HM Procurator General: Registers of Divorce Cases

TS 29

1875-1977

Registers containing epitomes of matrimonial cases in which HM Procurator General has shown why a decree nisi should not be made absolute, or has intervened or assisted the Divorce Court as amicus curiae.

The numbers in the volumes indicate the related files.

The main series of divorce files are in J 77

Public Record(s)

English

17 volume(s)

Subject to closure for periods up to 75 years

In England and Wales suits for divorce and nullity are terminated in two stages: by a decree nisi which after an interval of six weeks may in general be made absolute. This interval, which is useful for a number of reasons, also enables the Queen's Proctor to make inquiries into such suits, if it is suspected that the decree nisi has been improperly obtained because, for example, material facts have not been brought to the notice of the court. Any person who has relevant information may supply this to the Queen's Proctor whose duty it is to enquire into the matter.

The Queen's Proctor may take steps to show cause why a decree nisi should not be made absolute, or he may at an earlier stage of the proceedings and with the leave of the court intervene in the suit.

The Divorce Court itself has power to refer cases to the Queen's Proctor for inquiry, and in suits where difficult points of law arise the court may ask for the assistance of the Queen's Proctor to present legal argument. This last procedure is most useful where a legal problem arises in an undefended suit and it may not be possible to obtain full legal argument in any other way.