Family Law (Divorce) Act 1996
Exercise of jurisdiction by court in relation to divorce.
39.—(1) The court may grant a decree of divorce if, but only if, one of the following requirements is satisfied—
(a) either of the spouses concerned was domiciled in the State on the date of the institution of the proceedings concerned,
(b) either of the spouses was ordinarily resident in the State throughout the period of one year ending on that date.
(2) Where proceedings are pending in a court in respect of an application for the grant of a decree of divorce or in respect of an appeal from the determination of such an application and the court has or had, by virtue of subsection (1), jurisdiction to determine the application, the court shall, notwithstanding section 31(4) of the Act of 1989 or section 39 of the Act of 1995, as the case may be, have jurisdiction to determine an application for the grant of a decree of judicial separation or a decree of nullity in respect of the marriage concerned.
(3) Where proceedings are pending in a court in respect of an application for the grant of a decree of nullity or in respect of an appeal from the determination of such an application and the court has or had, by virtue of section 39 of the Act of 1995, jurisdiction to determine the application, the court shall, notwithstanding subsection (1), have jurisdiction to determine an application for the grant of a decree of divorce in respect of the marriage concerned.
(4) Where proceedings are pending in a court in respect of an application for the grant of a decree of judicial separation or in respect of an appeal from the determination of such an application and the court has or had, by virtue of section 31 (4) of the Act of 1989, jurisdiction to determine the application, the court shall, notwithstanding subsection (1), have jurisdiction to determine an application for the grant of a decree of divorce in respect of the marriage concerned.
Annotations
Modifications (not altering text):
C4
Application of subs. (1) restricted (1.08.2022) by European Union (Decisions in Matrimonial Matters and in Matters of Parental Responsibility and International Child Abduction) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 400 of 2022), reg. 7(c), in effect as per reg. 1(2).
Non-applicability of certain statutory provisions.
7. The following provisions shall not have effect in relation to proceedings to which the Council Regulation (other than Article 6) applies:
...
(d) section 39 (1) of the Family Law (Divorce) Act 1996 (No. 33 of 1996).
C5
Application of subs. (1) restricted (1.03.2005) by European Communities (Judgments in Matrimonial Matters and Matters of Parental Responsibility) Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 112 of 2005), reg. 7(d), in effect as per reg. 1(2).
Non-applicability of certain statutory provisions.
7. The following provisions shall not have effect in relation to proceedings to which the Council Regulation (other than Article 7) applies:
...
(d) section 39(1) of the Family Law (Divorce) Act 1996.
Editorial Notes:
E24
E25
Previous affecting provision: application of subs. (1) restricted (23.10.2001) by European Communities (Judgments in Matrimonial Matters and Matters of Parental Responsibility) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 472 of 2001), reg. 3; revoked (1.03.2005) by European Communities (judgments in Matrimonial Matters and Matters of Parental Responsibility) Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 112 of 2005), reg. 11, in effect as per reg. 1(2).