| Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, Section 1 |
| 1 |
...a petition for divorce may be presented to the Court by either party to a marriage on the ground that the marriage has broken down irretrievably.
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| 2. |
The Court hearing a petition for divorce shall not hold the marriage to have broken down irretrievably unless the petitioner satisfies the Court of one or more of the following facts, that is to say-
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| (a) |
That the respondent has committed adultery and the petitioner finds it intolerable to live with the respondent; |
| (b) |
That the respondent has behaved in such a way that the petitioner cannot reasonably be expected to live with the respondent;
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| (c) |
That the respondent has deserted the petitioner for a continuous period of at least two years immediately preceding the presentation of the petition; |
| (d) |
That the parties to the marriage have lived apart for a continuous period of at least two years immediately preceding the presentation of the petition... and the respondent consents to a decree being granted;
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| (e) |
That the parties to the marriage have lived apart for a continuous period of at least five years immediately preceding the presentation of the petition... |
| 3 |
... |
| 4 |
If the Court is satisfied on the evidence of any such fact as is mentioned... above, then, unless it is satisfied on all the evidence that the marriage has not broken down irretrievably, it shall.... grant a decree of divorce. |
| The Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 is reproduced under the terms of Crown Copyright Policy Guidance issued by HMSO. |
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