Relationships Act 2003

If partners have ceased to be in a personal relationship, an application to a court for an order under section 36(1) is to be made before the expiration of the period of 2 years after the day on which they ceased or last ceased to be in the relationship.

A court, at any time before or after the expiration of the period referred to in subsection (1), may grant leave to a partner to apply to the court for an order if greater hardship would be caused to the applicant if that leave were not granted than would be caused to the respondent if that leave were granted.