Court for Divorce and Matrimonial Causes

The Court for Divorce and Matrimonial Causes was established in England in the 19th century. Its purpose was to handle divorce and related matters, taking this jurisdiction away from the church courts. In 1857, this court became a secular court. By 1875, it was merged into the High Court of Justice as part of broader reforms to the civil court system known as the Judicature Acts. These reforms aimed to unify law and equity, allowing for both legal and equitable remedies to be sought in all divisions of the High Court. The Family Division of the High Court, which now handles matrimonial cases, was created later in 1971.12