Commentary on Sections Part 4 – Civil Partnership: Northern Ireland.Introduction Chapter 2 – Dissolution, Nullity and Other Proceedings Section 182: General provisions as to making and effect of declarations
346.This section provides that where an application is made under section 181 and the proposition put forward is proved to the satisfaction of the court, the court must make the order requested unless it would be manifestly contrary to public policy for it to do so. If the court dismisses the application, it must not make any other declaration which has not been applied for. The court cannot make a declaration that a civil partnership was void at its inception. Nothing in this section will prevent the court from being able to make a nullity order in respect of the civil partnership.