The Family Department

Question 1

Abode

Answer 1

Place of residents

Question 2

Absolute

Answer 2

Final

Question 3

Adjourn

Answer 3

Postpone the hearing to a later date

Question 4

adjournment sine die

Answer 4

without day

Question 5

affidavit of means

Answer 5

Written statement declaring the financial situation of a party

Question 6

ancillary relief

Answer 6

An order for financial relief

Question 7

annuity

Answer 7

An annual payment of a sum of money

Question 8

annul

Answer 8

To make void or invalid

Question 9

answer

Answer 9

A response by the Respondent to the allegations

Question 10

Arrangements for children

Answer 10

A statement of arrangements for the children of the family which is filed at court

Question 11

behaviour

Answer 11

action or conduct by one of the parties that affects the other party

Question 12

bigamy

Answer 12

The act of being married to another person while still being married to the first person

Question 13

cohabitation

Answer 13

living together as man and wife without being married

Question 14

collusion

Answer 14

Secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy, especially with the intent of cheating others

Question 15

common law marriage

Answer 15

cohabitation

Question 16

condone

Answer 16

forgiveness

Question 17

co-respondent

Answer 17

A joint defendant with the respondent, especially a person who has alleged to have committed adultery

Question 18

decree

Answer 18

A law in relation to dissolution of marriage

Question 19

decree absolute

Answer 19

Final order dissolving marriage

Question 20

decree nisi

Answer 20

A conditional divorce decree, meaning the divorce will take place as long as the judge is satisfied nothing has changed within six weeks

Question 21

domicile

Answer 21

The country where a person has their permanent home

Question 22

illegitimate

Answer 22

Status of the child born outside of marriage

Question 23

In chambers

Answer 23

Proceedings in the offices of a Judge or District Judge which are closed to members of public (barristers office)

Question 24

injunction

Answer 24

A court order which restrains or compels someone to do a particular act

Question 25

irretrievable breakdown

Answer 25

The only ground for a breakdown of marriage

Question 26

judicial

Answer 26

The system of courts

Question 27

Judicial act

Answer 27

An act resulting from the exercise of judicial power

Question 28

Judicial seperation

Answer 28

Remedy based on a judicial decree under which, whilst the marriage is not dissolved, it becomes no longer necessary for the Petitioner to cohabit with the respondent

Question 29

jurisdiction

Answer 29

Power of court or judge to hear and decide on a case

Question 30

legitimate

Answer 30

Status of child born within marriage

Question 31

matrimonial application

Answer 31

Divorce petition

Question 32

Nisi

Answer 32

Not final yet

Question 33

open court

Answer 33

court to which the public has access

Question 34

pending suit

Answer 34

proceedings pending in court (waiting to be heard)

Question 35

petition

Answer 35

written application praying for relief or remedy from the court

Question 36

petitioner

Answer 36

person filling petition for divorce

Question 37

process server

Answer 37

A person who makes a living tracing people and serving papers on them in prison

Question 38

pronounced

Answer 38

declared

Question 39

public funding

Answer 39

legal aid

Question 40

reconcilliation

Answer 40

Act of harmonising differences and settling disputes

Question 41

Respondent

Answer 41

A person against whom a petition for divorce is presented