Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

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Client definition

What does Client mean? In legal practice, a client is the person or organisation for whom a lawyer or law firm acts and to whom professional duties are owed. This includes individuals, companies, partnerships and public bodies, whether instructing directly or through an agent. The term is a general professional expression rather than a statutory definition; its scope is shaped by engagement terms (the retainer) and by professional conduct rules and case law on duties of care, conflicts of interest, confidentiality and legal professional privilege. Key features include: identifying the correct client at the outset (especially for corporate clients, where the client is the entity,...

Nullity of Marriage in England and Wales: Void, Voidable and Non‑qualifying Ceremonies; Grounds, Procedure (DDSA 2020/FPR 2010) and Consequences for Financial Provision, Children and Wills

Published by a LexisNexis Family expert

Practice notes

The Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (MCA 1973)

The MCA 1973 defines the circumstances in which a marriage is void or voidable, together with the obstacles to granting a decree of nullity. Although nullity petitions are uncommon, they can still be the right route in particular cases. On 6 April 2022 the divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (DDSA 2020) came into force. While DDSA 2020 reformed the framework for divorce, dissolution and judicial separation, it made no substantive alterations to the law on nullity. Accordingly, the bases on which a marriage or civil partnership can be declared void or voidable remain the same.

There are, however, knock-on procedural amendments in the updated Family Procedure Rules 2010 (FPR 2010), SI 2010/2955. These changes are procedural in nature and do not alter the legal grounds at all. These affect applications for nullity and nullity of marriage orders issued on or after 6 April 2022. By contrast, proceedings issued by the court on or before 5 April 2022 will continue under the pre‑DDSA 2020 regime, and those applications are not caught by the consequential procedural revisions. In matters relying on non-consummation owing to incapacity or wilful refusal, clients should also be advised that...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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