The Divorce Act Changes Explained

Proceedings Between a Province and a Designated Jurisdiction

Return of application to responsible authority
(Section 19(8), Divorce Act)

New section

Return of application to responsible authority

(8) The designated authority shall return the application to the responsible authority in the designated jurisdiction.
Old section

None.

What is the change

The designated authority must return the application to the responsible authority in the designated jurisdiction.

Reason for the change

The amendment clarifies procedures. The procedure is similar to the one followed under the uniform provincial Inter-jurisdictional Support Orders Act. The amendment improves efficiency and avoids unnecessary delays. When the designated authority is unable to serve the respondent and does not know where the respondent resides, the application must be returned to the responsible authority in the designated jurisdiction.

When

March 1, 2021.