The Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1970 (c. 33) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that abolished actions for breach of promise of marriage and made provision with respect to the property of, and gifts between, persons who had been engaged to marry; abolished the right of a husband to claim damages for adultery; and abolished actions for the enticement or harbouring of a spouse or child, in England and Wales.
Provisions Sections 1 to 3 of the act concern the legal consequences of the termination of an engagement to marry in England and Wales. Section 1 provides that an agreement to marry shall not have effect as a contract giving rise to legal rights, and that no action shall lie for breach of such an agreement. Section 2 applies property rules (including those under section 17 of the Married Women's Property Act 1882 (45 & 46 Vict. c. 75)) to property in which either party to an engagement had a beneficial interest. Section 3 creates a rebuttable presumption that the gift of an engagement ring is an absolute gift. Section 5 abolishes liability in tort for inducing a spouse to leave or remain apart from the other spouse, and for the harbouring, enticement, or seduction of a spouse or child.
Repealed enactments Section 7(2) of the act repealed 6 enactments, listed in the schedule to the act. CitationShort titleExtent of repeal32 & 33 Vict. c. 68Evidence Further Amendment Act 1869Section 2.23 & 24 Geo. 5. c. 36Administration of Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1933In section 6(1)(b), the words "or breach of promise of marriage".24 & 25 Geo. 5. c. 41Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934In section 1(1), the words from "or for inducing" to the end; and section 1(2)(b).12, 13 & 14 Geo. 6. c. 51Legal Aid and Advice Act 1949In Part II of Schedule 1, paragraph 1(b) and (d).7 & 8 Eliz. 2. c. 22County Courts Act 1959In section 39(1)(c), and in section 94(3)(b), the words "or breach of promise of marriage".1965 c. 72Matrimonial Causes Act 1965Section 41.Section 46(2) so far as it applies for the interpretation of section 41(3) of that Act.
Subsequent developments Section 4 of the act, which abolished the right of a husband to claim damages for adultery with his wife, was repealed by section 54(1) of, and schedule 3 to, the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (1973 c. 18), which came into force on 1 January 1974.
Section 6 of the act, which made provision with respect to the maintenance of survivors of void marriages, was repealed by section 26(2) of, and the schedule to, the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 (1975 c. 63).
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