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The Divorce Act `1869

An Act to amend the law relating to Divorce and Matrimonial Causes. 
1869
List of Chapters & Sections

  1. I.--PRELIMINARY

  2. 1
     Short title
  3. 2
     Extent of Act
  4. 3
     Interpretation-clause

  • II.--JURISDICTION

  • 4
     Matrimonial jurisdiction of High Courts to be exercised subject to Act. Exception
  • 5
     Enforcement of decrees or orders made heretofore by Supreme or High Court
  • 6
     Pending suits
  • 7
     [Omitted.]
  • 8
     Extraordinary jurisdiction of High Court
  • 9
     Reference to High Court

  • III.--DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

  • 10
     Grounds for dissolution of marriage
  • 10A
     Dissolution of marriage by mutual consent
  • 11
     Adulterer to be co-respondent
  • 12
     Court to be satisfied of absence of collusion
  • 13
     Dismissal of petition
  • 14
     Power to Court to pronounce decree for dissolving marriage
  • 15
     Relief in case of opposition on certain grounds
  • 16
     Decrees for dissolution to be nisi
  • 17
     Power of High Court to remove certain suits
  • 17A
     [Omitted.]

  • IV.--NULLITY OF MARRIAGE

  • 18
     Petition for decree of nullity
  • 19
     Grounds of decree
  • 20
     [Omitted.]
  • 21
     Children of annulled marriage

  • V.--JUDICIAL SEPARATION

  • 22
     Bar to decree for divorce a mensa et toro; but judicial separation obtainable by husband or wif
  • 23
     Application for separation made by petition
  • 24
     Separated wife deemed spinster with respect to after-acquired property
  • 25
     Separated wife deemed spinster for purposes of contract and suing

  • Reversal of Decree of Separation

  • 26
     Decree of separation obtained during absence of husband or wife may be reversed

  • VI.--PROTECTION-ORDERS

  • 27
     Deserted wife may apply to court for protection
  • 28
     Court may grant protection-order
  • 29
     Discharge or variation of orders
  • 30
     Liability of husband seizing wife’s property after notice of order
  • 31
     Wife’s legal position during continuance of order

  • VII.--RESTITUTION OF CONJUGAL RIGHT

  • 32
     Petition for restitution of conjugal rights
  • 33
     Answer to petition

  • VIII.--DAMAGES AND COSTS

  • 34
     Omitted
  • 35
     [Omitted.]

  • IX.--ALIMONY

  • 36
     Alimony pendente lite
  • 37
     Power to order permanent alimony
  • 38
     Court may direct payment of alimony to wife or to her trustee

  • X.--SETTLEMENTS

  • 39
     Omitted
  • 40
     Inquiry into existence of ante-nuptial or post-nuptial settlements

  • XI.--CUSTODY OF CHILDREN

  • 41
     Power to make orders as to custody of children in suit for separation
  • 42
     Power to make such orders after decree
  • 43
     Power to make orders as to custody of children in suits for dissolution or nullity
  • 44
     Power to make such orders after decree or confirmation

  • XII.--PROCEDURE

  • 45
     Code of Civil Procedure to apply
  • 46
     Forms of petitions and statements
  • 47
     Petition to state absence of collusion
  • 48
     Suits on behalf of lunatics
  • 49
     Suits by minors
  • 50
     Service of petition
  • 51
     Mode of taking evidence
  • 52
     Competence of husband and wife to give evidence as to cruelty or desertion
  • 53
     Power to close doors
  • 54
     Power to adjourn
  • 55
     Enforcement of, and appeals from, orders and decrees
  • 56
     Appeal to the Supreme Court

  • XIII.--RE-MARRIAGE

  • 57
     Liberty to parties to marry again
  • 58
     English clergyman not compelled to solemnize marriages of persons divorced for adultery
  • 59
     English Minister refusing to perform ceremony to permit use of his Church

  • XIV.--MISCELLANEOUS

  • 60
     Decree for separation or protection-order valid as to persons dealing with wife before reversal
  • 61
     Bar of suit for criminal conversation
  • 62
     Power to make rules