Title, Commencement and Extent MCA 1973 s. 55
MCA 1973 s. 55 names the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, allows the Lord Chancellor to set its start date, and excludes Scotland and Northern Ireland.
This Act may be cited as the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973. This Act shall come into force on such day as the Lord Chancellor may appoint by order made by statutory instrument. Subject to the provisions of paragraphs 3(2) ... of Schedule 2 below, this Act does not extend to Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Text in force at .
Source: legislation.gov.uk — The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk), reproduced under licence Open Government Licence v3.0.
What it actually says
This provision sets out the formal name of the legislation as the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973. It specifies that the statute comes into operation on a date designated by the Lord Chancellor through an official executive order known as a statutory instrument.
It also establishes the geographical jurisdiction of the Act. Subject to minor transitional exceptions in Schedule 2, the legislation applies exclusively to England and Wales, explicitly excluding Scotland and Northern Ireland from its legal reach.
When it applies
- A London court determining whether a divorce application falls within the territorial scope of the Act.
- A judge verifying the correct legal title of the statute in official court orders.
- A legal practitioner confirming whether the commencement mechanism required an order by statutory instrument.
What this section does not say
- Deciding substantive divorce applications or financial relief orders, which are governed by earlier sections of the Act.
- Determining divorce proceedings or spousal rights governed by Scots law in Scottish courts.
- Regulating matrimonial cases originating in Northern Ireland under Northern Irish statutory authority.
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This page reproduces the text of MCA 1973 s. 55 in force at the date shown and explains it in general terms. It is not legal advice and takes no account of the circumstances of your case, which can change the answer completely. For a live dispute, for limitation periods, and before taking any step in court, consult a qualified lawyer in England and Wales.