Legal Definitions - Court for Divorce and Matrimonial Causes

Definition: The Court for Divorce and Matrimonial Causes was a court that had the power to deal with family issues such as divorce and legitimacy. It was established in 1857 and replaced the jurisdiction of the ecclesiastical courts. The court was made up of the Lord Chancellor, the Chief Justices of the Queen's Bench and Common Pleas, the Chief Baron of Exchequer, the senior puisne judges of the last three courts, and the Judge Ordinary. The Judge Ordinary usually heard the cases. However, the Judicature Act of 1873 abolished the Court and transferred its jurisdiction to the Probate Divorce and Admiralty Division (now Family Division) of the High Court of Justice.

Example: A couple who wants to get a divorce can go to the Court for Divorce and Matrimonial Causes to get a legal separation. The court can also decide on issues such as child custody and property division.

Explanation: The example illustrates how the Court for Divorce and Matrimonial Causes had the power to deal with family issues such as divorce and child custody. Couples who wanted to get a legal separation could go to this court to get a divorce. The court could also decide on issues such as property division, which is important in a divorce case.