The Family Law Act, which strengthens the financial and property rights of spouses and children in judicial separations, has come into force.
The Minister for Equality and Law Reform, Mr Taylor, announced that the 1995 legislation which also creates two new kinds of orders on pensions adjustment and financial compensation became operational yesterday.
The Act introduces financial and property reliefs which may be provided by the courts where a spouse had obtained a divorce or legal separation outside the State.
It also raises the minimum age of marriage from 16 to 18 years and introduces a three month notice period for couples intending to get married.