Decree Nisi - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition decree-nisi

Definition :

Decree nisi. By the (English) Judicature Act,1925, s. 183(1) every decree for a divorce or for nullity of marriage shall, in the first instance, be a decree nisi not to be made absolute until after the expiration of six months from the pronouncing thereof, unless the Court by general or special order from time to time fixes a shorter time.

(2) After the pronouncing of the decree nisi and before the decree is made absolute, any person may, in the prescribed manner, show cause why the decree should not be made absolute by reason of the decree having been obtained by collusion or by reason of material not having been brought before the Court, and in any such case the Court may make the decree absolute, reverse the decree nisi, require further inquiry or otherwise deal with the case as the Court thinks fit. Only in special circumstances will the period be shortened. See Osburne v. Osburne, (1926) 70 Sol Jo 388. See Browne on Divorce; Chitty's Statutes, tit. 'Matrimonial Causes.'