The Family Courts Act, 1984 was enacted to provide for the establishment of Family Courts with a view to promote conciliation and secure speedy settlement of disputes relating to marriage and family affairs.
The salient features of the Family Courts Act, 1984 are as follows:
1. It provides for the establishment of Family Courts by the State Governments in consultation with the High Courts.
2. It makes it obligatory on the State Governments to set up a Family Court in every city or town with a population exceeding one million.
3. It enables the State Governments to set up Family Courts in other areas also, if they deem it necessary.
4. It exclusively provides within the jurisdiction of the Family Courts the matters relating to:
- matrimonial relief, including nullity of marriage, judicial separation divorce, restitution of conjugal rights, or declaration as to validity of marriage
- the property of the spouses or of either of them;
- declaration as to the legitimacy of any person;
- guardianship of a person or the custody of any minor; and
- maintenance of wife, children and parents.
5. It provides for only one right of appeal which shall lie to the High Court.
