IMPROVING SCOTTISH FAMILY LAW
A consultation by The Scottish Office Home Department: March 1999
		Publisher The Scottish Office

Contents

FOREWORD BY HENRY McLEISH MP, MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS

1. INTRODUCTION

2. DIVORCE LAW REFORM 2.1 The SLC Report on the Grounds of Divorce 2.2 SLC recommendations 2.3 Reforms in England & Wales 2.4 Options for reform 2.5 Procedures before divorce can be awarded 2.6 Summary of questions

3. FUNDING FAMILY MEDIATION AND SUPPORT

4. SLC REPORT ON FAMILY LAW 4.1 Introduction 4.2 The Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) (Scotland) Act 1981 4.3 Cohabitation 4.4 Marriage by cohabitation and repute 4.5 Judicial separation 4.6 Further proposals on marriage laws 4.7 Illegitimacy 4.8 Summary of questions

5. PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND RIGHTS: UNMARRIED FATHERS 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Historical background 5.3 Children (Scotland) Act 1995 5.4 Problems 5.5 Options for reform 5.6 Transitional arrangements 5.7 Protection for the vulnerable 5.8 Summary of questions

6. PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND RIGHTS: STEP-PARENTS 6.1 Acquisition of Parental Responsibilities and Rights by Step-Parents

7. PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND RIGHTS: VIOLENCE 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Potential problem relating to domestic violence 7.3 Options for reform 7.4 Summary of questions

8. MATRIMONIAL PROPERTY 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Increases in value of matrimonial property between the "relevant date" and the date of divorce 8.3 Increases in value of non-matrimonial property during the period of the marriage 8.4 Options for reform 8.5 Power of sheriff to order sheriff clerk to execute deeds relating to heritage 8.6 Summary of questions

9. SUMMARY OF QUESTIONS

ANNEX A SLC FAMILY LAW REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS(42-49)

ANNEX B STATISTICS ON BIRTHS AND DIVORCES

ANNEX C FUNDING OF FAMILY MEDIATION AND SUPPORT - SCOTTISH OFFICE CONTRIBUTIONS

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