Matrimonial Causes Act

This Act relates to divorce, nullity of marriages, and child custody. According to Section 1, a petition for divorce will only be granted if the “marriage has broken down beyond reconciliation,” which includes adultery, unreasonable behavior, desertion, and unreconcilable differences. The petition may be filed by either party. Part 2 discusses other matrimonial issues, such as nullity of marriage, presumption of death, and neglect. Finally, Part 3 outlines the Court’s power to split property between the parties and decide child custody. To that end, the Court can issue restraining orders to prevent one party from leaving the jurisdiction or removing a child of the household from the jurisdiction.