cuí sna himthosca,
chun leas na leanaí sin.
(b) San fho-alt seo—
tá le “leanaí cleithiúnacha de chuid an teaghlaigh” an bhrí chéanna atá leis chun críocha Chuid II den Acht seo;
folaíonn “leas” leas creidimh agus morálta na leanaí lena mbaineann, mar aon lena leas intleachta, lena leas coirp agus lena leas sóisialta.
(3) Ar fhoraithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh a dheonú ag an gcúirt, féadfaidh an chúirt le hordú, más iomchuí é, cibé orduithe a thabhairt faoi alt 11 den Acht um Chaomhnóireacht Naíon, 1964, a mheasfaidh sí is cóir maidir le leas nó coimeád naín, nó le ceart rochtana chuig naíon (is naíon de réir bhrí an Achta sin), ionann is dá mba faoin alt sin a rinneadh an t-iarratas.
Forálacha forlíontacha maidir le hadhaltranas agus iompar míréasúnach a chruthú.
4.—(1) I gcás na céilí a bheith ina gcónaí lena chéile ar feadh breis is 1 bhliain tar éis don iarratasóir teacht ar an eolas go raibh adhaltranas déanta ag an bhfreagróir, ní bheidh an t-iarratasóir i dteideal brath ar an adhaltranas sin chun críocha alt 2 (1) (a) d'ainneoin go bhféadfadh an t-adhaltranas sin a bheith ar cheann de na fachtóirí ar a bhféadfadh an t-iarratasóir brath chun críocha alt 2 (1) (b) i dteannta nithe eile.
(2) I gcás go líomhnóidh an t-iarratasóir gur iompair an freagróir é féin ar shlí nach féidir, le réasún, a bheith ag súil leis go gcomhchónódh an t-iarratasóir leis ach gur chomhchónaigh na céilí lena chéile ar feadh tréimhse nó tréimhsí tar éis an dáta ar tharla an t-eachtra is déanaí ar a mbeidh an t-iarratasóir ag brath agus lena nglacfaidh an chúirt mar thaca lena líomhain, tabharfar neamhaird ar an gcomhchónaí sin agus cinneadh á dhéanamh chun críche alt 2 (1) (b) den Acht seo cibé acu an féidir nó nach féidir le réasún a bheith ag súil leis go gcónódh an t-iarratasóir leis an bhfreagróir más 6 mhí nó níos 1ú fad na tréimhse nó na dtréimhsí sin ina rabhthas ag comhchónaí lena chéile.
Cosaintí chun a áirithiú go bhfuil iarratasóir eolach ar roghanna seachas imeachtaí idirscartha agus chun cuidiú le hiarrachtaí le haghaidh comhréitigh.
5.—(1) Aon aturnae, más ann, a bheidh ag gníomhú thar ceann iarratasóra ar fhoraithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh déanfaidh sé an méid seo a leanas, sula ndéanfar iarratas ar fhoraithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh—
(a) pléifidh sé leis an iarratasóir cibé acu an féidir teacht ar chomhréiteach agus tabharfaidh sé dó ainmneacha agus seoltaí daoine atá cáilithe chun cuidiú le comhréiteach a chur i gcrích idir céilí atá i riocht coimhthithe, agus
(b) pléifidh sé leis an iarratasóir cibé acu an féidir dul i mbun idirghabhála chun cuidiú le hidirscaradh a chur i gcrích ar bhonn comhaontaithe le céile coimhthithe agus tabharfaidh sé dó ainmneacha agus seoltaí daoine agus eagras atá cailithe chun seirbhís idirghabhála a chur ar fáil, agus
(c) pléifidh sé leis an iarratasóir cibé acu an féidir idirscaradh a chur i gcrích trí ghníomhas idirscartha, nó trí chomhaontú idirscartha i scríbhinn, a chaibidlí agus a thabhairt chun críche.
(2) I dteannta iarratais ar idirscaradh breithiúnach beidh deimhniú ón aturnae, más ann, a bheidh ag gníomhú thar ceann an iarratasóra á rá go bhfuil forálacha fho-alt (1) den alt seo comhlíonta aige agus, i gcás nach ndeimhneoidh aturnae amhlaidh, féadfaidh an chúirt na himeachtaí a chur ar ar atráth go ceann cibé tréimhse is réasúnach léi chun go bpléifidh aturnae an iarratasóra na nithe dá dtagraítear san fho-alt sin leis an iarratasóir.
(3) Déanfar socrú le rialacha cúirte faoi chomhair an deimhniúcháin a éilítear chun críocha fho-alt (2) den alt seo.
Cosaintí chun a áirithiú go bhfuil freagróir eolach ar roghanna seachas imeachtaí idirscartha agus chun cuidiú le hiarrachtaí le haghaidh comhréitigh.
6.—(1) Aon aturnae, más ann, a bheidh ag gníomhú thar ceann freagróra in iarratas ar fhoraithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh déanfaidh sé an méid seo a leanas a luaithe is féidir tar éis dó treoracha a fháil ón bhfreagróir—
(a) pléifidh sé leis an bhfreagróir cibé acu an féidir teacht ar chomhréiteach agus tabharfaidh sé dó ainmneacha agus seoltaí daoine atá cáilithe chun cuidiú le comhréiteach a chur i gcrích idir páirtithe i bpósadh atá i riocht coimhthithe, agus
(b) pléifidh sé leis an bhfreagróir cibé acu an féidir dul i mbun idirghabhála chun cuidiú le hidirscaradh a chur i gcrích ar bhonn comhaontaithe le céile coimhthithe agus tabharfaidh sé dó ainmneacha agus seoltaí daoine agus eagras atá cáilithe chun seirbhís idirghabhála a chur ar fáil, agus
(c) pléifidh sé leis an bhfreagróir cibé acu an féidir idirscaradh a chur i gcrích trí ghníomhas idirscartha, nó trí chomhaontú idirscartha i scríbhinn, a chaibidlí agus a thabhairt chun críche.
(2) I dteannta Taifeadta Láithris nó Fógra go bhfuiltear chun Cosaint a Dhéanamh ar iarratas ar idirscaradh breithiúnach, beidh deimhniú ón aturnae, más ann, a bheidh ag gníomhú thar ceann an fhreagróra á rá go bhfuil forálacha fho-alt (1) den alt seo comhlíonta aige agus, i gcás nach ndeimhneoidh aturnae amhlaidh, féadfaidh an chúirt na himeachtaí a chur ar atráth go ceann cibé tréimhse is réasúnach léi chun go bpléifidh aturnae an fhreagróra na nithe dá dtagraítear san fho-alt sin leis an bhfreagróir.
(3) Déanfar socrú le rialacha cúirte faoi chomhair an deimhniúcháin a éilítear chun críocha fho-alt (2) den alt seo.
Imeachtaí a chur ar atráth chun cuidiú le teacht ar chomhréiteach nó ar chomhaontuithe i dtaobh idirscartha.
7.—(1) I gcás go ndéanfar iarratas chun na cúirte faoin Acht seo ar fhoraithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh, breithneoidh an chúirt cibé acu an féidir go dtiocfadh na céilí lena mbaineann ar chomhréiteach agus, dá réir sin, féadfaidh sí uair ar bith na himeachtaí a chur ar atráth chun deis a thabhairt do na céilí, más mian leo beirt é, breithniú a dhéanamh ar chomhréiteach eatarthu féin, le cuidiú nó d'éagmais cuidiú ó thríú páirtí.
(2) Más rud é le linn aon atráthú ar imeachtaí lena mbaineann fo-alt (1) den alt seo go n-atosóidh na céilí ar chónaí lena chéile arís, ní thabharfar aon aird ar an méid sin chun críocha na n-imeachtaí sin.
(3) Más rud é, ar iarratas a bheith déanta faoin Acht seo ar fhoraithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh, go bhfeicfear don chúirt nach féidir leis na céilí lena mbaineann teacht ar aon chomhréiteach, féadfaidh sí na himeachtaí a chur ar atráth nó a chur ar atráth arís chun deis a thabhairt do na céilí, más mian leo beirt é, teacht ar chomhaontú (le cuidiú nó d'éagmais cuidiú ó thríú páirtí) faoi théarmaí an idirscartha, a mhéid is féidir é.
(4) Má tharla atráthú de bhua fho-alt (1) nó (3) den alt seo, féadfaidh ceachtar céile nó iad beirt a iarraidh go rachfar ar aghaidh le héisteacht an iarratais agus, gan dochar d'fho-alt (5) den alt seo, atosóidh an chúirt ar an iarratas a éisteacht, a luaithe is indéanta é.
(5) An chumhacht atrátha is infheidhmithe faoi fho-ailt (1) agus (3) den alt seo is cumhacht í de bhreis ar aon chumhacht atrátha eile is infheidhmithe ag an gcúirt, agus ní cumhacht í in ionad na cumhachta sin.
(6) I gcás go gcuirfidh an chúirt imeachtaí faoi fho-alt (1) nó (3) den alt seo ar atráth, féadfaidh sí dá rogha féin comhairle a chur ar na céilí lena mbaineann cuidiú ó thríú páirtí a lorg chun na críche atá leagtha amach san fho-alt iomchuí.
(7) Aon teagmháil ó bhéal nó i scríbhinn idir ceachtar céile agus aon tríú páirtí lena mbaineann fo-alt (1), (3) nó (6) den alt seo (cibé acu an i láthair an chéile eile a dhéanfar é nó nach ea) agus aon taifead i dtaobh teagmhála den sórt sin a chuirfidh an tríú páirtí sin faoi deara a dhéanamh, ní bheidh siad inghlactha mar fhianaise in aon chúirt.
Éifeacht idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh agus cealú foraithne idirscartha agus orduithe coimhdeacha tráth comhréitigh.
8.—(1) I gcás go ndeonóidh an chúirt foraithne idirscartha bhreith iúnaigh ní bheidh sé d'oibleagáid ar na céilí arbh iad na páirtithe iad sna himeachtaí sin comhchónaí níos mó.
(2) Tar éis foraithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh a dheonú féadfaidh an t-iarratasóir agus an freagróir sna himeachtaí idirscartha aon uair ina dhiaidh sin iarratas a dhéanamh trí chomhthoiliú, chun na cúirte, ar chealú a dhéanamh ar an bhforaithne idirscartha a deonaíodh agus déanfaidh an chúirt an t-ordú cealaithe sin ar í a bheith deimhin de go bhfuil an t-iarratasóir agus an freagróir tar éis teacht ar chomhréiteach agus go bhfuil siad cheana féin atosaithe, nó gur mian leo atosú arís, ar chomhchónaí mar fhearchéile agus banchéile.
(3) Ar ordú cealaithe a dhéanamh faoi fho-alt (2) den alt seo féadfaidh an chúirt freisin cibé ordú nó orduithe atá riachtanach agus coimhdeach a dhéanamh is dóigh léi is cuí sna himthosca ag féachaint d'aon orduithe a rinneadh roimhe sin faoi Chuid II den Acht seo.
Deireadh a chur le foraithne colscartha a mensa et thoro, etc.
9.—(1) Tar éis thosach feidhme an Achta seo, ní bheidh aon ábhar caingne ann i ndáil le colscaradh a mensa et thoro.
(2) Ní bheidh éifeacht le fo-alt (1) den alt seo i ndáil le haon chaingean a tionscnaíodh roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo.
CUID II
Orduithe Coimhdeacha Airgeadais, Maoine, Coimeádta agus Orduithe Eile
Mínithe (Cuid II).
10.—Sa Chuid seo ach amháin nuair a éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt—
folaíonn “tíolacas” morgáiste, léas, aontú, aistriú, séanadh, scaoileadh agus aon diúscairt eile maoine ar dhóigh seachas le huacht nó le donatio mortis causa agus folaíonn sé freisin comhaontú infhorfheidhmithe (coinníollach nó neamhchoinníollach) chun aon tíolacas den sórt sin a dhéanamh;
ciallaíonn “leanbh cleithiúnach den teaghlach”, maidir le céile nó céilí, aon leanbh—
(a) leis an dá chéile, nó a d'uchtaigh an dá chéile faoi na hAchtanna Uchtála, 1952 go 1988, nó a bhfuil an dá chéile in loco parentis, i ndáil leis, nó
(b) le ceachtar céile, nó a d'uchtaigh ceachtar céile faoi na hAchtanna Uchtála, 1952 go 1988, nó a bhfuil ceachtar céile in loco parentis i ndáil leis, i gcás inar dhéileáil an céile eile, agus a fhios aige nach é tuismitheoir an linbh é, leis an leanbh mar dhuine den teaghlach,
agus atá faoi bhun 16 bliana d'aois, nó má tá an aois sin slánaithe aige—
(i) atá nó a bheidh nó dá ndéanfaí ordú faoin Acht seo ag déanamh socrú le haghaidh íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla chun é a chothú nó chun cnapshuim a sholáthar, a bheadh ag fáil oideachais nó teagaisc lánaimsire in aon ollscoil, coláiste, scoil nó foras eile oideachais agus atá faoi bhun 21 bliain d'aois, nó
(ii) a bhfuil an oiread sin de mhíchumas meabhrach nó coirp air nach féidir leis le réasún é féin a chothabháil go hiomlán;
ciallaíonn “teaghais”—
(a) aon fhoirgneamh, nó
(b) aon struchtúr, feithicil nó soitheach (soghluaiste nó doghluaiste),
nó cuid den chéanna, atá á áitiú mar theaghais ar leithligh agus folaíonn sé aon ghairdín nó geadán talún atá tadhlach leis an teaghais, agus á áitiú de ghnáth leis an teaghais, nó atá riachtanach ar dhóigh eile mar thaitneamhacht agus áis don teaghais;
ciallaíonn “áras teaghlaigh” go príomha, teaghais ina bhfuil gnáthchónaí ar lánúin phósta agus folaíonn an abairt, ina theannta sin, teaghais ina bhfuil gnáthchónaí ar chéile a bhfuil a chosaint ina shaincheist nó, má tá an céile sin imithe ón gcéile eile, a raibh gnáthchónaí ann ar an gcéile sin sular imigh sé amhlaidh;
ciallaíonn “airnéisí tí” troscán, leapachas, línéadach, soithí poircealláin, cré-earraí, gloiní, leabhair agus airnéis eile gnáthúsáide tís nó ornáide tís agus ina dteannta sin lóin tomhaltais, earraí gairdín agus ainmhithe tí, ach ní fholaíonn sé aon airnéisí a úsáideann ceachtar céile chun críocha gnó nó gairme ná airgead ná urrús ar airgead.
Réamhorduithe in imeachtaí idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh.
11.—Tar éis iarratas ar fhoraithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh a eisiúint, féadfaidh an chúirt, sula gcinnfidh sí ar an bhforaithne sin a dheonú nó ar dhiúltú i a dheonú, i gcás gur dóigh léi gur cóir déanamh amhlaidh, aon ordú nó orduithe díobh seo a leanas a dhéanamh—
(a) ordú urchoisc nó ordú cosanta de bhun alt 2 nó alt 3 den Acht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Céilí agus Leanaí a Chosaint), 1981;
(b) ordú coimeádta nó ordú rochtana nó ordú eile ar aon cheist a fhearann ar leas naín de bhun alt 11 den Acht um Chaomhnóireacht Naíon, 1964;
(c) ordú chun caomhnú a dhéanamh ar áras an teaghlaigh nó ar aon airgead a réadaíodh as tíolacadh aon leasa san áras teaghlaigh, de bhun alt 5 den Acht um Chaomhnú Áras an Teaghlaigh, 1976;
(d) ordú chun caomhnú a dhéanamh ar airnéis tís nó ar aon airgead a réadaíodh as díol na hairnéise sin de bhun alt 9 den Acht um Chaomhnú Áras an Teaghlaigh, 1976.
Iarratais a dhéanamh ar réamhorduithe.
12.—Féadfaidh cúirt orduithe a dhéanamh faoi alt 11 má iarrann an t-iarratasóir nó an freagróir amhlaidh, gan é bheith riachtanach imeachtaí leithleacha a thionscnamh faoi na hAchtanna dá dtagraítear san alt sin mar réamhorduithe in imeachtaí le haghaidh idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh a shaothraítear faoin Acht seo.
Cothabháil go dtí go ndéanfar agra, etc.
13.—I gcás go ndéanfar iarratas ar idirscaradh breithiúnach féadfaidh an chúirt ordú a dhéanamh le haghaidh cothabhála go dtí go ndéanfar agra, is é sin le rá, ordú á cheangal ar cheachtar céile cibé íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla a dhéanamh leis an gcéile eile chun an céile eile sin agus cibé leanaí cleithiúnacha (más ann) den teaghlach a chothú, go ceann cibé tréimhse, dar tosach tráth nach luaithe ná dáta an iarratais agus dar críoch tráth nach déanaí ná an dáta a chinnfear an t-iarratas sin, a mheasfaidh an chúirt a bheith cóir.
Orduithe i dtaobh íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla agus cnapshuime.
14.—(1) Féadfaidh an chúirt, ar fhoraithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh a dheonú, nó aon tráth dá éis sin, ar cheachtar céile do dhéanamh iarratais chuici, aon ordú nó orduithe díobh seo a leanas a dhéanamh—
(a) ordú i dtaobh íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla, is é sin le rá—
(i) ordú go ndéanfaidh ceachtar céile leis an gcéile eile cibé íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla de cibé méid, agus ag cibé tráthanna, a bheidh sonraithe san ordú; nó
(ii) ordú go ndéanfaidh ceachtar céile cibé íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla de cibé méid agus ag cibé tráth a bheidh sonraithe san ordú le cibé duine a bheidh sonraithe amhlaidh chun tairbhe linbh chleithiúnaigh den teaghlach;
(b) ordú i dtaobh íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla urraithe, is é sin le rá—
(i) ordú go ndéanfaidh ceachtar céile cibé íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla a bheidh sonraithe amhlaidh a urrú don chéile eile chun sástacht na cúirte; nó
(ii) ordú go ndéanfaidh céile cibé íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla chun sástacht na cúirte a bheidh sonraithe amhlaidh a urrú do cibé duine a bheidh sonraithe amhlaidh chun tairbhe an linbh chleithiúnaigh sin den teaghlach;
(c) ordú go n-íocfaidh ceachtar céile leis an gcéile eile cibé cnapshuim nó cnapshuimeanna de cibé méid agus ag cibé tráth nó tráthanna a bheidh sonraithe amhlaidh;
(d) ordú go n-íocfaidh céile le cibé duine a bheidh sonraithe cibé cnapshuim nó cnapshuimeanna de cibé méid agus ag cibé tráth nó tráthanna a bheidh sonraithe amhlaidh chun tairbhe linbh chleithiúnaigh den teaghlach.
(2) Gan dochar do ghinearáltacht fho-alt (1) (c) nó (d) den alt seo—
(a) aon ordú faoin alt seo go n-íocfaidh céile cnapshuim leis an gcéile eile féadfar é a dhéanamh le go bhféadfaidh an céile eile sin aon dliteanais nó caiteachais a íoc a thabhaigh sé nó sí, le réasún, roimh iarratas a dhéanamh ar ordú faoin alt seo ina fhabhar nó ina fabhar, chun é féin nó í féin nó aon leanbh cleithiúnach den teaghlach a chothabháil;
(b) aon ordú faoin alt seo chun cnapshuim a íoc chun tairbhe linbh chleithiúnaigh den teaghlach féadfar é a dhéanamh le go bhféadfar aon dliteanais nó caiteachais a íoc a thabhaigh an leanbh sin, nó a tabhaíodh chun tairbhe don leanbh sin, le réasún, roimh iarratas a dhéanamh ar ordú faoin alt seo ina fhabhar; agus
(c) féadfar a shocrú in aon ordú faoin alt seo chun cnapshuim a íoc go n-íocfar an tsuim sin ina tráthchodanna de cibé méid a bheidh sonraithe san ordú agus féadfar a cheangal go n-urrófar íoc na dtráthchodanna chun sástacht na cúirte.
Orduithe coigeartaithe maoine.
15.—(1) Féadfaidh an chúirt ar fhoraithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh a dheonú nó aon tráth dá éis sin, ar cheachtar céile do dhéanamh iarratais chuici, ordú coigeartaithe maoine, is é sin le rá, aon ordú nó orduithe díobh seo a leanas a dhéanamh—
(a) ordú go n-aistreoidh céile chuig an gcéile eile, chuig aon leanbh cleithiúnach den teaghlach nó chuig cibé duine a bheidh sonraithe san ordú chun tairbhe an linbh sin, cibé maoin a bheidh sonraithe amhlaidh, is maoin a bhfuil an céile céadluaite ina teideal, cibé acu ar mhodh seilbhe nó frithdhílse;
(b) ordú chun socrú a dhéanamh chun sástacht na cúirte i dtaobh cibé maoin a bheidh sonraithe amhlaidh, ar maoin í a mbeidh céile ina teideal amhlaidh, agus sin chun tairbhe an chéile eile agus aon linbh chleithiúnaigh den teaghlach nó chun tairbhe aon duine nó gach duine de na daoine sin;
(c) ordú chun aon socrú réamhphósta nó iarphósta (lena n-áirítear socrú den chineál sin a rinneadh le huacht nó le codaisíl) a rinneadh i leith na gcéilí a athrú chun tairbhe na gcéilí agus aon linbh chleithiúnaigh den teaghlach nó chun tairbhe aon duine nó gach duine de na daoine sin;
(d) ordú chun leas ceachtar de na céilí faoi aon socrú den chineál sin a mhúchadh nó a laghdú.
(2) Féadfaidh an chúirt, ar fhoraithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh a bheith deonaithe aici, breithniú a dhéanamh agus a chinneadh cibé acu ar chóir nó nár chóir di ordú nó orduithe a dhéanamh i bhfabhar céile faoin alt seo ar an aon ócáid amháin mura rud é ar an ócáid sin go gceileann céile, go toiliúil, eolas de chineál ábhartha atá iomchuí chun aon ordú nó orduithe den sórt sin a dhéanamh.
Orduithe coimhdeacha ilghnéitheacha.
16.—Féadfaidh an chúirt, ar fhoraithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh a dheonú nó aon tráth dá éis, ar cheachtar céile do dhéanamh iarratais chuici, aon ordú nó orduithe díobh seo a leanas a dhéanamh:
(a) ordú a thabharfadh ceart do chéile amháin, ar feadh shaol an chéile sin nó ar feadh cibé tréimhse eile (cinntitheach nó teagmhasach) a shonróidh an chúirt, áras an teaghlaigh a áitiú agus an céile eile a eisiamh;
(b) ordú chun áras an teaghlaigh a dhíol faoi réir cibé coinníollacha a mheasfaidh an chúirt a bheith cóir;
(c) ordú faoi alt 12 den Acht um Stádas Ban Pósta, 1957, a chinnfidh aon díospóid idir na céilí i dtaobh an teidil chun aon mhaoine nó i dtaobh seilbhe aon mhaoine;
(d) ordú faoi alt 4, 5 nó 9 den Acht um Chaomhnú Áras an Teaghlaigh, 1976;
(e) ordú faoi alt 2 nó 3 den Acht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Céilí agus Leanaí a Chosaint), 1981;
(f) ordú chun maoin a pháirtiú nó ordú faoi na Partition Acts, 1868 agus 1876;
(g) ordú faoi alt 11 den Acht um Chaomhnóireacht Naíon, 1964, maidir le haon leanbh cleithiúnach den teaghlach.
Ordú múchta ceart comharbais.
17.—(1) Ar fhoraithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh a dheonú, nó aon tráth dá éis sin, agus ar cheachtar céile do dhéanamh iarratais chuici, breithneoidh an chúirt cibé acu ar chóir di ordú a dhéanamh ag múchadh an sciar a mbeadh ceachtar céile ina theideal, seachas sin, in eastát an chéile eile mar cheart dlíthiúil nó i gcás díthiomnachta faoin Acht Comharbais, 1965.
(2) Déanfaidh an chúirt ordú ag múchadh an sciar a mbeadh céile ina theideal, seachas sin, in eastát an chéile eile mar cheart dlíthiúil nó i gcás intiomnachta faoin Acht sin 1965 más rud é—
(a) gur deimhin leis an gcúirt, ag féachaint d'fhorálacha alt 20, go bhfuil soláthar leordhóthanach agus réasúnach de chineál buan déanta chun soláthar d'urraíocht thodhchaíoch an chéile a bhfuil a chearta comharbais faoi cheist, nó
(b) gur deimhin léi, ag féachaint d'fhorálacha alt 20, nach cás é inar gá soláthar de chineál buan a dhéanamh le haghaidh urraíocht thodhchaíoch an chéile a bhfuil a chearta comharbais faoi cheist, nó
(c) nach céile é an céile a bhfuil a chearta comharbais faoi cheist, a ndearna an chúirt, tar éis di aird a thabhairt ar fhorálacha alt 20 (lena n-áirítear fo-ailt (2) (i) agus (3)), ordú faoi alt 14, 15 nó 16 (a) chun é a chothú, nó
(d) gur deimhin leis an gcúirt nach céile é an céile a bhfuil a chearta comharbais faoi cheist, a ndéanfadh an chúirt, tar éis di aird a thabhairt ar fhorálacha alt 20 (lena n-áirítear fo-ailt 2 (i) agus (3)), ordú faoi alt 14, 15 nó 16 (a) dá ndéanfaí iarratas chuici maidir leis sin chun é a chothú.
Orduithe chun maoin a dhíol.
18.—(1) I gcás go ndéanfaidh an chúirt ordú i dtaobh íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla urraithe, ordú chun cnapshuim a íoc, nó ordú coigeartaithe maoine, ansin, ar an ordú sin a dhéanamh nó ag aon tráth dá éis sin, féadfaidh an chúirt ordú breise a dhéanamh chun cibé maoin a bheidh sonraithe san ordú sin a dhíol, ar maoin í a bhfuil leas tairbhiúil ar mhodh seilbhe nó frithdhílse inti, nó i bhfáltais a díola, ag ceachtar céile nó ag an dá chéile.
(2) An chumhacht ordú a dhéanamh le haghaidh díola i gcás ordaithe coigeartaithe maoine, ní fheidhmeofar í ar shlí a chuirfidh isteach ar cheart a thugtar leis an ordú sin áras an teaghlaigh a áitiú.
(3) Féadfar cibé forálacha iarmhartacha nó forlíontacha is cuí leis an gcúirt a bheith in ordú faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo agus gan dochar do ghinearáltacht na forála roimhe seo, féadfar na nithe seo a áireamh ann—
(a) foráil á cheangal íocaíocht a dhéanamh as fáltais díola na maoine lena mbaineann an t-ordú, agus
(b) foráil á cheangal aon mhaoin den sórt sin a thairiscint lena díol le duine, nó le haicme daoine, a bheidh sonraithe san ordú.
(4) I gcás go ndéanfar ordú faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo, féadfaidh an chúirt a ordú nach rachaidh an t-ordú nó cibé foráil den ordú a shonróidh an chúirt, in éifeacht go dtí go dtarlóidh teagmhas a bheidh sonraithe ag an gcúirt nó go rachaidh tréimhse a bheidh sonraithe amhlaidh in éag.
(5) I gcás foráil a bheith in ordú faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo á cheangal go ndéanfar fáltais díola na maoine lena mbaineann an t-ordú a úsáid chun íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla le céile a áirithiú, scoirfidh an t-ordú d'éifeacht a bheith leis ar bhás an chéile sin.
(6) I gcás leas tairbhiúil a bheith ag céile in aon mhaoin, nó i bhfáltais díola na maoine sin, agus leas tairbhiúil sa mhaoin sin nó i bhfáltais díola na maoine sin a bheith freisin ag duine éigin eile nach duine de na céilí, ansin, sula gcinnfidh sí an ndéanfaidh sí ordú faoin alt seo i ndáil leis an maoin sin, beidh de dhualgas ar an gcúirt deis a thabhairt don duine eile sin uiríll a dhéanamh maidir leis an ordú; agus aon uiríll a dhéanfaidh an duine eile sin folófar iad i measc na n-imthosca nach mór don chúirt aird a thabhairt orthu faoi alt 20.
Dlínse bhreise i leith áras an teaghlaigh.
19.—Feidhmeoidh an chúirt a dlínse faoi alt 16 (a) agus (b) thuas mar dhlínse de bhreis ar a dlínse faoin Acht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Céilí agus Leanaí a Chosaint), 1981, agus faoin Acht um Chaomhnú Áras an Teaghlaigh, 1976, agus le linn di an dlínse sin a fheidhmiú tabharfaidh sí aird ar leas an teaghlaigh ina iomláine agus cuirfidh sí san áireamh an méid seo go sonrach—
(a) i gcás gur deonaíodh foraithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh, nach féidir leis na céilí leanúint de chónaí lena chéile;
(b) gur chóir, más indéanta é, cóiríocht chuí bhuanseasmhach a chur ar fáil do chéile cleithiúnach agus d'aon leanbh cleithiúnach den teaghlach;
(c) na nithe dá dtagraítear in alt 20 den Acht seo.
Forálacha a bhaineann le horduithe cothabhála, orduithe maoine agus orduithe eile.
20.—(1) Le linn don chúirt cinneadh a dhéanamh cibé acu an bhfeidhmeoidh nó nach bhfeidhmeoidh sí a cumhachtaí faoi alt 13, 14, 15 nó 16 (a) nó (b) den Acht seo agus, má fheidhmíonn, cén chaoi a bhfeidhmeoidh sí iad amhlaidh, féachfaidh sí lena áirithiú go ndéanfar cibé soláthar le haghaidh aon chéile agus le haghaidh aon linbh chleithiúnaigh den teaghlach a bheidh leordhóthanach agus réasúnach ag féachaint d'imthosca uile an cháis.
(2) Maidir le feidhmiú chumhachtaí na cúirte faoi alt 13, 14, 15 nó 16 (a) nó (b) den Acht seo i ndáil le céile, tabharfaidh an chúirt aird go sonrach ar na nithe seo a leanas—
(a) an t-ioncam, an cumas tuillimh, an mhaoin agus na hac mhainní airgeadais eile atá nó is dóigh a bheidh ag gach céile sa todhchaí is intuartha;
(b) na riachtanais, na hoibleagáidí agus na freagrachtaí airgeadais atá ar gach céile, nó is dóigh a bheidh ar gach céile, acu sa todhchaí is intuartha;
(c) an caighdeán maireachtála a bhí ag an teaghlach sular tionscnaíodh imeachtaí nó sular scar na céilí, de réir mar a bheidh;
(d) aois gach céile, an fad a mhair an pósadh agus an fad ama a bhí na céilí ina gcónaí lena chéile;
(e) aon mhíchumas coirp nó meabhrach ar cheachtar céile;
(f) an cion a rinne gach céile, nó an cion is dóigh a dhéanfaidh gach céile sa todhchaí is intuartha, ar mhaithe le leas an teaghlaigh, lena n-áirítear an cion a rinne gach céile ar mhaithe le hioncam, cumas tuillimh, acmhainní maoine agus airgeadais an chéile eile agus aon chion a rinneadh trí aire a thabhairt don teach nó trí chúram a dhéanamh den teaghlach;
(g) an éifeacht ar chumas tuillimh gach céile atá ag na freagrachtaí pósta a ghlac gach céile air féin sa tréimhse ina raibh cónaí ar na céilí lena chéile, agus, go sonrach, a mhéid a dhéantar dochar do chumas tuillimh céile sa todhchaí de bhíthin an deis ar ghníomhaíocht le haghaidh luach saothair a thabhairt suas nó a ligean uaidh chun aire a thabhairt don teach nó cúram a dhéanamh den teaghlach;
(h) aon ioncam nó sochair a bhfuil ceachtar céile ina dteideal le reacht nó faoi reacht;
(i) iompar gach céile de na céilí, más iompar de chineál é nach mbeadh sé, i dtuairim na cúirte, agus sna himthosca go léir, ag teacht le ceartas dá ndéanfaí neamhshuim de;
(j) na riachtanais cóiríochta ag ceachtar céile.
(3) Ní dhéanfaidh an chúirt ordú faoi alt 13, 14, 15 nó 16 (a) nó (b) den Acht seo faoi chomhair cothú céile i gcás go mbeidh an céile tar éis an céile eile a thréigean agus go raibh sé ag leanúint den chéile eile a thréigean suas go dtí an t-am ar tionscnaíodh imeachtaí ar fhoraithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh mura rud é, ag féachaint do na himthosca go léir (lena n-áirítear iompar an chéile eile), gurb é tuairim na cúirte nach mbeadh sé ag teacht le ceartas mura ndéanfaí an t-ordú sin nó na horduithe sin.
(4) Maidir le cumhachtaí na cúirte a fheidhmiú faoi alt 13, 14 nó 15 den Acht seo i ndáil le haon leanbh cleithiúnach den teaghlach, tabharfaidh an chúirt aird ar na nithe seo a leanas, go sonrach—
(a) riachtanas airgeadais an linbh;
(b) ioncam, cumas tuillimh (más ann), maoin agus acmhainní airgeadais eile an linbh;
(c) aon mhíchumas coirp nó meabhrach atá ar an leanbh;
(d) aon ioncam nó sochair a bhfuil an leanbh ina dteideal le reacht nó faoi reacht;
(e) an tslí ina rabhthas ag tabhairt oideachais dó agus ag cur oiliúna air agus an tslí a raibh na céilí ag súil go ndéanfaí amhlaidh;
(f) an chomaoin atá luaite i ndáil leis na céilí i bhfo-alt (2) (a), (b), (c) agus (e) den alt seo;
(g) riachtanais cóiríochta an linbh.
(5) San alt seo folaíonn “tréigean” iompar ag céile amháin arb é a thoradh go bhfágann an céile eile, agus cúis chóir aige, an céile sin agus go gcónaíonn sé ar leith ón gcéile sin.
Orduithe cothabhála cúlghabhálacha.
21.—(1) Féadfaidh an chúirt le linn di ordú i dtaobh íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla a dhéanamh faoi alt 14 (1) (a) socrú a dhéanamh go ndéanfar an tsuim a ordóidh sí a íoc, a íoc ón dáta ar eisíodh an t-iarratas idirscartha, ach ní ó dháta is luaithe ná sin, i gcás go measfar gurb iomchuí ordú den sórt sin a dhéanamh ag féachaint d'imthosca uile an cháis agus féadfaidh sí, le linn di sin a dhéanamh, ordú a thabhairt aon riaráiste a mheasann sí dá réir sin a bheith carntha, is riaráistí d'íocaíochtaí cothabhála, a íoc ina chnapshuim faoi dháta áirithe agus féadfaidh sí, nuair a bheidh sí ag ordú cnapshuim den chineál sin a íoc, creidiúint a thabhairt don chéile ar ordaíodh dó an íocaíocht sin a dhéanamh as aon airgead iomchuí a d'íoc sé leis an gcéile lena bhfuil an íocaíocht sin le déanamh sa tréimhse idir an dáta ar eisíodh na himeachtaí ar idirscaradh agus an dáta ar deonaíodh foraithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh.
(2) An dlínse a thugtar don chúirt chun ordú i dtaobh cnapshuime a dhéanamh faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo, is dlínse í nach ndéanann dochar do ghinearáltacht na dlínse chun ordú den sórt sin a dhéanamh a thig faoi alt 14 (1) (c) agus 14 (1) (d).
Orduithe airgeadais agus maoine a athrú agus a urscaoileadh.
22.—(1) I gcás go mbeidh ordú lena mbaineann an t-alt seo déanta ag an gcúirt, ansin faoi réir fhorálacha an ailt seo agus alt 20 den Acht seo, féadfaidh an chúirt, ar iarratas chuici ó cheachtar céile, más cuí léi déanamh amhlaidh ag féachaint d'aon athrú sna himthosca agus d'aon fhianaise nua, an t-ordú a athrú nó a urscaoileadh, nó aon fhoráil den ordú a fhionraí go sealadach, gníomhú aon fhorála a bheidh fionraithe amhlaidh a athoibriú agus in aon chás iomchuí an t-ordú sin a athrú arís, nó a ghníomhú a fhionraí arís nó a athoibriú.
(2) Baineann an t-alt seo leis na horduithe seo a leanas—
(a) ordú le haghaidh cothabhála go dtí go ndéanfar agra;
(b) ordú i dtaobh íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla;
(c) ordú i dtaobh íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla urraithe;
(d) an chuid sin d'ordú faoi chomhair íocaíochta cnapshuime lena ndéantar foráil le haghaidh íocaíocht na suime sin i dtráthchodanna nó a cheanglaíonn íocaíocht na dtráthchodanna sin a bheith urraithe;
(e) ordú i ndáil le háitiú áras an teaghlaigh, agus
(f) ordú chun maoin a dhíol.
(3) Gan dochar do ghinearáltacht alt 14 den Acht seo maidir leis an gcuid sin d'ordú lena bhforáiltear leanbh cleithiúnach a chothú, beidh sí urscaoilte más rud é go scoirfidh an leanbh de bheith ina leanbh cleithiúnach den teaghlach de bhíthin aois sé bliana déag nó bliain is fiche, de réir mar a bheidh, a bheith slánaithe aige, agus urscaoilfidh an chúirt an chuid sin den ordú, ar iarratas chuici faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo, más deimhin léi go bhfuil an leanbh scortha ar aon chúis de bheith ina leanbh cleithiúnach den teaghlach.
(4) Na cumhachtaí is infheidhmithe ag an gcúirt faoin alt seo i ndáil le hordú, beidh siad infheidhmithe freisin i ndáil le haon ionstraim a fhorghníomhaítear de bhun an ordaithe.
(5) Ní dhéanfar aon ordú coigeartaithe maoine ar iarratas chun athrú a dhéanamh ar ordú i dtaobh íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla nó ordú i dtaobh íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla urraithe a dhéanfar faoi alt 14 den alt seo (cibé acu i bhfabhar céile nó i bhfabhar linbh chleithiúnaigh den teaghlach).
(6) I gcás céile d'fháil bháis a dhlífidh íocaíochtaí a dhéanamh faoi ordú i dtaobh íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla urraithe, féadfaidh an céile a bheidh i dteideal íocaíochta faoin ordú i dtaobh íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla nó ionadaithe pearsanta an chéile éagtha, iarratas a dhéanamh faoin alt seo i ndáil leis an ordú sin (agus le haon ordú a cheanglaíonn fáltais díolacháin maoine a úsáid chun na híocaíochtaí sin a urrú), ach ní dhéanfar aon iarratas den chineál sin, ach amháin le cead na cúirte, tar éis dheireadh na tréimhse dhá mhí dhéag ón dáta a dheonaítear ionadaíocht i dtaobh eastát an duine éagtha i dtosach.
(7) Ionadaithe pearsanta céile éagtha a ndearnadh ordú i dtaobh íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla urraithe ina choinne ní bheidh siad faoi dhliteanas as aon chuid d'eastát an duine éagtha a dháileadh tar éis na tréimhse dhá mhí dhéag dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (6) den alt seo ar an bhforas gur chóir dóibh a chur san áireamh go mb'fhéidir go gceadódh an chúirt don duine a bheidh i dteideal íocaíochtaí faoin ordú iarratas a dhéanamh faoin alt seo tar éis na tréimhse sin; ach ní dhéanfaidh an fo-alt seo dochar d'aon chumhacht aon chuid den eastát a dháiltear amhlaidh a ghnóthú ar ais ar cumhacht í a éiríonn de bhua ordú a dhéanamh de bhun an ailt seo.
Cothabháil linbh.
23.—(1) Sonrófar in ordú cothabhála nó in ordú athrúcháin gach cuid d'íocaíocht faoin ordú ar le leanbh cleithiúnach a chothú í agus féadfar an tréimhse, le linn bheith beo don duine a d'iarr an t-ordú, a shonrú ann a ndéanfar an oiread sin d'íocaíocht faoin ordú, ar chun leanbh cleithiúnach a chothú é, a íoc ina haghaidh.
(2) Aon iompar den chineál dá dtagraítear in alt 20 (2) (i) nó 20 (3) nó in alt 22 ní foras é ar a ndiúltóidh cúirt ordú cothabhála a dhéanamh le leanbh cleithiúnach a chothú ná ní foras é an t-iompar sin ar a n-urscaoilfear nó ar a n-athrófar aon chuid d'ordú cothabhála lena ndéantar foráil maidir leis an leanbh sin a chothú.
An cléireach Cúirte Dúiche do tharchur íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla.
24.—D'ainneoin aon ní san Acht seo, beidh feidhm ag forálacha alt 9 den Acht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Cothabháil Céilí agus Leanaí), 1976, i ndáil le hordú le haghaidh cothabhála go dtí go ndéanfar agra, maidir le hordú i dtaobh íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla nó le hordú i dtaobh íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla urraithe, ach sin faoi réir na modhnuithe go bhforléireofar an tagairt don chreidiúnaí cothabhála i bhfo-alt (4) den alt sin 9 mar thagairt don duine lena ndéanfaí íocaíochtaí faoin ordú agus go bhforléireofar na tagairtí eile don chreidiúnaí cothabhála san alt sin 9 mar thagairtí don duine ar ar iarratas uaidh a rinneadh an t-ordú i dtaobh íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla.
Leasú ar alt 3 den Acht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Cothabháil Céilí agus Leanaí), 1976.
25.—(1) Faoi réir fho-alt (2) den alt seo, leasaítear leis seo alt 3 (1) den Acht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Cothabháil Céilí agus Leanaí), 1976, trí—
“(i) ordú ag ordú ailiúnas a íoc go dtí go ndéanfar agra nó go dtí go n-íocfar buan-ailiúnas;”
a scriosadh sa mhíniú ar “réamh-ordú” agus trí—
“(i) ordú le haghaidh ailiúnais go dtí go ndéanfar agra;
(j) ordú faoin Acht um Idirscaradh Breithiúnach agus Athchóiriú an Dlí Teaghlaigh, 1989, go n-íocfar cothabháil go dtí go ndéanfar agra nó ordú i dtaobh íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla faoin Acht sin.”
a chur ina ionad.
(2) Ní dhéanfaidh fo-alt (1) den alt seo difear d'fheidhmiú an Achta um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Cothabháil Céilí agus Leanaí), 1976, maidir le hordú chun buanailiúnas a íoc, a bheidh i bhfeidhm tráth thosach feidhme an Achta seo.
Ní asbhainfear cáin ioncaim as íocaíochtaí a dhéanfar.
26.—Ní asbhainfear cáin ioncaim as íocaíochtaí airgid a dhéanfar de bhun ordú faoin gCuid seo.
Feidhmiú orduithe i dtaobh íocaíochtaí cothabhála agus orduithe i dtaobh íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla maidir le fir de chuid Óglaigh na hÉireann.
27.—An tagairt in alt 98 (1) (h) den Acht Cosanta, 1954, d'ordú chun ailiúnas a íoc, forléireofar í mar thagairt a fholaíonn tagairtí d'ordú le haghaidh cothabhála go dtí go ndéanfar agra, d'ordú i dtaobh íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla agus d'ordú i dtaobh íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla urraithe.
Leasú ar an Acht um Fheidhmiú Orduithe Cúirte, 1940.
28.—Na tagairtí i bhfo-ailt (1) agus (7) d'alt 8 den Acht um Fheidhmiú Orduithe Cúirte, 1940 (arna leasú le halt 29 den Acht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Cothabháil Céilí agus Leanaí), 1976), d'ordú forléireofar iad mar thagairtí a fholaíonn tagairtí d'ordú chun cothabháil a íoc go dtí go ndéanfar agra agus d'ordú i dtaobh íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla faoin Acht seo.
Idirbhearta a bheith neamhbhailí más chun faoiseamh airgid a chosc nó a laghdú a bheartaítear iad.
29.—(1) Chun críocha an ailt seo, ciallaíonn “faoiseamh airgid” faoiseamh faoi aon fhoráil d'fhorálacha ailt 13, 14, 15, 16 (a), 16 (b), 21 agus 22 (seachas fo-alt (6)) den Acht seo, agus aon tagairt san alt seo do shárú a dhéanamh ar éileamh duine ar fhaoiseamh airgid, is tagairt í do chosc a chur le faoiseamh airgid a dheonú don duine sin, nó don duine sin chun sochair linbh chleithiúnaigh den teaghlach, nó do laghdú a dhéanamh ar mhéid an fhaoisimh airgid a d'fhéadfaí a dheonú amhlaidh, nó do chur isteach nó do chur bac ar fhorghníomhú aon ordaithe a d'fhéadfadh a bheith, nó a bheidh, déanta ar thionscnamh an duine sin faoi aon cheann de na forálacha sin.
(2) I gcás go ndéanfaidh duine amháin imeachtaí i leith faoisimh airgid a thabhairt ar aghaidh i gcoinne duine eile féadfaidh an chúirt, ar iarratas ón duine céadluaite—
(a) más deimhin léi go bhfuil an páirtí eile sna himeachtaí agus é ar intinn aige an t-éileamh ar fhaoiseamh airgid a shárú, ar tí aon diúscairt a dhéanamh nó aon mhaoin a aistriú amach as an dlínse nó déileáil ar shlí eile le haon mhaoin, cibé ordú a dhéanamh is cuí léi chun srian a chur ar an bpáirtí eile déanamh amhlaidh nó chun an t-éileamh a chosaint ar shlí eile;
(b) más deimhin léi go bhfuil an páirtí eile, agus an méid sin ar intinn aige, tar éis diúscairt in-athbhreithnithe a dhéanamh agus, i gcás an diúscairt a chur ar ceal, go ndeonófaí faoiseamh airgid nó faoiseamh airgid éagsúil don iarratasóir, ordú a dhéanamh ag cur na diúscartha ar ceal;
(c) más deimhin léi, i gcás go mbeidh an t-iarratasóir tar éis ordú a fháil i gcoinne an pháirtí eile faoi aon fhoráil de na forálacha atá luaite i bhfo-alt (1) den alt seo, go bhfuil an páirtí eile, agus an méid sin ar intinn aige, tar éis diúscairt in-athbhreithnithe a dhéanamh, ordú a dhéanamh ag cur na diúscartha ar ceal;
agus aon iarratas chun críoch mhír (b) déanfar é sna himeachtaí le haghaidh an fhaoisimh airgid faoi cheist.
(3) I gcás go ndéanfaidh an chúirt ordú faoi fho-alt (2) (b) nó (c) den alt seo ag cur diúscairt ar ceal tabharfaidh sí cibé orduithe iarmhartacha is cuí léi chun éifeacht a thabhairt don ordú (lena n-áirítear orduithe á cheangal go ndéanfar aon íocaíochtaí nó go ndiúscrófar aon mhaoin).
(4) Aon diúscairt a dhéanfaidh an páirtí eile sna himeachtaí i leith faoisimh airgid faoi cheist (cibé acu roimh dháta thosach feidhme na n-imeachtaí sin nó dá éis) is diúscairt in-athbhreithnithe í chun críocha fho-alt (2) (b) agus (c) den alt seo mura ndearnadh an diúscairt sin ar chomaoin luachmhar (seachas pósadh) le duine a ghníomhaigh, tráth na diúscartha, de mheon macánta i ndáil leis an diúscairt agus d'éagmais fógra go raibh sé ar intinn ag an bpáirtí eile, óna thaobhsan, éileamh an iarratasóra ar fhaoiseamh airgid a shárú.
(5) Má dhéantar iarratas faoin alt seo maidir le diúscairt a rinneadh tráth nach luaithe ná trí bliana roimh dháta an iarratais nó maidir le diúscairt nó déileáil eile le maoin atáthar ar tí a dhéanamh agus más deimhin leis an gcúirt—
(a) i gcás faoi fho-alt (2) (a) nó (b) den alt seo, go mbeadh de thoradh ar an diúscairt nó ar an déileáil eile (ar leith ón alt seo), nó
(b) i gcás faoi fho-alt (2) (c) den alt seo, go raibh de thoradh ar an diúscairt,
gur sáraíodh éileamh an iarratasóra ar fhaoiseamh airgid, toimhdeofar, mura suífear a mhalairt, maidir leis an duine a dhiúscair an mhaoin nó atá ar tí an mhaoin a dhiúscairt nó déileáil léi, go ndearna sé amhlaidh nó, de réir mar a bheidh, go bhfuil sé ar tí déanamh amhlaidh, agus é ar intinn aige éileamh an iarratasóra ar fhaoiseamh airgid a shárú.
(6) San alt seo ní fholaíonn “diúscairt” soláthar in uacht nó i gcodaisíl ach, seachas an eisceacht sin, folaíonn sé aon tíolacas, árachas nó bronntanas maoine d'aon tuairisc, cibé acu a dhéanfar é le hionstraim nó ar shlí eile.
CUID III
Dlínse Cúirte
Míniú (Cuid III).
30.—Sa chuid seo ciallaíonn “imeachtaí dlí teaghlaigh”, i ndáil le cúirt, imeachtaí os comhair cúirte dlínse inniúla faoi na hAchtanna seo—
(a) an tAcht seo,
(b) na hAchtanna Uchtála, 1952 go 1988,
(d) an tAcht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Cothabháil Céilí agus Leanaí), 1976,
(e) an tAcht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Céilí agus Leanaí a Chosaint), 1981,
(f) an tAcht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh, 1981,
(h) an Legitimacy Declaration Act (Ireland), 1868,
(i) an tAcht um Stádas Ban Pósta, 1957, nó
(j) an tAcht um Stádas Leanaí, 1987,
nó imeachtaí idir céilí faoin Partition Act, 1868, agus an Partition Act, 1876, i gcás gur ní ábhartha maidir leis na himeachtaí na céilí a bheith pósta le chéile.
Cúirteanna, dlínse agus láthair.
31.—(1) Tabharfar “an Chúirt Teaghlaigh Chuarda” ar an gCúirt Chuarda le linn di a dlínse a fheidhmiú chun imeachtaí dlí teaghlaigh a éisteacht agus a chinneadh nó, i gcás go mbeidh socrú déanta chuige sin, le linn di imeachtaí dlí teaghlaigh a aistriú chuig an Ard-Chúirt.
(2) Faoi réir fhorálacha eile an ailt seo, beidh i gcomhthráth leis an Ard-Chúirt, dlínse ag an gCúirt Teaghlaigh Chuarda, chun imeachtaí faoin Acht seo i leith foraithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh a éisteacht agus a chinneadh.
(3) Más rud é, in imeachtaí faoin Acht seo i leith foraithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh go bhféadfaí ordú a dhéanamh maidir le talamh ar mó ná £200 a luacháil inrátaithe agus go ndéanfar iarratas chun na Cúirte Teaghlaigh Cuarda chun na himeachtaí sin a thosú, aistreoidh an Chúirt sin na himeachtaí chun na hArd-Chúirte, má éilíonn an freagróir amhlaidh roimh éisteacht na n-imeachtaí sin, ach beidh aon ordú (lena n-áirítear ordú eatramhach) nó gníomh a rinneadh i gcúrsa na n-imeachtaí sin, roimh an aistriú sin, bailí mura ndéantar urscaoileadh nó athrú air le hordú ón Ard-Chúirt.
(4) An dlínse dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (2) den alt seo ní bheidh sí infheidhmithe ach amháin i gcás sainchónaí a bheith ar cheachtar céile sa Stát ar dháta an iarratais ag tosú imeachtaí nó i gcás gnáthchónaí a bheith air sa Stát i gcaitheamh na tréimhse aon bhliana dar críoch an dáta sin.
(5) An dlínse dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (2) den alt seo is é a fheidhmeoidh í, sa Chúirt Teaghlaigh Chuarda, an breitheamh den chuaird ina bhfuil gnáthchónaí ar cheachtar céile sna himeachtaí nó ina seolann ceachtar céile aon ghairm, gnó nó slí bheatha.
Imeachtaí a éisteacht.
32.—Is in áit dhifriúil nó ag tráthanna difriúla nó ar laethanta difriúla leo sin ar a dtionóltar gnáthshuíonna den Chúirt Chuarda a shuífidh an Chúirt Teaghlaigh Chuarda chun imeachtaí a thionscnaítear faoin Acht seo agus faoi na hAchtanna dá dtagraítear in alt 30 den Acht seo a éisteacht agus a chinneadh.
Seoladh imeachtaí teaghlaigh sa Chúirt Chuarda agus san Ard-Chúirt.
33.—(1) Beidh imeachtaí sa Chúirt Teaghlaigh Chuarda chomh neamhfhoirmiúil agus is féidir agus i gcomhréir le riaradh an cheartais.
(2) Breithiúna a shuífidh sa Chúirt Teaghlaigh Chuarda nó abhcóidí nó aturnaetha a bheidh i láthair sna cúirteanna sin ní chaithfidh siad peiriúicí ná róbaí.
(3) Aon imeachtaí dlí teaghlaigh a bheidh os comhair na hArd-Chúirte beidh siad chomh neamhfhoirmiúil agus is féidir agus i gcomhréir le riaradh an cheartais.
(4) Nuair a bheidh na himeachtaí dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (3) den alt seo á n-éisteacht agus á gcinneadh, ní chaithfidh breithiúna a shuífidh san Ard-Chúirt ná abhcóidí ná dlíodóirí a bheidh i láthair ag na himeachtaí sin peiriúicí ná róbaí.
Príobháideacht.
34.—Ní éistfear imeachtaí faoin Acht seo go poiblí.
Costais.
35.—Is de réir rogha na Cúirte a íocfar costais aon imeachtaí faoin Acht seo.
Rialacha cúirte.
36.—(1) Déanfar socrú le rialacha cúirte le haghaidh an doicim éadaithe a theastóidh chun imeachtaí a thosú go hachomair faoin Acht seo.
(2) Na rialacha cúirte, agus aon fhoirm nó cúrsa bunaithe pléadála, cleachtais nó nós imeachta, chun críoch aon achtacháin nó dlínse ar a bhfearann an tAcht seo, beidh feidhm acu, go dtí go gcuí-dhéanfar rialacha cúirte, chun na gcríoch sin maille le cibé oiriúnuithe is gá.
CUID IV
Ilghnéitheach
Cosaint i leith an dlí láithrigh.
37.—Ach amháin a mhéid a fhoráiltear a mhalairt san Acht seo, beidh feidhm ag an dlí a bhaineann le himeachtaí i leith colscartha a mensa et thoro, a mhéid is infheidhme, i ndáil le himeachtaí i leith idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh.
Leasú ar alt 5 agus 6 den Acht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Cothabháil Céilí agus Leanaí), 1976.
38.—(1) San alt seo ciallaíonn “Acht 1976” an tAcht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Cothabháil Céilí agus Leanaí), 1976.
(2) Leasaítear leis seo alt 5 d'Acht 1976—
(a) tríd an méid seo a leanas a chur isteach i bhfo-alt (2) i ndiaidh “den tréigean”:
“mura rud é, ag féachaint do na himthosca go léir (lena n-áirítear iompar an chéile eile), gurb é tuairim na Cúirte go mbeadh sé contrártha don cheartas gan ordú cothabhála a dhéanamh”,
(b) trí fho-alt (3) a scriosadh, agus
(c) tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh mhír (b) d'fho-alt (4):
“(c) iompar gach duine de na céilí, más iompar é de chineál go mbeadh sé, i dtuairim na Cúirte, contrártha don cheartas sna himthosca go léir neamhaird a thabhairt air.”
(3) Leasaítear leis seo alt 6 d'Acht 1976—
(a) tríd an méid seo a leanas a chur isteach, i mír (b) d'fho-alt (1), i ndiaidh “d'aon imthosca nach raibh ann nuair a rinneadh an t-ordú”:
“(lena n-áirítear iompar gach duine de na céilí, más iompar é de chineál go mbeadh sé, i dtuairim na Cúirte, contrártha don cheartas sna himthosca go léir neamhaird a thabhairt air)”,
(b) tríd an méid seo a leanas a chur isteach i bhfo-alt (2) i ndiaidh “agus go leanann sé nó sí den tréigean”:
“mura rud é, ag féachaint do na himthosca go léir (lena n-áirítear iompar an chéile eile), gurb é tuairim na Cúirte go mbeadh sé contrártha don cheartas déanamh amhlaidh.”,
(c) trí fho-alt (4) a scriosadh, agus
(d) trí “ná adhaltranas ag” a scriosadh i bhfo-alt (5) agus trí “ná iompar ag” a chur ina ionad.
Orduithe a urscaoileadh faoin Acht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Cothabháil Céilí agus Leanaí), 1976.
39.—Más rud é, tar éis ordú a dhéanamh faoi alt 5, 6, nó 7 den Acht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Cothabháil Céilí agus Leanaí), 1976, go ndéanfar iarratas ar idirscaradh breithiúnach idir na páirtithe sna himeachtaí ina ndearnadh an t-ordú sin, féadfaidh an Chúirt, ar inti a bheidh an t-iarratas, nó aon iarratas a bheidh déanta faoi Chuid II den Acht seo ar feitheamh, más cuí léi é, treoir a thabhairt go scoirfidh an t-ordú d'éifeacht a bheith leis ar cibé dáta a bheidh sonraithe sa treoir.
Tuarascálacha i dtaobh cásanna caomhnóireachta leanaí.
40.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 11 den Acht um Chaomhnóireacht Naíon, 1964, trí na fo-ailt seo a leanas a chur leis an alt sin:
“(5) Féadfaidh an chúirt, ar fhoriarratas uaithi féin nó ar iarratas faoin alt seo, cibé orduithe a thabhairt is cóir léi le hordú faoin alt seo d'fhonn tuairisc a fháil ó cibé duine a ainmneoidh sí ar aon cheist a fhearann ar leas an naín.
(6) Le linn don chúirt a bheith ag cinneadh cibé acu an iarrfaidh nó nach n-iarrfaidh sí tuairisc faoi fho-alt (5) den alt seo, beidh aird aici ar mhianta na bpáirtithe os comhair na cúirte más féidir na mianta sin a fhionnadh ach ní bheidh sí faoi cheangal ag na mianta sin.
(7) Déanfar cóip d'aon tuairisc a ullmhófar faoi fho-alt (5) a chur ar fáil don abhcóide nó don aturnae, más ann, a bheidh ag déanamh ionadaíochta do gach páirtí sna himeachtaí nó, i gcás nach mbeidh aon ionadaíocht a déanamh do pháirtí áirithe, don pháirtí sin agus féadfar é a ghlacadh mar fhianaise sna himeachtaí.
(8) I gcás go n-ullmhóidh aon duine tuairisc de bhun iarrata faoi fho-alt (5) den alt seo, déanfaidh cibé páirtí nó páirtithe sna himeachtaí dá n-ordóidh an chúirt táillí agus caiteachais an duine sin a íoc.
(9) Féadfaidh an chúirt, más cuí léi é, nó féadfaidh ceachtar páirtí sna himeachtaí, an duine a thabharfaidh an tuairisc a ghairm mar fhinné.”.
Coimeád leanaí cleithiúnacha.
41.—(1) I gcás go ndeonóidh an chúirt foraithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh féadfaidh sí a dhearbhú gur céile neamhoiriúnach ceachtar céile chun aon leanbh cleithiúnach den teaghlach a bheith ina choimeád.
(2) I gcás dearbhú den sórt sin a bheith i bhforaithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh, ansin más tuismitheoir de chuid aon linbh den teaghlach an céile lena mbaineann an dearbhú, ní bheidh an céile sin, ar bhás an chéile eile, i dteideal, de cheart, coimeád an linbh sin a bheith aige.
(3) Aisghairtear leis seo alt 18 (1) den Acht um Chaomhnóireacht Naíon, 1964, ach amháin i ndáil le caingean a tionscnaíodh roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo.
Leasú ar alt 120 (2) den Acht Comharbais, 1965.
42.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo alt 120 (2) den Acht Comharbais, 1965, trí na focail ó “a bhfuair an t-éagach foraithne idirscartha a mensa et thoro ina coinne,” go dtí na focail “agus céile” a scriosadh.
(2) Ní bheidh éifeacht le fo-alt (1) den alt seo i ndáil le foraithne idirscartha a mensa et thoro a deonaíodh in imeachtaí a tionscnaíodh roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo.
Foraithní idirscartha a mensa et thoro agus orduithe ailiúnais.
43.—Ní dhéanfaidh an tAcht seo difear d'aon ordú a dhéanfaidh an Chúirt Chuarda nó an Ard-Chúirt ag deonú foraithne idirscartha a mensa et thoro in imeachtaí a eisíodh roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo ach amháin go measfar chun gach críche gur ordú a rinneadh faoi alt 14 (1) (a) den Acht seo aon ordú ailiúnais a rinneadh tar éis an fhoraithne sin a dheonú.
Claonpháirteachas, maitheamh, frithmhilleánú, cúlcheadú.
44.—(1) Ní urchosc ar dheonú foraithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh claonpháirteachas idir na céilí i ndáil le hiarratas ar idirscaradh breithiúnach nó, faoi réir fho-alt (2) den alt seo, aon iompar (lena n-áirítear maitheamh nó frithmhilleánú) ar thaobh an iarratasóra.
(2) I gcás gur adhaltranas is foras d'iarratas ar fhoraithne idirscartha bhreithiúnaigh agus go gcruthaíonn an freagróir go ndearnadh an t-adhaltranas le cúlcheadú an iarratasóra, féadfaidh an chúirt an t-iarratas a dhiúltú.
Imeachtaí teaghlaigh sa Chúirt Dúiche a sheoladh.
45.—(1) Imeachtaí os comhair na Cúirte Dúiche faoin Acht um Chaomhnóireacht Naíon, 1964, faoin Acht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Cothabháil Céilí agus Leanaí), 1976, faoin Acht um Chaomhnú Áras an Teaghlaigh, 1976, faoi alt 9 den Acht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh, 1981, faoin Acht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Céilí agus Leanaí a Chosaint), 1981 agus faoin Acht um Stádas Leanaí, 1987, beidh siad chomh neamhfhoirmiúil agus is féidir agus i gcomhréir le riaradh an cheartais.
(2) Giúistísí dúiche a bheidh ag éisteacht agus ag cinneadh imeachtaí den chineál dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1) den alt seo nó abhcóidí nó aturnaetha a bheidh i láthair sna himeachtaí sin, ní chaithfidh siad peiriúicí ná róbaí.
Gearrtheideal agus tosach feidhme.
46.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht um Idirscaradh Breithiúnach agus Athchóiriú an Dlí Teaghlaigh, 1989, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh ar an lá a thitfidh sé mhí tar éis dháta rite an Achta seo.
Number 6 of 1989
JUDICIAL SEPARATION AND FAMILY LAW REFORM ACT, 1989
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
The obtaining of a Decree of Separation
Ancillary Financial, Property, Custody and Other Orders
Court Jurisdiction
Miscellaneous
Amendment of sections 5 and 6 of Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act, 1976. | |
Discharge of orders under Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act, 1976. | |
Acts Referred to | |
Adoption Acts, 1952 to 1988 | |
1954, No. 18 | |
1940, No. 23 | |
1976, No. 27 | |
1981, No. 22 | |
1976, No. 11 | |
1981, No. 21 | |
1964, No. 7 | |
Legitimacy Declaration Act (Ireland), 1868 | 1868, c. 20 |
1957, No. 5 | |
Matrimonial Causes and Marriage Law (Ireland) Amendment Act, 1870 | 1870, c. 110 |
Partition Act, 1868 | 1868, c. 40 |
Partition Act, 1876 | 1876, c. 17 |
1987, No. 26 | |
1965, No. 27 | |
Number 6 of 1989
JUDICIAL SEPARATION AND FAMILY LAW REFORM ACT, 1989
PART I
The obtaining of a Decree of Separation
Definition.
1.—In this Act, except where the context otherwise requires—
“the court” means the court having jurisdiction under Part III of this Act.
Application for a decree of judicial separation.
2.—(1) An application by a spouse for a decree of judicial separation from the other spouse may be made to the court having jurisdiction to hear and determine proceedings under Part III of this Act on one or more of the following grounds:
(a) that the respondent has committed adultery;
(b) that the respondent has behaved in such a way that the applicant cannot reasonably be expected to live with the respondent;
(c) subject to subsection (2) of this section, that there has been desertion by the respondent of the applicant for a continuous period of at least one year immediately preceding the date of the application;
(d) subject to subsection (2) of this section, that the spouses have lived apart from one another for a continuous period of at least one year immediately preceding the date of the application and the respondent consents to a decree being granted;
(e) subject to subsection (2) of this section, that the spouses have lived apart from one another for a continuous period of at least three years immediately preceding the date of the application;
(f) that the marriage has broken down to the extent that the court is satisfied in all the circumstances that a normal marital relationship has not existed between the spouses for a period of at least one year immediately preceding the date of the application.
(2) In considering for the purposes of subsection (1) of this section, whether—
(a) in the case of paragraph (c) of that subsection, the period for which the respondent has deserted the applicant, or
(b) in the case of paragraph (d) or (e) of that subsection, the period for which the spouses have lived apart,
has been continuous, no account shall be taken of any one period (not exceeding 6 months) or of any two or more periods (not exceeding 6 months in all) during which the spouses resumed living with each other, but no such period or periods during which the spouses lived with each other shall count as part of the period of desertion or the period for which the spouses have lived apart, as the case may be:
Provided that this subsection shall only apply where the spouses are not living with each other at the time the application is made.
(3) (a) In this section spouses shall be treated as living apart from each other unless they are living with each other in the same household, and references to spouses living with each other shall be construed as references to their living with each other in the same household.
(b) In this section “desertion” includes conduct on the part of one spouse that results in the other spouse, with just cause, leaving and living apart from that other spouse.
Grant of decree of judicial separation, custody, etc. of children.
3.—(1) Where, on an application under section 2 of this Act, the court is satisfied that any of the grounds referred to in subsection (1) of that section which have been relied on by the applicant have been proved on the balance of probabilities, the court shall, subject to subsection (2) of this section and sections 5 and 6 of this Act, grant a decree of judicial separation in respect of the spouses concerned.
(2) (a) Where there are, in respect of the spouses concerned, any dependent children of the family, the court shall not grant a decree of judicial separation unless the court—
(i) is satisfied that such provision has been made, or
(ii) intends by order upon the granting of the decree to make such provision,
for the welfare of those children as is proper in the circumstances.
(b) In this subsection—
“dependent children of the family” has the same meaning as it has for the purposes of Part II of this Act;
“welfare” comprises the religious and moral, intellectual, physical and social welfare of the children concerned.
(3) Upon the granting of a decree of judicial separation by the court, the court may, where appropriate, by order give such directions under section 11 of the Guardianship of Infants Act, 1964, as it thinks proper regarding the welfare or custody of, or right of access to, an infant (being an infant within the meaning of that Act) as if an application had been made under that section.
Supplemental provisions as to proof of adultery and unreasonable behaviour.
4.—(1) Where the spouses have lived with each other for more than 1 year after it became known to the applicant that the respondent had committed adultery the applicant shall not be entitled to rely on that adultery for the purposes of section 2 (1) (a) although that adultery may be one of the factors that the applicant may rely on for the purposes of section 2 (1) (b) together with other matters.
(2) Where the applicant alleges that the respondent has behaved in such a way that the applicant cannot reasonably be expected to cohabit with him but the spouses have cohabited for a period or periods after the date of the occurrence of the final incident relied on by the applicant and held by the court to support his allegation, such cohabitation shall be disregarded in determining for the purpose of section 2 (1) (b) of this Act whether the applicant cannot be reasonably expected to live with the respondent if the length of the period or of those periods of cohabitation together was or were 6 months or less.
Safeguards to ensure applicant's awareness of alternatives to separation proceedings and to assist attempts at reconciliation.
5.—(1) A solicitor, if any, acting for an applicant for a decree of judicial separation shall, prior to the making of an application for a decree of judicial separation—
(a) discuss with the applicant the possibility of reconciliation and give to him the names and addresses of persons qualified to help effect a reconciliation between spouses who have become estranged, and
(b) discuss with the applicant the possibility of engaging in mediation to help effect a separation on an agreed basis with an estranged spouse and give to him the names and addresses of persons and organisations qualified to provide a mediation service, and
(c) discuss with the applicant the possibility of effecting a separation by the negotiation and conclusion of a separation deed or written separation agreement.
(2) An application for judicial separation shall be accompanied by a certificate by the solicitor, if any, acting on behalf of the applicant that he has complied with the provisions of subsection (1) of this section and, where a solicitor does not so certify, the court may adjourn the proceedings for such period as it deems reasonable for the applicant's solicitor to discuss with the applicant the matters referred to in that subsection.
(3) Provision shall be made by rules of court for the certification required for the purposes of subsection (2) of this section.
Safeguards to ensure respondent's awareness of alternatives to separation proceedings and to assist attempts at reconciliation.
6.—(1) A solicitor, if any, acting for a respondent in an application for a decree of judicial separation shall, as soon as possible after receiving instructions from the respondent—
(a) discuss with the respondent the possibility of reconciliation and give to him the names and addresses of persons qualified to help effect a reconciliation between parties to a marriage who have become estranged, and
(b) discuss with the respondent the possibility of engaging in mediation to help effect a separation on an agreed basis with an estranged spouse and give to him the names and addresses of persons and organisations qualified to provide a mediation service, and
(c) discuss with the respondent the possibility of effecting a separation by the negotiation and conclusion of a separation deed or written separation agreement.
(2) An Entry of Appearance or a Notice of Intention to Defend an application for judicial separation shall be accompanied by a certificate by the solicitor, if any, acting on behalf of the respondent, that he has complied with the provisions of subsection (1) of this section and where a solicitor does not so certify, the court may adjourn the proceedings for such period as it deems reasonable for the respondent's solicitor to discuss with the respondent the matters referred to in that subsection.
(3) Provision shall be made by rules of court for the certification required for the purposes of this section.
Adjournment of proceedings to assist reconciliation or agreements on separation.
7.—(1) Where an application is made under this Act to the court for a decree of judicial separation, the court shall give consideration to the possibility of a reconciliation of the spouses concerned and, accordingly, may adjourn the proceedings at any time for the purpose of affording the spouses an opportunity, if they both so wish, to consider a reconciliation between themselves with or without the assistance of a third party.
(2) If during any adjournment of proceedings to which subsection (1) of this section relates the spouses resume living with each other, no account shall be taken of that fact for the purposes of those proceedings.
(3) Where on an application made under this Act for a decree of judicial separation it appears to the court that no reconciliation of the spouses concerned is possible, it may adjourn or further adjourn the proceedings for the purpose of affording the spouses an opportunity, if they both so wish, to establish agreement (with or without the assistance of a third party) on the terms, so far as is possible, of the separation.
(4) If an adjournment has taken place by virtue of subsection (1) or (3) of this section, either or both of the spouses may request that the hearing of the application be proceeded with and, without prejudice to subsection (5) of this section, the court shall resume hearing the application as soon as is practicable.
(5) The power of adjournment exercisable under subsections (1) and (3) of this section is in addition to and not in substitution for any other power of adjournment exercisable by the court.
(6) Where the court adjourns proceedings under subsection (1) or (3) of this section, it may at its discretion advise the spouses concerned to seek the assistance of a third party for the purpose set out in the appropriate subsection.
(7) Any oral or written communication between either spouse and any third party to whom subsection (1), (3) or (6) of this section relates (whether or not made in the presence of the other spouse) and any record of such communication caused to be made by such third party, shall not be admissible as evidence in any court.
Effect of judicial separation and rescission of decree of separation and ancillary orders upon reconciliation.
8.—(1) Where the court grants a decree of judicial separation it shall no longer be obligatory for the spouses who were the parties to such proceedings to cohabit.
(2) Following the granting of a decree of judicial separation the applicant and the respondent in the separation proceedings may at any future date by consent apply to the court to rescind the decree of separation granted and such order of rescission shall be made by the court upon it being satisfied that a reconciliation has taken place between the applicant and the respondent and that they have already resumed or again wish to resume cohabiting as husband and wife.
(3) Upon making an order of rescission under subsection (2) of this section the court may also make such necessary ancillary order or orders as it deems proper in the circumstances with regard to any orders previously made under Part II of this Act.
Abolition of decree of divorce a mensa et thoro, etc.
9.—(1) After the commencement of this Act, no action shall lie for divorce a mensa et thoro.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall not have effect in relation to any action instituted before the commencement of this Act.
PART II
Ancillary Financial, Property, Custody and Other Orders
Definitions (Part II).
10.—In this Part, save where the context otherwise requires—
“conveyance” includes a mortgage, lease, assent, transfer, disclaimer, release and any other disposition of property otherwise than by a will or a donatio mortis causa and also includes an enforceable agreement (whether conditional or unconditional) to make any such conveyance;
“dependent child of the family” in relation to a spouse or spouses means any child—
(a) of both spouses or adopted by both spouses under the Adoption Acts, 1952 to 1988 or in relation to whom both spouses are in loco parentis, or
(b) of either spouse or adopted by either spouse under the Adoption Acts, 1952 to 1988 or in relation to whom either spouse is in loco parentis where the other spouse being aware that he is not the parent of the child has treated the child as a member of the family,
who is under the age of 16 years or if he has attained that age—
(i) is or will be or if an order were made under this Act providing for periodical payments for his support or for the provision of a lump sum would be receiving full-time education or instruction at any university, college, school or other educational establishment and is under the age of 21 years, or
(ii) is suffering from mental or physical disability to such extent that it is not reasonably possible for him to maintain himself fully;
“dwelling” means—
(a) any building, or
(b) any structure, vehicle or vessel (whether mobile or not),
or part thereof, occupied as a separate dwelling and includes any garden or portion of ground attached to and usually occupied with the dwelling or otherwise required for the amenity and convenience of the dwelling;
“family home” means, primarily, a dwelling in which a married couple ordinarily reside and comprises, in addition, a dwelling in which a spouse whose protection is in issue ordinarily resides or, if that spouse has left the other spouse, ordinarily resided before so leaving;
“household chattels” means furniture, bedding, linen, china, earthenware, glass, books and other chattels of ordinary household use or ornament and also consumable stores, garden effects and domestic animals but does not include any chattels used by either spouse for business or professional purposes or money or security for money.
Preliminary orders in judicial separation proceedings.
11.—After an application for a decree of judicial separation has been issued, the court, before deciding whether to grant or refuse to grant such decree, may if it appears to the court proper to do so make any one or more of the following orders—
(a) a barring or protection order pursuant to section 2 or section 3 of the Family Law (Protection of Spouses and Children) Act, 1981;
(b) a custody or access order or other order on any question affecting the welfare of an infant pursuant to section 11 of the Guardianship of Infants Act, 1964;
(c) an order for the protection of the family home or of any moneys realised from the conveyance of any interest in the family home pursuant to section 5 of the Family Home Protection Act, 1976;
(d) an order for the protection of household chattels or any moneys realised from the sale thereof pursuant to section 9 of the Family Home Protection Act, 1976.
Making of applications for preliminary orders.
12.—A court may make orders under section 11 if sought by the applicant or the respondent without separate proceedings having to be instituted under the Acts referred to in the said section as preliminary orders in proceedings for judicial separation brought under this Act.
Maintenance pending suit, etc.
13.—Where application is made for a judicial separation the court may make an order for maintenance pending suit, that is to say, an order requiring either spouse to make to the other spouse such periodical payments for the support of that other spouse and of such (if any) dependent children of the family, for such period beginning not earlier than the date of the application and ending not later than the date of the determination of that application, as the court considers proper.
Periodical payments and lump sum orders.
14.—(1) On granting a decree of judicial separation or at any time thereafter the court may, on application to it by either spouse, make any one or more of the following orders—
(a) a periodical payments order, that is to say—
(i) an order that either spouse shall make to the other spouse such periodical payments of such amount and at such times as may be specified in the order; or
(ii) an order that either spouse shall make to such person as may be specified in the order for the benefit of a dependent child of the family such periodical payments of such amount and at such time as may be so specified;
(b) a secured periodical payments order, that is to say—
(i) an order that either spouse shall secure to the other spouse to the satisfaction of the court, such periodical payments as may be so specified; or
(ii) an order that a spouse shall secure to such person as may be so specified for the benefit of such dependent child of the family such periodical payments to the satisfaction of the court as may be so specified;
(c) an order that either spouse shall pay to the other spouse such lump sum or sums of such amount and at such time or times as may be so specified;
(d) an order that a spouse shall pay to such person as may be specified for the benefit of a dependent child of the family such lump sum or sums of such amount and at such time or times as may be so specified.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) (c) or (d) of this section—
(a) an order under this section that a spouse shall pay a lump sum to the other spouse may be made for the purpose of enabling that other spouse to meet any liabilities or expenses reasonably incurred by him or her, before making an application for an order under this section in his or her favour, in maintaining himself or herself or any dependent child of the family;
(b) an order under this section for the payment of a lump sum for the benefit of a dependent child of the family may be made for the purpose of enabling any liabilities or expenses reasonably incurred by or for the benefit of that child before the making of an application for an order under this section in his favour to be met; and
(c) an order under this section for the payment of a lump sum may provide for the payment of that sum by instalments of such amount as may be specified in the order and may require the payment of the instalments to be secured to the satisfaction of the court.
Property adjustment orders.
15.—(1) On granting a decree of judicial separation or at any time thereafter, the court may, on application to it by either spouse, make a property adjustment order, that is to say, any one or more of the following orders—
(a) an order that a spouse shall transfer to the other spouse, to any dependent child of the family or to such person as may be specified in the order for the benefit of such a child such property as may be so specified, being property to which the first-mentioned spouse is entitled, either in possession or reversion;
(b) an order that a settlement of such property as may be so specified, being property to which a spouse is so entitled, be made to the satisfaction of the court for the benefit of the other spouse and of any dependent child of the family or any or all of those persons;
(c) an order varying for the benefit of the spouses and of any dependent child of the family or any or all of those persons any ante-nuptial or post-nuptial settlement (including such a settlement made by will or codicil) made on the spouses;
(d) an order extinguishing or reducing the interest of either of the spouses under any such settlement.
(2) The court may, following the granting of a decree of judicial separation, consider and determine whether an order or orders should be made by it in favour of a spouse under this section on one occasion only unless on that occasion a spouse wilfully conceals information of a material nature relevant to the making of any such order or orders.
Miscellaneous ancillary orders.
16.—On granting a decree of judicial separation or at any time thereafter, the court may, on application to it by either spouse, make any one or more of the following orders:
(a) an order conferring on one spouse either for life or for such other period (definite or contingent) as the court may specify the right to occupy the family home to the exclusion of the other spouse;
(b) an order for the sale of the family home subject to such conditions as the court considers proper;
(c) an order under section 12 of the Married Women's Status Act, 1957, determining any dispute between the spouses as to the title to or possession of any property;
(d) an order under section 4, 5 or 9 of the Family Home Protection Act, 1976;
(e) an order under section 2 or 3 of the Family Law (Protection of Spouses and Children) Act, 1981;
(f) an order for the partition of property or under the Partition Acts 1868 and 1876;
(g) an order under section 11 of the Guardianship of Infants Act, 1964 concerning any dependent child of the family.
Order extinguishing succession rights.
17.—(1) On granting a decree of judicial separation, or at any time thereafter, the court shall, on the application of either spouse, consider whether it should make an order extinguishing the share that either spouse would otherwise be entitled to in the estate of the other spouse as a legal right or on intestacy under the Succession Act, 1965.
(2) The court shall make an order extinguishing the share that a spouse would otherwise be entitled to in the estate of the other spouse as a legal right or on intestacy under the said Act of 1965 if—
(a) it is satisfied, having regard to the provisions of section 20, that adequate and reasonable provision of a permanent nature has been made to provide for the future security of the spouse whose succession rights are in question, or
(b) it is satisfied, having regard to the provisions of section 20, that the case is not one where provision of a permanent nature requires to be made for the future security of the spouse whose succession rights are in question, or
(c) the spouse whose succession rights are in question is not a spouse for the support of whom the court, having had regard to the provisions of section 20 (including subsections (2) (i) and (3)) made an order under section 14, 15 or 16 (a), or
(d) it is satisfied that the spouse whose succession rights are in question is not a spouse for the support of whom the court would, having regard to the provisions of section 20 (including subsections (2) (i) and (3)), make an order under section 14, 15 or 16 (a) if an application were made to it in that regard.
Orders for sale of property.
18.—(1) Where the court makes a secured periodical payments order, an order for the payment of a lump sum or a property adjustment order, then, on making that order or at any time thereafter, the court may make a further order for the sale of such property as may be specified in that order, being property in which or in the proceeds of sale of which either or both spouses has or have a beneficial interest, either in possession or reversion.
(2) The power to make an order for sale in the case of a property adjustment order shall not be exercised so as to interfere with a right to occupy the family home conferred by that order.
(3) An order under subsection (1) of this section may contain such consequential or supplementary provisions as the court thinks fit and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision, may include—
(a) provision requiring the making of a payment out of the proceeds of sale of the property to which the order relates, and
(b) provision requiring any such property to be offered for sale to a person, or class of persons, specified in the order.
(4) Where an order is made under subsection (1) of this section, the court may direct that the order, or such provision thereof as the court may specify, shall not take effect until the occurrence of an event specified by the court or the expiration of a period so specified.
(5) Where an order under subsection (1) of this section contains a provision requiring the proceeds of sale of the property to which the order relates to be used to secure periodical payments to a spouse, the order shall cease to have effect on the death of that spouse.
(6) Where a spouse has a beneficial interest in any property, or in the proceeds of sale thereof, and some other person who is not one of the spouses also has a beneficial interest in that property or in the proceeds of sale thereof, then, before deciding whether to make an order under this section in relation to that property, it shall be the duty of the court to give that other person an opportunity to make representations with respect to the order; and any representations made by that other person shall be included among the circumstances to which the court is required to have regard under section 20.
Additional family home jurisdiction.
19.—The court shall exercise its jurisdiction under section 16 (a) and (b) above as an additional jurisdiction to that which arises under the Family Law (Protection of Spouses and Children) Act, 1981 and the Family Home Protection Act, 1976 and shall in exercising such jurisdiction have regard to the welfare of the family as a whole and in particular shall take into consideration—
(a) that where a decree of judicial separation is granted it is not possible for the spouses to continue to reside together;
(b) that proper and secure accommodation should, where practicable, be provided for a dependent spouse and any dependent child of the family;
(c) the matters referred to in section 20 of this Act.
Provisions relating to maintenance, property and other orders.
20.—(1) In deciding whether to exercise its powers under section 13, 14, 15 or 16 (a) or (b) of this Act and, if so, in what manner, the court shall seek to ensure that such provision is made for any spouse and for any dependent child of the family as is adequate and reasonable having regard to all the circumstances of the case.
(2) As regards the exercise of the powers of the court under section 13, 14, 15 or 16 (a) or (b) of this Act in relation to a spouse, the court shall in particular have regard to the following matters—
(a) the income, earning capacity, property and other financial resources which each of the spouses has or is likely to have in the foreseeable future;
(b) the financial needs, obligations and responsibilities which each of the spouses has or is likely to have in the foreseeable future;
(c) the standard of living enjoyed by the family before proceedings were instituted or before the spouses separated, as the case may be;
(d) the age of each spouse, the duration of the marriage and the length of time the spouses lived together;
(e) any physical or mental disability of either spouse;
(f) the contributions which each of the spouses has made or is likely in the foreseeable future to make to the welfare of the family, including the contribution made by each spouse to the income, earning capacity, property and financial resources of the other and any contribution by looking after the home or caring for the family;
(g) the effect on the earning capacity of each spouse of the marital responsibilities assumed by each during the period when they lived together and, in particular, the degree to which the future earning capacity of a spouse is impaired by reason of having relinquished or foregone the opportunity of remunerative activity in order to look after the home or care for the family;
(h) any income or benefits to which either spouse is entitled by or under statute;
(i) the conduct of each of the spouses, if that conduct is such that in the opinion of the court it would in all the circumstances be repugnant to justice to disregard it;
(j) the accommodation needs of either spouse.
(3) The court shall not make an order under section 13, 14, 15 or 16 (a) or (b) of this Act for the support of a spouse where the spouse has deserted and has continued to desert the other spouse up to the time of the institution of proceedings for a decree of judicial separation unless, having regard to all the circumstances (including the conduct of the other spouse), the court is of opinion that it would be repugnant to justice not to make such order or orders.
(4) As regards the exercise of the powers of the court under section 13, 14 or 15 of this Act in relation to any dependent child of the family, the court shall in particular have regard to the following matters—
(a) the financial needs of the child;
(b) the income, earning capacity (if any), property and other financial resources of the child;
(c) any physical or mental disability of the child;
(d) any income or benefits to which the child is entitled by or under statute;
(e) the manner in which he was being and in which the spouses expected him to be educated or trained;
(f) the considerations mentioned in relation to the spouses in subsection (2) (a), (b), (c) and (e) of this section;
(g) the accommodation needs of the child.
(5) In this section “desertion” includes conduct on the part of one spouse that results in the other spouse, with just cause, leaving and living apart from that other spouse.
Retrospective maintenance orders.
21.—(1) The court may when making a periodical payments order under section 14 (1) (a) provide that the sum ordered to be paid by it be backdated to the date when the separation application was issued, but no earlier, where it is deemed appropriate that such order be made having regard to all the circumstances of the case and may in so doing order that any arrears of maintenance it accordingly deems to have accumulated be paid by way of a lump sum by a specified date and may in ordering the payment of such lump sum give credit to the spouse ordered to make such payment for any relevant moneys paid by him to the spouse to whom such payment is to be made in the period between the dates when the separation proceedings were issued and a decree of judicial separation was granted.
(2) The jurisdiction conferred on the court to make a lump sum order under subsection (1) of this section is without prejudice to the generality of the jurisdiction to make such order arising under section 14 (1) (c) and 14 (1) (d).
Variation and discharge of financial and property orders.
22.—(1) Where the court has made an order to which this section applies, then subject to the provisions of this section and of section 20 of this Act, the court may, on application to it by either spouse, if it considers it proper to do so having regard to any change in the circumstances and to any new evidence, vary or discharge the order or suspend any provision thereof temporarily, revive the operation of any provision so suspended, and in any appropriate case again vary any such order or again suspend or revive its operation.
(2) This section applies to the following orders—
(a) an order for maintenance pending suit;
(b) a periodical payments order;
(c) a secured periodical payments order;
(d) that part of an order for the payment of a lump sum which provides for the payment of that sum by instalments or requires the payment of such instalments to be secured;
(e) an order in relation to the occupation of the family home, and
(f) an order for the sale of property.
(3) Without prejudice to the generality of section 14 of this Act that part of an order which provides of the support of a dependent child shall stand discharged where the child ceases to be a dependent child of the family by reason of his attainment of the age of sixteen years or twenty-one years, as the case may be, and shall be discharged by the court, on application to it under subsection (1) of this section, if it is satisfied that the child has for any reason ceased to be a dependent child of the family.
(4) The powers exercisable by the court under this section in relation to an order shall be exercisable also in relation to any instrument executed in pursuance of the order.
(5) No property adjustment order shall be made on an application for the variation of a periodical payments or secured periodical payments order made (whether in favour of a spouse or in favour of a dependent child of the family) under section 14 of this Act.
(6) Where the spouse liable to make payments under a secured periodical payments order has died, an application under this section relating to that order (and to any order which requires the proceeds of sale of property to be used for securing those payments) may be made by the spouse entitled to payment under the periodical payments order or by the personal representatives of the deceased spouse, but no such application shall, except with the permission of the court, be made after the end of the period of twelve months from the date on which representation in respect of the estate of the deceased is first granted.
(7) The personal representatives of a deceased spouse against whom a secured periodical payments order was made shall not be liable for having distributed any part of the estate of the deceased after the expiration of the period of twelve months referred to in subsection (6) of this section on the ground that they ought to have taken into account the possibility that the court might permit an application under this section to be made after that period by the person entitled to payments under the order; but this subsection shall not prejudice any power to recover any part of the estate so distributed arising by virtue of the making of an order in pursuance of this section.
Child maintenance.
23.—(1) A maintenance or a variation order shall specify each part of a payment under the order that is for the support of a dependent child and may specify the period during the lifetime of the person applying for the order for which so much of a payment under the order as is for the support of a dependent child shall be made.
(2) Conduct of the nature referred to in section 20(2)(i) or 20(3) or in section 22 shall not be a ground upon which a court shall refuse to make a maintenance order for the support of a dependent child and shall not be a ground for discharging or varying any part of a maintenance order that provides for the support of such child.
Transmission of periodical payments through District Court clerk.
24.—Notwithstanding anything in this Act, the provisions of section 9 of the Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act, 1976, shall apply in relation to an order for maintenance pending suit, to a periodical payments order or a secured periodical payments order, subject to the modifications that the reference in subsection (4) of the said section 9 to the maintenance creditor shall be construed as a reference to the person to whom payments under the order would be made and the other references in the said section 9 to the maintenance creditor shall be construed as references to the person on whose application the periodical payments order was made.
Amendment of section 3 of Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act, 1976.
25.—(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, section 3 (1) of the Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act, 1976, is hereby amended by the deletion in the definition of “antecedent order” of—
“(i) an order for payment of alimony pending suit or permanent alimony;”
and the substitution of—
“(i) an order for alimony pending suit;
(j) an order for payment of maintenance pending suit under the Judicial Separation and Family Law Reform Act, 1989, or a periodical payments order under that Act”.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall not affect the application of the Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act, 1976, to an order for payment of permanent alimony in force at the commencement of this Act.
Payments to be made without deduction of income tax.
26.—Payments of money pursuant to an order under this Part shall be made without deduction of income tax.
Application of maintenance and periodical payments orders to men of Defence Forces.
27.—The reference in section 98 (1) (h) of the Defence Act, 1954, to an order for payment of alimony shall be construed as including references to an order for maintenance pending suit, a periodical payments order and a secured periodical payments order.
Amendment of Enforcement of Court Orders Act, 1940.
28.—The references in subsections (1) and (7) of section 8 of the Enforcement of Court Orders Act, 1940 (as amended by section 29 of the Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act, 1976), to an order shall be construed as including references to an order for payment of maintenance pending suit and a periodical payments order under this Act.
Voidance of transactions intended to prevent or reduce financial relief.
29.—(1) For the purposes of this section, “financial relief” means relief under any of the provisions of sections 13, 14, 15, 16 (a), 16 (b), 21 and 22 (except subsection (6)) of this Act, and any reference in this section to defeating a person's claim for financial relief is a reference to preventing financial relief from being granted to that person, or to that person for the benefit of a dependent child of the family, or reducing the amount of any financial relief which might be so granted, or frustrating or impeding the enforcement of any order which might be or has been made at the instance of that person under any of those provisions.
(2) Where proceedings for financial relief are brought by one person against another, the court may, on the application of the first-mentioned person—
(a) if it is satisfied that the other party to the proceedings is, with the intention of defeating the claim for financial relief, about to make any disposition or to transfer out of the jurisdiction or otherwise deal with any property, make such order as it thinks fit for the purpose of restraining the other party from so doing or otherwise for protecting the claim;
(b) if it is satisfied that the other party has, with that intention, made a reviewable disposition and that if the disposition were set aside financial relief or different financial relief would be granted to the applicant, make an order setting aside the disposition;
(c) if it is satisfied, in a case where an order has been obtained under any of the provisions mentioned in subsection (1) of this section by the applicant against the other party, that the other party has, with that intention, made a reviewable disposition, make an order setting aside the disposition;
and an application for the purposes of paragraph (b) shall be made in the proceedings for the financial relief in question.
(3) Where the court makes an order under subsection (2) (b) or (c) of this section setting aside a disposition it shall give such consequential directions as it thinks fit for giving effect to the order (including directions requiring the making of any payments or the disposal of any property).
(4) Any disposition made by the other party to the proceedings for financial relief in question (whether before or after the commencement of those proceedings) is a reviewable disposition for the purposes of subsection (2) (b) and (c) of this section unless it was made for valuable consideration (other than marriage) to a person who, at the time of the disposition, acted in relation to it in good faith and without notice of any intention on the part of the other party to defeat the applicant's claim for financial relief.
(5) Where an application is made under this section with respect to a disposition which took place less than three years before the date of the application or with respect to a disposition or other dealing with property which is about to take place and the court is satisfied—
(a) in a case falling within subsection (2) (a) or (b) of this section, that the disposition or other dealing would (apart from this section) have the consequence, or
(b) in a case falling within subsection (2) (c) of this section, that the disposition has had the consequence,
of defeating the applicant's claim for financial relief, it shall be presumed, unless the contrary is shown, that the person who disposed of or is about to dispose of or deal with the property did so or, as the case may be, is about to do so, with the intention of defeating the applicant's claim for the financial relief.
(6) In this section “disposition” does not include provision contained in a will or codicil but, with that exception, includes any conveyance, assurance or gift of property of any description, whether made by an instrument or otherwise.
PART III
Court Jurisdiction
Definition (Part III).
30.—In this Part “family law proceedings”, in relation to a court, means proceedings before a court of competent jurisdiction under—
(a) this Act,
(b) the Adoption Acts, 1952 to 1988,
(c) the Family Home Protection Act, 1976,
(d) the Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act, 1976,
(e) the Family Law (Protection of Spouses and Children) Act, 1981,
(f) the Family Law Act, 1981,
(g) the Guardianship of Infants Act, 1964,
(h) the Legitimacy Declaration Act (Ireland), 1868,
(i) The Married Women's Status Act, 1957, or
(j) the Status of Children Act, 1987,
or between spouses under the Partition Act, 1868, and the Partition Act, 1876, where the fact that they are married to each other is of relevance to the proceedings.
Courts, jurisdiction and venue.
31.—(1) The Circuit Court shall be known as “the Circuit Family Court” when exercising its jurisdiction to hear and determine family law proceedings or, where provided for, when transferring family law proceedings to the High Court.
(2) Subject to the other provisions of this section, the Circuit Family Court shall, concurrently with the High Court, have jurisdiction to hear and determine proceedings under this Act for a decree of judicial separation.
(3) Where in proceedings under this Act for a decree of judicial separation an order could be made in respect of land whose rateable valuation exceeds £200 and an application commencing those proceedings is made to the Circuit Family Court, that Court shall, if the respondent so requires before the hearing thereof, transfer those proceedings to the High Court, but any order made (including an interim order) or act done in the course of those proceedings before such transfer shall be valid unless discharged or varied by order of the High Court.
(4) The jurisdiction referred to in subsection (2) of this section shall only be exercisable where either of the spouses is domiciled in the State on the date of the application commencing proceedings or is ordinarily resident in the State throughout the period of one year ending on that date.
(5) The jurisdiction referred to in subsection (2) of this section shall, in the Circuit Family Court, be exercised by the judge of the circuit where either spouse to the proceedings ordinarily resides or carries on any profession, business or occupation.
Hearing of proceedings.
32.—The Circuit Family Court shall sit to hear and determine proceedings instituted under this Act and under the Acts referred to in section 30 of this Act in a different place or at different times or on different days from those on which the ordinary sittings of the Circuit Court are held.
Conduct of family proceedings in Circuit and High Courts.
33.—(1) Circuit Family Court proceedings shall be as informal as is practicable and consistent with the administration of justice.
(2) Neither judges sitting in the Circuit Family Court nor barristers nor solicitors appearing in such courts shall wear wigs or gowns.
(3) Family law proceedings before the High Court shall be as informal as is practicable and consistent with the administration of justice.
(4) In hearing and determining such proceedings as are referred to in subsection (3) of this section neither judges sitting in the High Court nor barristers nor solicitors appearing in such proceedings shall wear wigs or gowns.
Privacy.
34.—Proceedings under this Act shall be heard otherwise than in public.
Costs.
35.—The costs of any proceedings under this Act shall be at the discretion of the court.
Rules of court.
36.—(1) Rules of court shall provide for the documentation required for the commencement of proceedings under this Act in a summary manner.
(2) The rules of court, and any established form or course of pleading, practice or procedure, for the purposes of any enactment or jurisdiction affected by this Act shall, pending the due making of rules of court, apply for such purposes with such adaptations as may be necessary.
PART IV
Miscellaneous
Saver for existing law.
37.—Save in so far as otherwise provided in this Act, the law relating to proceedings for divorce a mensa et thoro shall, so far as applicable, apply in relation to proceedings for judicial separation.
Amendment of sections 5 and 6 of Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act, 1976.
38.—(1) In this section “the Act of 1976” means the Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act, 1976.
(2) Section 5 of the Act of 1976 is hereby amended—
(a) by the insertion in subsection (2) after “the other spouse” of the following:
“unless, having regard to all the circumstances (including the conduct of the other spouse), the Court is of opinion that it would be repugnant to justice not to make a maintenance order”,
(b) by the deletion of subsection (3), and
(c) by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph (b) of subsection (4):
“(c) the conduct of each of the spouses, if that conduct is such that in the opinion of the Court it would in all the circumstances be repugnant to justice to disregard it.”.
(3) Section 6 of the Act of 1976 is hereby amended—
(a) by the insertion in paragraph (b) of subsection (1), after “any circumstances not existing when the order was made”, of the following:
“(including the conduct of each of the spouses, if that conduct is such that in the opinion of the Court it would in all the circumstances be repugnant to justice to disregard it)”,
(b) by the insertion in subsection (2), after “and continues to desert the maintenance debtor”, of the following:
“unless, having regard to all the circumstances (including the conduct of the other spouse), the Court is of opinion that it would be repugnant to justice to do so.”,
(c) by the deletion of subsection (4), and
(d) by the deletion of or adultery by” in subsection (5) and the substitution of “by, or conduct of,”.
Discharge of orders under Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act, 1976.
39.—Where, after the making of an order under section 5, 6 or 7 of the Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act, 1976, application is made for a judicial separation between the parties to the proceedings in which that order was made, the court in which the application, or any application made under Part II of this Act, is pending may, if it thinks fit, direct that the order made shall cease to have effect on such date as may be specified in the direction.
Reports on children in guardianship cases.
40.—Section 11 of the Guardianship of Infants Act, 1964, is hereby amended by the addition of the following subsections:
“(5) The court may, of its own motion or on an application under this section, by an order under this section give such directions as it thinks proper to procure a report from such person as it may nominate on any question affecting the welfare of the infant.
(6) In deciding whether or not to request a report under subsection (5) of this section the court shall have regard to the wishes of the parties before the court where ascertainable but shall not be bound by the said wishes.
(7) A copy of any report prepared under subsection (5) shall be made available to the barrister or solicitor, if any, representing each party in the proceedings or, if any party is not so represented, to that party and may be received in evidence in the proceedings.
(8) Where any person prepares a report pursuant to a request under subsection (5) of this section, the fees and expenses of that person shall be paid by such party or parties to the proceedings as the court shall order.
(9) The court may, if it thinks fit, or either party to the proceedings may, call the person making the report as a witness.”.
Custody of dependent children.
41.—(1) Where the court grants a decree of judicial separation it may declare either spouse to be unfit to have custody of any dependent child of the family.
(2) Where a decree of judicial separation contains such a declaration, then, if the spouse to whom the declaration relates is a parent of any child of the family, that spouse shall not, on the death of the other spouse, be entitled as of right to the custody of that child.
(3) Section 18 (1) of the Guardianship of Infants Act, 1964, is hereby repealed except in relation to an action instituted before the commencement of this Act.
Amendment of section 120 (2) of Succession Act, 1965.
42.—(1) Section 120 (2) of the Succession Act, 1965 is hereby amended by the deletion of the words from “against whom the deceased obtained a decree of divorce a mensa et thoro,” to “and a spouse”.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall not have effect in relation to a decree of divorce a mensa et thoro granted in proceedings instituted before the commencement of this Act.
Divorce a mensa et thoro decrees and alimony orders.
43.—Any order made by either the Circuit Court or the High Court granting a decree of divorce a mensa et thoro in proceedings issued before the commencement of this Act shall not be affected by this Act save that any alimony order made subsequent to the granting of such decree shall be deemed for all purposes to be an order made under section 14 (1) (a) of this Act.
Collusion, condonation, recrimination, connivance.
44.—(1) Collusion between the spouses in connection with an application for a judicial separation or, subject to subsection (2) of this section, any conduct (including condonation or recrimination) on the part of the applicant shall not be a bar to the grant of a decree of judicial separation.
(2) Where an application for a decree of judicial separation is made on the ground of adultery and the respondent proves that the adultery was committed with the connivance of the applicant the court may refuse the application.
Conduct of District Court family proceedings.
45.—(1) Proceedings before the District Court under the Guardianship of Infants Act, 1964, the Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act, 1976, the Family Home Protection Act, 1976, section 9 of the Family Law Act, 1981, the Family Law (Protection of Spouses and Children) Act, 1981 and the Status of Children Act, 1987 shall be as informal as is practicable and consistent with the administration of justice.
(2) Neither district justices hearing and determining such proceedings as are referred to in subsection (1) of this section nor barristers nor solicitors appearing in such proceedings shall wear wigs or gowns.
Short title and commencement.
46.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Judicial Separation and Family Law Reform Act, 1989.
(2) This Act shall come into operation on the day that is 6 months after the date of the passing of this Act.