Court simplified divorce forms change from 1 March

New forms for simplified divorce and dissolution of civil partnership applications in the Scottish courts come into force on 1 March 2021.

The amendments are in consequence of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union, the effect of which is to restore the jurisdiction of the Court of Session and sheriff courts in these actions to the position before there was EU provision in this area.

Further minor amendments, unconnected to EU withdrawal, provide that references to “General Register Office” and “General Register Office (Scotland)” are substituted with “National Records of Scotland”.

The Act of Sederunt introducing the changes also makes minor amendments to rule 49.91 of the Rules of the Court of Session 1994 and rule 33.96 of the Ordinary Cause Rules 1993, in relation to actions for declarator of recognition, or non-recognition, of certain foreign decrees in consequence of EU withdrawal.