Practice Direction No 1 OF 2011

IN THE HIGH COURT OF NORTHERN IRELAND

FAMILY DIVISION

Amendment to Matrimonial and Civil Partnership Petitions

1.         From 3 May 2011 all Petitions submitted to the Matrimonial Office must be accompanied by a completed signed checklist confirming that the Petition has been checked for compliance with the guidance notes.

2.         Petitions will be issued by the Office upon receipt of the Petition, accompanying documents and checklist.  The Petition will not be checked by the Office at this stage.

3.         The Office will check the Petition upon receipt of the certificate of readiness and should amendment of the Petition be required a Summons seeking leave to file an Amended Petition must be submitted pursuant to Rule 2.13(2) of the Family Proceedings Rules (Northern Ireland) 1996.

4.         Unless the Court otherwise orders, Legal Aid will not be granted in respect of such applications, nor will they qualify for party and party or own client taxation.

Dated this 27^th Day of January 2011

Mr Justice Weir

Senior Judge of the Family Division