Page:Marriage Reform Ordinance 1970 (Cap. 178).pdf/8

A386

the presence of two 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.

15. (1) A customary marriage subsisting on the appointed day and registered in accordance with Part IV may where at least one party to the marriage has a substantial connexion with Hong Kong be dissolved on or after that day in accordance with this Part.

(2) A validated marriage subsisting on the appointed day and registered in accordance with Part IV may where at least one party to the marriage has a substantial connexion with Hong Kong be dissolved on or after that day—
 * (a) in accordance with the Matrimonial Causes Ordinance; or
 * (b) in accordance with this Part.

16. (1) The parties to a marriage, of a kind which may be dissolved under this Part, may give notice of their intention to dissolve the marriage in the prescribed form to a designated public officer, signed by both parties to the marriage and published or otherwise given in such manner as may be prescribed.

(2) A person who has given notice in accordance with subsection (1) may, by publication or otherwise as may be prescribed cancel such notice.

17. (1) Not less than one month after the giving of notice under subsection (1) of section 16, the parties to the marriage may, if neither of them has cancelled the notice under subsection (2) of section 16, appear personally before the designated public officer to whom notice was given for the purpose of satisfying him that each of them wishes voluntarily and freely to dissolve his of her marriage to the other.

(2) If a designated public officer is satisfied that the parties appearing before him—
 * (a) have given notice of intention to dissolve their marriage under subsection (1) of section 16 and notice of changed intention under subsection (2) of that section has not been given; and
 * (b) understand that the effect of dissolution is to put an end to the marriage so as to permit the parties to marry again should either of them so wish; and