Divorce in the U.K. Trivia Quiz

Answer: Restraint Order

A separation agreement is when the couple agree to live apart but cannot remarry.

The Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates Court Act 1978 allows a couple to apply for an order which recognises that they are living apart and also can deal with maintenance.

Judicial separation is when the two parties are still married but have separated.

Answer: 1 year

If you have been married for at least a year, you are able to apply for a divorce. It is thought that this time limit is imposed because if gives couples a chance to adapt to being married, rather than giving up when they have any difficulties.

Answer: breakdown

An irretrievable breakdown of a marriage, according to the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, is what must proven. Obviously, this means that there is no way that the couple will be able to re-establish a happy marriage.

Answer: The spouse had sexual intercourse, either voluntarily or involuntarily

In order for adultery to show the irretrievable breakdown of a marriage, the petitioner must show that the respondent (their spouse) had voluntary sexual intercourse with someone of the opposite sex and that they find it intolerable to live with that person for this reason. This is defined under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973.

Answer: Refusing to do the washing up

Unreasonable behaviour must be so bad that the petitioner can't be reasonably expected to live with the other person. This includes behaviour like violence, child abuse, drunkenness, obsessive jealousy, and refusing to speak to the other for prolonged periods of time.

Answer: 2 years

Desertion is when one of the parties has left against the wishes of the other. This can also include couples who live together but lead separate lives, for example, they sleep in different rooms, eat separately, and so on. The court will ignore periods of a maximum of 6 months when the couple did live together as long as the desertion has lasted for at least 2 years.

Answer: 2 years

According to the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, if a couple agree then they must have lived apart for two years in order for living apart to be an acceptable reason for divorce/ judicial separation. This follows the same rules as desertion in that a court will ignore periods of 6 months within these 2 years when the couple have lived together.

Answer: 5 years

If there has been a period of 5 years when both parties have lived apart, the respondent does not have to agree to the divorce as this amount of time is enough to prove that there has been an irretrievable breakdown. If they still opposed the divorce then they are not likely to succeed and will suffer financial losses, as well as other complications.

Answer: No

No, a decree nisi does not end a marriage but is what is applied for before a petitioner applies for a decree absolute. They will be able to apply for this 6 weeks after the decree nisi has been awarded.

Answer: decree absolute

A decree absolute is granted by the courts to declare that the marriage is no longer legally effective. It will be granted when the courts are satisfied that children younger than 16 are catered for. A petitioner can apply for this 6 weeks after a decree nisi has been granted.