1981 Ed.]
Marriage Reform
CAP. 178
3
CHAPTER 178
MARRIAGE REFORM
To make provision with regard to customary marriages, concubinage, modern marriages and the dissolution of marriages, and for connected purposes.
[10 July 1970.]
PART I
PRELIMINARY
Originally 68 of 1970.
L.N. 187/70. 62 of 1979
L.N. 67/85 L.N. 227/88
1. This Ordinance may be cited as the Marriage Reform Ordinance.
2. In this Ordinance, unless the context otherwise requires----
"appointed day" means the day appointed for the purpose of this Ordinance by the Governor under section 3;
"Chinese law and custom" means such of the laws and customs of China as would immediately prior to 5 April 1843 have been applicable to Chinese inhabitants of the Colony;
"customary marriage" means a marriage celebrated in Hong Kong in accordance with section 7;
"designated public officer" means a public officer designated for the purposes of Part V by the Governor under section 22;
"modern marriage" means a marriage celebrated in Hong Kong before the appointed day by open ceremony as a modern marriage and in the presence of 2 or more witnesses;
"parties to a customary marriage" means the husband and the principal wife (tsai) whether such wife is a kit fat or a tin fong wife; and, for the avoidance of doubt, "party to a customary marriage" does not include a concubine (tsip);
"Registrar" means the Registrar of Marriages, and any deputy registrar of marriages, appointed under section 3 of the Marriage Ordinance;
"validated marriage" means a modern marriage made valid by section 8.
3. The Governor may by notice in the Gazette appoint a day to be the appointed day for the purposes of this Ordinance.
* Note: The Governor has appointed 7 October 1971 to be the appointed day for the purposes of the Ordinance--L.N. 187/70.
Short title.
Interpretation.
(Cap. 181.)
Power to appoint day.