Citation and commencement

1.  These Rules may be cited as the Family Proceedings (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2007 and shall come into operation on 5th September 2007.

Amendment to the Family Proceedings Rules (Northern Ireland) 1996(2)

2.  After rule 7.8 insert—

“Evidence

7.8A.  The court may allow a witness to give evidence through a video link or by any other method of direct communication.”

3.  In rule 8.44 (Service of a certificate under Article 41 of the Council Regulation)—

(a) in the heading, after “Article 41” insert “or Article 42”; and

(b) in paragraph 1, after “Article 41” insert “or Article 42”.

4.  In rule 8.45 (Registration of a certificate issued under Article 41 of the Council Regulation)—

(a) in the heading, after “Article 41” insert “or Article 42”; and

(b) after “Article 41” insert “or Article 42”.

5.  In rule 8.48 (Rectification of a certificate issued under Article 41 of the Council Regulation)—

(a) in the heading, after “Article 41” insert “or Article 42”; and

(b) in paragraph 1, after “Article 41” insert “or Article 42”.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Rules)

These Rules amend the Family Proceedings Rules (Northern Ireland) 1996 (S.R. 1996 No. 322) which apply to proceedings in the High Court and county courts to:

• enable the court to allow a witness to give evidence by video link or any other means of direct communication; and

• make provision in relation to the service, registration and rectification of a certificate of a judgment issued pursuant to Article 42 of Council Regulation (EC) 2201/2003 of 27th November 2003.