The Act Matrimonial homes Section 7: Occupancy rights: proposed dealings with third parties
15.Section 7 of the Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) (Scotland) Act 1981 details the circumstances in which courts can dispense with the consent of the non-entitled spouse to the dealing of a matrimonial home. Paragraph (b) of section 7 of the Act amends the 1981 Act by further defining these circumstances making them subject to conditions, including: that negotiations on the sale of the home to a third party must not have begun, or at least the price not yet agreed; the agreed sale price is no less than that specified in the court order dispensing with consent; and that the contract for sale be concluded within a specified time period.
16.Section 7(c) of the Act provides that if courts refuse an application to dispense with the consent of the non-entitled spouse, they may make an order requiring the non-entitled spouse who becomes the occupier of the matrimonial home to either make specified payment to the owner of the home or otherwise comply with specified conditions.