Divorce & Family Law Glossary of Terms

A definition of terms commonly associated with divorce and family law in the UK.

Affidavit – a formal statement made under oath in court.

Ancillary Relief – financial orders that a court can make in addition to a petition for divorce.  Applying to England and Wales, ancillary relief is a financial claim brought by a spouse through the courts when petitioning for divorce.

CAFCASS – Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Services.  A meeting with a CAFCASS officer will be arranged if an application to the court is made for any order affecting a child, such as contact or residence.

Civil Partnership – the Civil Partnership Act 2004 means that same sex couples may now register their partnership and acquire rights and responsibilities similar to those of a married couple.

Clean Break – a one off order that outlines financial arrangements between a husband and wife.  There can be no subsequent claim for maintenance even if circumstances change.

Conciliation – a type of mediation that takes place in court and helps couples to sort out arrangements for their children.

Contact – the arrangement for a child or children to visit the parent who no longer lives with them after the divorce has taken place.  Contact can also refer to indirect contact such as phone calls and letters.

Cross-petition – a situation where the arguments put forward as grounds for divorce differ between the Petitioner and the Respondent.

Decree Absolute – Follows the decree nisi and is the final order issued by the court bringing a marriage to an end.

Decree Nisi – a provisional order issued by the court.  The decree nisi is the first stage of the divorce and shows that the court is satisfied that the grounds for the divorce have been established.

Disclosure – the process of providing to the court full financial details about a person’s income, assets and liabilities.

Injunction – a court requiring or preventing a person from taking an action.  Penalties are generally set in place for people not abiding by the order.

Joint Tenancy – a form of shared ownership of a home or other property.  When two or more people own a property as joint tenants and one owner dies the other owner automatically takes ownership of the deceased owners share.

Maintenance – the money one spouse pays to the other for ongoing financial support.

Mediation – a process in which an impartial third person assists those involved in a divorce to reach an amicable agreement.

Occupation Order – a court order confirming or denying an individual’s right to occupy a property.  The occupation order can exclude a spouse from a home or a certain part of it.

Pension Sharing – the division of a pension fund between two spouses.

Petition – a document outlining a request for a divorce.

Petitioner – a person who initiates divorce proceedings by filing a divorce petition at court.

Premarital Agreement – a formal written agreement entered into by a couple before marriage setting out how assets will be split in the event of divorce.  Also known as a prenuptial agreement.

Residence Order – a court order that states where and with whom a child will live after the divorce of their parents.

Separation Agreement – a written agreement set out by a couple recording the financial agreement that they have reached.  A separation agreement will normally be upheld by a court but it may be set aside if there has been a significant change in one party’s circumstances.

Statement of Arrangements for Children – sets out proposed arrangements for children after the divorce.  The form is sent to the court along with the divorce petition.

Without Prejudice – a way of preventing the court from knowing about any prior negotiations between a divorcing couple that did not result in an agreement.