Hong Kong Ordinances

MARRIAGE REFORM ORDINANCE - SECT 22A

Validation of dissolution of certain Chinese marriages

PART VA

VALIDATION OF DISSOLUTION IN HONG KONG OF CERTAIN MARRIAGES CELEBRATED IN
CHINA

(1) This section applies to a marriage celebrated in China after 4 May 1931
but before 1 May 1950 under and in accordance with the law of China in force
when the marriage was celebrated.

(2) The purported dissolution in Hong Kong, at any time before 7 October 1971,
of a marriage to which this section applies by the mutual consent of the
parties to the marriage signified by the signature of each of the parties, in
the presence of 2 other persons who have also signed as attesting witnesses,
to an agreement or memorandum in writing which sets forth unequivocally the
final and complete dissolution of the marriage shall be valid for all purposes
and shall be deemed to have been so valid since the execution of the agreement
or memorandum, if at the date of the agreement or memorandum-

   (a)  both parties were domiciled in Hong Kong; or

   (b)  either of the parties had a substantial connection with Hong Kong.

(3) A child of both parties to a marriage to which this section applies shall,
whether born before or after the date of the agreement or memorandum referred
to in subsection (2), be deemed to have been born legitimate for all purposes.
(Added 70 of 1971 s.2)