THE FAMILY COURTS ACT, 1984

(No.66 of 1984)
[14th September, 1984]
An Act to provide for the estabishment of !ami" #o$rts %ith a vie% to promote conciiation in, and
sec$re speed" settement of, disp$tes reatin& to marria&e and fami" affairs and for matters
connected there%ith.
'e it enacted b" (ariament in the )hirt"*fifth +ear of the ,ep$bic of -ndia as foo%s.
CHAPTER I - PRELIMINARY

1. Short title, ete!t "!# $o%%e!$e%e!t. * 1) )his Act ma" be caed the !ami" #o$rts Act,
1984.
(/) -t e0tends to the %hoe of -ndia e0cept the State of 1amm$ and 2ashmir.
(3) -t sha come into force on s$ch date as the #entra 4overnment ma", b" notification in the
5fficia 4a6ette, appoint, and different dates ma" be appointed for different States.
&. 'e(i!itio!).* -n this Act, $ness the conte0t other%ise re7$ires,
a. 81$d&e8 means the 1$d&e or, as the case ma" be, the (rincipa 1$d&e, Additiona
(rincipa 1$d&e or other 1$d&e of a !ami" #o$rt9
b. 8notification8 means a notification p$bished in the 5fficia 4a6ette9
c. 8prescribed8 means prescribed b" r$es made $nder this Act9
d. 8!ami" #o$rt8 means a !ami" #o$rt estabished $nder Sec.39
e. a other %ords and e0pressions $sed b$t not defined in this Act and defined in the #ode
of #ivi (roced$re, 19:8(; of 19:8), sha have the meanin&s respective" assi&ned to
them in that #ode.

CHAPTER II - FAMILY COURTS
*+, E)t"-li)h%e!t o( F"%il. Co/rt).*(1) !or the p$rpose of e0ercisin& the <$risdiction and
po%ers conferred on a !ami" #o$rt b" this Act, the State 4overnment after cons$tation %ith the
=i&h #o$rt, and b" notification,*
a. sha, as soon as ma" be after the commencement of this Act, estabish for ever" area in
the State comprisin& a cit" or to%n %hose pop$ation e0ceeds one miion, a !ami"
#o$rt9
b. ma" estabish !ami" #o$rts for s$ch other areas in the State as it ma" deem necessar".
(/) )he State 4overnment sha, after cons$tation %ith the =i&h #o$rt specif", b" notification, the
oca imits of the area to %hich the <$risdiction of a !ami" #o$rt sha e0tend and ma", at an"
time, increase, red$ce or ater s$ch imits.
4. A00oi!t%e!t o( 1/#2e). (1) )he State 4overnment ma", %ith the conc$rrence of the =i&h
#o$rt appoint one or more persons to be the 1$d&e or 1$d&es, of a !ami" #o$rt.
(/) >hen a !ami" #o$rt consists of more than one 1$d&e*

a. each of the 1$d&es ma" e0ercise a or an" of the po%ers conferred on the #o$rt b" this
Act or an" other a% for the time bein& in force9
b. the State 4overnment ma", %ith the conc$rrence of the =i&h #o$rt, appoint an" of the
1$d&es to be the (rincipa 1$d&e and an" other 1$d&e to be the Additiona (rincipa
1$d&e9
c. the (rincipa 1$d&e ma", from time to time, ma?e s$ch arran&ements as he ma" deem fit
for the distrib$tion of the b$siness of the #o$rt amon& the vario$s 1$d&es thereof9
d. the Additiona (rincipa 1$d&e ma" e0ercise the po%ers of the (rincipa 1$d&e in the
event of an" vacanc" in the office of the (rincipa 1$d&e or %hen the (rincipa 1$d&e is
$nabe to dischar&e his f$nctions o%in& to absence, iness or an" other ca$se.
(3) A person sha not be 7$aified for appointment as a 1$d&e $ness he*

a. has for at east seven "ears hed a 1$dicia office in -ndia or the office of a member of a
trib$na or an" post $nder the @nion or a State re7$irin& specia ?no%ed&e of a%9 or
b. has for at east seven "ears been an advocate of a =i&h #o$rt or of t%o or more s$ch
#o$rts in s$ccession9 or
c. (ossesses s$ch other 7$aification as the #entra 4overnment ma". %ith the conc$rrence
of the #hief 1$stice of -ndia, prescribe.
(4) -n seectin& persons for appointment as 1$d&es*
a. ever" endeavo$r sha be made to ens$re that persons committed to the need to protect
and preserve that instit$tion of marria&e and to promote the %efare of chidren and
7$aified b" reason of their e0perience and e0pertise to promote the settement of
disp$tes b" conciiation and co$nsein& are seected9 and
b. preference sha be &iven to %omen.
(;) No person sha be appointed as or hod the office of, a 1$d&e of a !ami" #o$rt after he has
attained the a&e of si0t"*t%o "ears.
(6) No saar" or honorari$m and other ao%ances pa"abe to, and the other terms and conditions
of service of, a 1$d&e sha be s$ch as the State 4overnment ma", in cons$tation %ith the =i&h
#o$rt, prescribe.
3. A))o$i"tio! o( )o$i"l 4el("re "2e!$ie), et$.*)he State 4overnment ma", in cons$tation
%ith the =i&h #o$rt, provide. b" r$es, for the association, in s$ch manner and for s$ch p$rposes
and s$b<ect to s$ch conditions as ma" be specified in the r$es, %ith a !ami" #o$rt of*
a. instit$tions or or&anisations en&a&ed in socia %efare or the representatives thereof9
b. persons professiona" en&a&ed in promotin& the %efare of the fami"9
c. persons %or?in& in the fied of socia %efare9 and
d. an" other person %hose association %ith a !ami" #o$rt %o$d enabe it to e0ercise its
<$risdiction more effective" in accordance %ith the p$rposes of this Act.
5. Co/!)ellor), o((i$er) "!# other e%0lo.ee) o( F"%il. Co/rt). *(1) )he State 4overnment
sha, in cons$tation %ith the =i&h #o$rt, determine the n$mber and cate&ories of co$nseors,
officers and other empo"ees re7$ired to assist a !ami" #o$rt in the dischar&e of its f$nctions
and provide the !ami" #o$rt %ith s$ch co$nseors, officers and other empo"ees as it ma" thin?
fit.
(/) )he terms and conditions of association of the co$nseors and the terms and conditions of
service of the officers and other empo"ees. referred to in s$b*section (1), sha be s$ch as ma"
be specified b" r$es made b" the State 4overnment.

CHAPTER III - 1URIS'ICTION
6. 1/ri)#i$tio!. * (1) S$b<ect to the other provisions of this Act, a !ami" #o$rt sha*
a. have and e0ercise a the <$risdiction e0ercisabe b" an" district #o$rt or an" s$bordinate
#ivi #o$rt $nder an" a% for the time bein& in force in respect of s$its and proceedin&s of
the nat$re referred to in the A0panation9 and
b. be deemed, for the p$rposes of e0ercisin& s$ch <$risdiction $nder s$ch a%, to be a
district #o$rt or, as the case ma" be. s$ch s$bordinate #ivi #o$rt for the area to %hich
the <$risdiction of the !ami" #o$rt e0tends.
A0panation *)he s$its and proceedin&s referred to in this s$bsection are s$its and proceedin&s
of the foo%in& nat$re, name".
a. a s$it or proceedin& bet%een the parties to a marria&e for decree of a n$it" marria&e
(decarin& the marria&e to be n$ and void or, as the case ma" be, ann$in& the
marria&e) or restit$tion of con<$&a ri&hts or <$dicia separation or disso$tion of marria&e9
b. a s$it or proceedin& for a decaration as to the vaidit" of a marria&e or as to the
matrimonia stat$s of an" person9
c. a s$it or proceedin& bet%een the parties to a marria&e %ith respect to the propert" of the
parties or of either of them9
d. a s$it or proceedin& for an order or in<$nction in circ$mstances arisin& o$t of a marita
reationship9
e. a s$it or proceedin& for a decaration as to the e&itimac" of an" person9
f. a s$it or proceedin& for maintenance9
g. a s$it or proceedin& in reation to the &$ardianship of the person or the c$stod" of, or
access to, an" minor.
(/) S$b<ect to the other provisions of this Act a !ami" #o$rt sha aso have and e0ercise9
a. the <$risdiction e0ercisabe b" a Ba&istrate of the first cass $nder #hapter -C (reatin& to
order for maintenance of %ife, chidren and parents) of the #ode of #rimina (roced$re,
19D3 (/ of 19D4)9 and
b. s$ch other <$risdiction as ma" be conferred on it b" an" other enactment
8. E$l/)io! o( 7/ri)#i$tio! "!# 0e!#i!2 0ro$ee#i!2). *>here a !ami" #o$rt has been
estabished for an" area.
a. no district #o$rt or an" s$bordinate #ivi #o$rt referred to in s$b*section (1) of Sec. D
sha, in reation to s$ch area, have or e0ercise an" <$risdiction in respect of an" s$it or
proceedin& of the nat$re referred to in the A0panation to that s$b*section9
b. no Ba&istrate sha, in reation to s$ch area, have or e0ercise an" <$risdiction or po%ers
$nder #hapter -C of the #9de of #rimina (roced$re, 19D3 (/ of 19D4)9
c. ever" s$it or proceedin& of the nat$re referred to in the A0panation to s$b*section (1) of
Sec. D and ever" proceedin& $nder #hapter -C of the #ode of #rimina (roced$re,
19D3(/ of 19D4)*
( i ) %hich is pendin& immediate" before the estabishment or s$ch !ami" #o$rt before district
#o$rt or s$bordinate #o$rt referred to in that s$b*section or, as the case ma" be, before an"
Ba&istrate $nder the said #ode9 and
( ii ) %hich %o$d have been re7$ired to be instit$ted or ta?en before or b" s$ch !ami" #o$rt if,
before the date on %hich s$ch s$it or proceedin& %as instit$ted or ta?en, this Act has come into
force and s$ch !ami" #o$rt had been estabished,
sha stand transferred to s$ch !ami" #o$rt on the date on %hich it is estabished9
CHAPTER I8 - PROCE'URE
9. '/t. o( F"%il. Co/rt to %"9e e((ort) (or )ettle%e!t. *(1) -n ever" s$it or proceedin&,
endeavo$r sha be made b" !ami" #o$rt in the first instance, %here it is possibe to do so
consistent %ith the nat$re and circ$mstances of the case, to assist and pers$ade the parties in
arrivin& at a settement in respect of the s$b<ect*matter of the s$it or proceedin& and for this
p$rpose a !ami" #o$rt ma", s$b<ect to an" r$es made b" the =i&h #o$rt, foo% s$ch proced$re
as it ma" deem fit.
(/) -f, in an" s$it or proceedin&, at an" sta&e, it appears to the !ami" #o$rt that there is a
reasonabe possibiit" of a settement bet%een the parties. the !ami" #o$rt ma" ad<o$rn the
proceedin&s for s$ch period, as it thin?s fit to enabe attempts to be made to effect s$ch a
settement.
(3) )he po%er conferred b" s$b*section (/) sha be in addition to, and not in dero&ation of, an"
other po%er of the !ami" #o$rt. to ad<o$rn the proceedin&s.
1:. Pro$e#/re 2e!er"ll..*(1) S$b<ect to the other provisions of this Act and r$es, the provisions
of the #ode of #ivi (roced$re, 19:8(; of 19:8), and of an" other a% for the time bein& in force
sha app" to the s$its and proceedin&s other than the proceedin&s $nder #hapter -C of the #ode
of #rimina (roced$re, 19D3(/ of 19D4), before a !ami" #o$rt and for the p$rpose of the said
provisions of the #ode, a !ami" #o$rt sha be deemed to be a #ivi #o$rt and sha have a the
po%ers of s$ch #o$rt.
(/) S$b<ect to the other provisions of this Act and the r$es, the provisions of the #ode of #rimina
(roced$re, 19D3 (/ of 19D4), or the r$es made there$nder, sha app" to the proceedin&s $nder
#hapter -C of the #ode before a !ami" #o$rt.
(3) Nothin& in s$b*section (1) or s$b*section (/) sha prevent a !ami" #o$rt from a"in& do%n its
o%n proced$re %ith a vie% to arrive at a settement in respect of the s$b<ect*matter of the s$it or
proceedin&s or at the tr$th of the facts ae&ed b" the one part" and denied b" the other.
11. Pro$ee#i!2) to -e hel# i! $"%er".*-n ever" s$it or proceedin&s to %hich the Act appies, the
proceedin&s ma" be hed in camera if the !ami" #o$rt so desires and sha be so hed if either
part" so desires.
1&. A))i)t"!$e o( %e#i$"l "!# 4el("re e0ert).*-n ever" s$it or proceedin&s, it sha be open to
a !ami" #o$rt to sec$re the services of a medica e0pert or s$ch person (preferab" a %oman
%here avaiabe), %hether reated to the parties or not, inc$din& a person professiona" en&a&ed
in promotin& the %efare of the fami" as the #o$rt ma" thin? fit, for the p$rposes of assistin& the
!ami" #o$rt in dischar&in& the f$nctions imposed b" this Act.
1+. Ri2ht to le2"l re0re)e!t"tio!.*Not%ithstandin& an"thin& contained in an" a%, no part" to a
s$it or proceedin& before a !ami" #o$rt sha be entited, as of ri&ht to be represented b" a e&a
practitioner.
(rovided that if the !ami" #o$rt considers it necessar" in the interest of <$stice, it ma" see? the
assistance of a e&a e0pert as amicus curiae.
14. A00li$"tio! o( I!#i"! E;i#e!$e A$t, 186&.*A !ami" #o$rt ma" receive as evidence an"
report, statement, doc$ments, information or matter that ma", in its opinion. assist it to dea
effect$a" %ith a disp$te, %hether or not the same %o$d be other%ise reevant or admissibe
$nder the -ndian Avidence Act, 18D/ (1 of 18D/).
13. Re$or# o( or"l e;i#e!$e.*-n s$it or proceedin&s, before a !ami" #o$rt, it sha not be
necessar" to record the evidence of %itnesses at en&th, b$t the 1$d&es as the e0amination of
each %itness proceeds, sha, record or ca$se to be recorded, a memorand$m of the s$bstance
of %hat the %itness deposes, and s$ch memorand$m sha be si&ned b" the %itness and the
1$d&e and sha form part of the record.
15. E;i#e!$e o( (or%"l $h"r"$ter o! "((i#";it.*(1) )he evidence of an" person %here s$ch
evidence is of a forma character, ma" be &iven b" affidavit and ma" s$b<ect to a <$st e0ceptions,
be read in evidence in an" s$it or proceedin& before a !ami" #o$rt.
(/) )he !ami" #o$rt ma", if it thin?s fit, and sha, on the appication of an" of the parties to the
s$it or proceedin& s$mmon and e0amine an" s$ch person as to the facts contained in his
affidavit.
16. 1/#2%e!t. -1$d&ment of a !ami" #o$rt sha contain a concise statement of the case, the
point for determination, the decision thereon and the reasons for s$ch decision.
18. Ee$/tio! o( #e$ree) "!# or#er). *(1) A decree or an order (other than an order $nder
#hapter -0 of the #ode of #rimina (roced$re, 19D3, (/ of 19D4), passed b" a !ami" #o$rt sha
have the same force and effect as a decree or order of a #ivi #o$rt and sha be e0ec$ted in the
same manner as is prescribed b" the #ode of #ivi (roced$re, 19:8 (; of 19:8), for the e0ec$tion
of decrees and orders.
(/) An order passed b" a !ami" #o$rt $nder #hapter -C of the #ode of #rimina (roced$re 19D3,
(/ of 19D4), sha be e0ec$ted in the manner prescribed for the e0ec$tion of s$ch order b" that
#ode.
(3) A decree or order ma" be e0ec$ted either b" the !ami" #o$rt %hich passed it or b" the other
!ami" #o$rt or ordinar" #ivi #o$rt to %hich it is sent for e0ec$tion.

CHAPTER 8 - APPEALS AN' RE8ISIONS
19. A00e"l. *(1) Save as provided in s$b*section (/) and not%ithstandin& an"thin& contained in
the #ode of #ivi (roced$re, 19:8(; of 19:8), or in the #ode of #rimina (roced$re, 19D3 (/ of
19D4), or in an" other a%, an appea sha ie from ever" <$d&ment or order, not bein& an
interoc$tor" order of a !ami" #o$rt to the =i&h #o$rt both on facts and on a%.
(/) No appea sha ie from a decree or order passed b" the !ami" #o$rt %ith the consent of the
parties or from an order passed $nder #hapter -0 of the #ode of #rimina (roced$re, 19D3 (/ of
19D4).
(rovided that nothin& in this s$b*section sha app" to an" appea pendin& before a =i&h #o$rt or
an" order passed $nder #hapter -C of the #ode of #rimina (roced$re, 19D3 (/ of 19D4), before
the commencement of the !ami" #o$rts (Amendment) Act, 1991.
(3) Aver" appea $nder this section sha be preferred %ithin a period of thirt" da"s from the date
of the <$d&ment or order of a !ami" #o$rt.
(4) )he =i&h #o$rt ma", of its o%n motion or other%ise, ca for and e0amine the record of an"
proceedin& in %hich the !ami" #o$rt sit$ate %ithin its <$risdiction passed an order $nder #hapter
-C of the #ode of #rimina (roced$re, 19D3 (/ of 19D4) for the p$rpose of satisf"in& itsef as to
the correctness, e&ait" or propriet" of the order, not bein& an interoc$tor" order, and as to the
re&$arit" of s$ch proceedin&.
(;) A0cept as aforesaid, no appea or revision sha ie to an" #o$rt from an" <$d&ment, order or
decree of a !ami" #o$rt.
(6) An appea referred $nder s$b*section (1) sha be heard b" a 'ench consistin& of t%o or more
1$d&es.

CHAPTER 8I - MISCELLANEOUS
&:. A$t to h";e o;erri#i!2 e((e$t.*)he provisions of this Act sha] have effect not%ithstandin&
an"thin& inconsistent there%ith contained in an" other a% for the time bein& in force or in an"
instr$ment havin& effect b" virt$e of an" a% other than this Act.
&1. Po4er o( Hi2h Co/rt to %"9e r/le).*(1) )he =i&h #o$rt ma", b" notification in the 5fficia
4a6ette, ma?e s$ch r$es as it ma" deem necessar" for carr"in& o$t the p$rposes of this Act.
(/) -n partic$ar. and %itho$t pre<$dice to the &enerait" of the fore&oin& po%er, s$ch r$es ma"
provide for a or an" of the foo%in& matters name".
a. norma %or?in& ho$rs of !ami" #o$rts and hodin& of sittin&s of !ami" #o$rts on
hoida"s and o$tside norma %or?in& ho$rs9
b. hodin& of sittin&s of !ami" #o$rts at paces other than the ordinar" paces of sittin&.
c. efforts %hich ma" be made b", and the proced$re %hich ma" be foo%ed b", a !ami"
#o$rt for assistin& and pers$adin& parties to arrive at a settement.
&&. Po4er o( the Ce!tr"l <o;er!%e!t to %"9e r/le). *(1) )he #entra 4overnment ma", %ith
the conc$rrence of the #hief 1$stice of -ndia, b" notification, ma?e r$es prescribin& the other
7$aifications for appointment of a 1$d&e referred to in #.(c) of s$b*section (3) of Sec.4.
(/) Aver" r$e made $nder this Act b" the #entra 4overnment sha be aid, as. Soon as ma" be
after it is made. before each =o$se of (ariament, %hie it is in session, for a tota period of thirt"
da"s %hich ma" be comprised in one session or in t%o or more s$ccessive sessions and if,
before the e0pir" of the session immediate" foo%in& the session or the s$ccessive sessions
aforesaid, both =o$ses a&ree in ma?in& an" modification in the r$e or both =o$ses a&ree that
the r$e sho$d not be made, the r$e sha thereafter have effect on" in s$ch modified form or of
no effect, as the case ma" be9 so, ho%ever, that an" s$ch modification or ann$ment sha be
%itho$t pre<$dice to the vaidit" of an"thin& previo$s" done $nder that r$e.
&+. Po4er o( the St"te <o;er!%e!t to %"9e r/le). *(1) )he State 4overnment ma", after
cons$tation %ith the =i&h #o$rt, b" notification ma?e r$es for carr"in& o$t the p$rposes of this
Act.
(/) -n partic$ar and %itho$t pre<$dice to the &enerait" of the provisions of s$b*section (1), s$ch
r$es ma" provide for a or an" of the foo%in& matters, name".
a. the saar" or honorari$m and other ao%ances pa"abe to, and the terms and conditions
of 1$d&es $nder s$b*section (6) of Sec. 49
b. the terms and conditions of association of co$nseors and the terms and conditions of
service of the officers and other empo"ees referred to in Sec. 69
c. pa"ment of fees and e0penses (inc$din& travein& e0penses) of medica and other
e0perts and other persons referred to in Sec. 1/ o$t of the reven$es of the State
4overnment and the scaes of s$ch fees and e0penses9
d. pa"ment of fees and e0penses to e&a practitioners appointed $nder Sec. 13 as amicus
curiae o$t of the reven$es of the State 4overnment and the scaes of s$ch fees and
e0penses9
e. an" other matter %hich is, re7$ired to be, or ma" be, prescribed or provided for b" r$es.
(3) Aver" r$e made b" a State 4overnment $nder this Act sha be aid, as soon as ma" be after
it is made, before the State Ee&isat$re.