Page:Marriage Reform Ordinance 1970 (Cap. 178).pdf/3

Rh

HONG KONG

Rh An Ordinance to make provision with regard to customary marriages, concubinage, modern marriages and the dissolution of marriages, to repeal the Chinese Marriage Preservation Ordinance and for connected purposes. [10th July, 1970.] Enacted by the Governor of Hong Kong, with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council thereof. PART I.

1. This Ordinance may be cited as the Marriage Reform Ordinance 1970.

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 the 5th 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 two or more witnesses;