CHAPTER I. Cases to Declare the Nullity of Marriage

Art. 1. The Competent Forum

Can. 1671 Marriage cases of the baptized belong to the ecclesiastical judge by proper right.

Can. 1672 Cases concerning the merely civil effects of marriage belong to the civil magistrate unless particular law

establishes that an ecclesiastical judge can investigate and decide these cases if they are done in an incidental or

accessory manner.

Can. 1673 In cases concerning the nullity of marriage which are not reserved to the Apostolic See, the following

are competent:

1/ the tribunal of the place in which the marriage was celebrated;

2/ the tribunal of the place in which the respondent has a domicile or quasi-domicile;

3/ the tribunal of the place in which the petitioner has a domicile, provided that both parties live in the

territory of the same conference of bishops and the judicial vicar of the domicile of the respondent gives consent

after he has heard the respondent;

4/ the tribunal of the place in which in fact most of the proofs must be collected, provided that consent is given

by the judicial vicar of the domicile of the respondent, who is first to ask if the respondent has any exception to

make.