The Magistrates' Courts (Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2005
These Rules make amendments to two sets of rules, which apply in proceedings in magistrates' courts, in consequence of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33). The Civil Partnership Act 2004 introduces a statutory civil registration procedure to allow same-sex couples to make a formal, legal commitment to each other by entering into a civil partnership. The Rules amend the Magistrates' Courts (Domestic Proceedings) Rules (Northern Ireland) 1996 to prescribe the procedures for proceedings under Schedule 16 to the 2004 Act. They also make minor consequential amendments to forms prescribed in the Magistrates' Courts (Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995) Rules (Northern Ireland) 1996.