Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

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Key definition

Decree absolute definition

What does Decree absolute mean? In practice, a decree absolute is the court’s final divorce order that ends a marriage and enables each party to remarry. It is the document evidencing the dissolution for use with registrars, pension schemes, probate and conveyancers. In England and Wales, the historic term decree absolute (used in the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 and Family Procedure Rules) was replaced on 6 April 2022 by “final order” under the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020; earlier cases and many practitioners still use the old terminology. In Northern Ireland, decree absolute remains the statutory term under the Matrimonial Causes (Northern Ireland) Order...

Decree absolute in nullity proceedings (pre-DDSA 2020): timing, applications and procedure (England and Wales)

Published by a LexisNexis Family expert

Practice notes

Proceedings issued prior to 6 April 2022

The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (DDSA 2020) took effect on 6 April 2022. While it did not change the substantive law on nullity proceedings, it prompted consequential procedural updates under the amended Family Procedure Rules 2010 (FPR 2010), SI 2010/2955, affecting applications for nullity and nullity of marriage orders lodged on or after 6 April 2022. The revisions focus mainly on terminology, refreshed forms, and amended provisions on service. In essence, they principally concern shifts in terminology, updated forms, and revised service provisions. For guidance on the procedure in cases issued on or after 6 April 2022, see the following Practice Notes:

Commencing and filing nullity proceedings (post-DDSA 2020)
Standard cases—nullity proceedings (post-DDSA 2020)
Disputed nullity proceedings (post-DDSA 2020)
Service of applications for matrimonial and Civil partnership orders within the jurisdiction in proceedings issued on or after 6 April 2022 (post-DDSA 2020)

Applications issued by the court on or before 5 April 2022 continue in accordance with the pre‑DDSA 2020 procedure, and such applications have not been impacted by the consequential changes to procedure. This document addresses the position for proceedings begun before 6 April 2022...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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