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Safeguards to ensure respondent's awareness of alternatives to separation proceedings and to assist attempts at reconciliation.
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6.—(1) A solicitor, if any, acting for a respondent in an application for a decree of judicial separation shall, as soon as possible after receiving instructions from the respondent—
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(a) discuss with the respondent the possibility of reconciliation and give to him the names and addresses of persons qualified to help effect a reconciliation between parties to a marriage who have become estranged, and
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(b) discuss with the respondent the possibility of engaging in mediation to help effect a separation on an agreed basis with an estranged spouse and give to him the names and addresses of persons and organisations qualified to provide a mediation service, and
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(c) discuss with the respondent the possibility of effecting a separation by the negotiation and conclusion of a separation deed or written separation agreement.
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(2) An Entry of Appearance or a Notice of Intention to Defend an application for judicial separation shall be accompanied by a certificate by the solicitor, if any, acting on behalf of the respondent, that he has complied with the provisions of subsection (1) of this section and where a solicitor does not so certify, the court may adjourn the proceedings for such period as it deems reasonable for the respondent's solicitor to discuss with the respondent the matters referred to in that subsection.
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(3) Provision shall be made by rules of court for the certification required for the purposes of this section.
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