### Matrimonial Causes Rules 《婚姻訴訟規則》

16A. Supplemental joint application and amendment of joint application
(1) A joint application which is a supplemental joint application may be filed only with leave of the registrar. 
(2) A joint application may be amended only with leave of the registrar. 
(3) Subject to paragraph (4), an application for leave under this rule shall be made jointly by both of the applicants by lodging the supplemental joint application in the registry or, where appropriate, by so lodging a copy of the joint application showing the proposed amendments. 
(4) The registrar may, if he thinks fit, require an application under this rule to be supported by an affidavit. 
(5) Where an amendment is authorized under this rule, when made the applicants shall jointly lodge in the registry a copy of the joint application as so amended. 
(6) Where a supplemental or amended joint application is lodged under this rule, the applicants shall also jointly lodge in the registry a copy of the relevant order made under this rule.
(7) Rule 11(2) shall apply to a supplemental or amended joint application as it applies to the relevant original joint application. 
(L.N. 172 of 1996)

17. Filing and service of a supplemental or amended petition
(1) The petitioner shall file the supplemental or amended petition together with a copy of the order (if any) made under rule 16 and unless otherwise directed, serve a sealed copy thereof on every respondent and other party to the proceedings named in the original petition or in the supplemental or amended petition. (L.N. 172 of 1996) 
(2) Unless otherwise directed, rules 12(7) and 14 shall apply in relation to service on a person required to be served under paragraph (1) as they apply in relation to service on a person required to be served with an original petition. (E.R. 4 of 2019)
(L.N. 78 of 1986)

### Matrimonial Causes Rules 《婚姻訴訟規則》

18. Filing of answer to petition
(1) Subject to paragraph (2) and to rules 15A, 20 and 49, a respondent or other party to the proceedings who— (L.N. 172 of 1996) 
(a) wishes to defend the petition or to dispute any of the facts alleged in it; 
(b) being the respondent spouse, wishes to make in the proceedings any charge against the petitioner in respect of which the respondent spouse prays for relief; or 
(c) being the respondent to a petition to which section 15B(1) of the Ordinance applies, wishes to oppose the grant of a decree nisi on the ground mentioned in that subsection, 
shall, within 21 days after the expiration of the time limited for giving notice of intention to defend, file an answer to the petition. (L.N. 135 of 1972) 
(2) An answer may be filed at any time before directions have been given for the trial of the cause, notwithstanding that the time for filing the answer has expired or that the person filing the answer has not given notice of intention to defend.  (L.N. 135 of 1972)
(3) Any reference in these rules to a person who has given notice of intention to defend shall be construed as including a reference to a person who has filed an answer without giving notice of intention to defend. 
(4) Where in a cause in which relief is sought under section 20(2)(b) of the Ordinance the respondent files an answer containing no more than a simple denial of the facts stated in the petition, he shall, if he intends to rebut the charges in the petition, give the registrar notice to that effect when filing his answer. (L.N. 135 of 1972) 
(5) (Repealed L.N. 325 of 1982)

19. Filing of reply and subsequent pleadings
(1) Where an answer contains counter-charges and a prayer for relief the petitioner if he wishes to contest those charges or any relief claimed in the prayer shall file a reply within 14 days after he has received a copy of an answer pursuant to rule 23. 
(2) In all other cases the petitioner may file a reply within 14 days after he has received a copy of the answer pursuant to rule 23 but if he does not he shall be deemed on making a request for directions for trial to have denied every material allegation of fact made in the answer. 
(3) No pleading subsequent to a reply shall be filed without leave.

20. Filing of pleading after directions for trial
No pleading shall be filed without leave after directions for trial have been given.

### Matrimonial Causes Rules 《婚姻訴訟規則》

21. Contents of answer and subsequent pleadings
(1) Where an answer, reply or subsequent pleading contains more than a simple denial of the facts stated in the petition, answer or reply, as the case may be, the pleading shall set out with sufficient particularity the facts relied on but not the evidence by which they are to be proved and, if the pleading is filed by the husband or wife, it shall, in relation to those facts, contain the information required in the case of a petition by paragraphs (10), (11) and (14) of Form 2. 
(2) Unless otherwise directed, an answer by a husband or wife who disputes any statement required by paragraphs (4), (5) and (6) of Form 2 to be included in the petition shall contain full particulars of the facts relied on. 
(3) Paragraph (8) of Form 2 and so much of that form as requires the petition to conclude with a prayer giving details of the relief claimed shall, where appropriate, apply with the necessary modifications to a respondent spouse’s answer as they apply to a petition: 
Provided that it shall not be necessary to include in the answer claim for costs against the petitioner. 
(4) Rule 9(11) shall apply with the necessary modifications to pleading other than a petition as it applies to a petition. 
(5) Where a party’s pleading includes such a statement as is mentioned in rule 9(11), then if the opposite party—
(a) denies the conviction, finding or adjudication to which the statement relates, or 
(b) alleges that the conviction, finding or adjudication was erroneous, or 
(c) denies that the conviction, finding or adjudication is relevant to any issue in the proceedings, 
he must make the denial or allegation in his pleading. 
(6) Rule 11 shall apply with the necessary modifications to a pleading other than a petition as it applies to a petition. 
(7) An answer by a husband shall contain the information required in the case of a petition by paragraph (10) of Form 2. 
(L.N. 135 of 1972)

22. Allegation against third person in pleading
(1) Rules 13 and 14 shall apply with the necessary modifications to a husband’s or wife’s pleading other than a petition as they apply to a petition, so however that for the references in those rules to a respondent or other party to the proceedings there shall be substituted references to a party cited. 
(2) Rule 18 shall apply with the necessary modifications to a party referred to in paragraph (1) as it applies to a party to whom that rule applies. 
(L.N. 172 of 1996)