8C. For the purposes of section 46A(1) of the Act —
(a)
a prescribed party who wishes to make an application for a divorce in accordance with the Muslim law must attend the applicable prescribed activity before filing that application, but not earlier than 6 months before the date on which that application is filed; and
(b)
a prescribed party who is a defendant in proceedings for a divorce in accordance with the Muslim law must attend the prescribed activity —
(i)
if the prescribed party wishes to make a cross-application in those proceedings — before filing the cross-application; and
(ii)
in any event —
(A)
not earlier than 6 months before the date on which the originating summons in those proceedings is filed; and
(B)
not later than 21 days after the date on which the originating summons in those proceedings is served on the prescribed party.