GLOSSARY
UK Divorce Glossary
38+ Terms Explained | Search by Keyword | 2025 Guide
ChildrenFinancialFormsLegalMediationPensionsProcessProfessionalsProperty
Ancillary ReliefFinancial
Old term for financial remedy. Financial orders made alongside or after divorce.
ApplicantProcess
Person who applies for divorce (formerly called petitioner).
CETVPensions
Cash Equivalent Transfer Value. The amount you could transfer out of a pension scheme.
Child Arrangements OrderChildren
Court order setting out who a child lives with and spends time with.
Child Maintenance Service (CMS)Children
Government body that calculates and collects child maintenance payments.
Clean BreakFinancial
Order dismissing all future financial claims between spouses.
Conditional OrderProcess
First stage of divorce confirming grounds are met (formerly decree nisi).
Consent OrderFinancial
Court order making a financial agreement legally binding.
D81Forms
Statement of Information for a Judge - accompanies consent orders.
Decree AbsoluteProcess
Old term for final order. The order that legally ends a marriage.
Decree NisiProcess
Old term for conditional order. First stage confirming grounds for divorce.
Defined Benefit Pension (DB)Pensions
Pension providing guaranteed income based on salary and service (final salary/career average).
Defined Contribution Pension (DC)Pensions
Pension where contributions are invested in a pot. No guaranteed income.
FDRProcess
Financial Dispute Resolution. Settlement-focused court hearing.
FDAProcess
First Directions Appointment. Procedural hearing to give directions.
Final OrderProcess
Order that legally ends the marriage (formerly decree absolute).
Financial RemedyFinancial
Court process for dividing finances after divorce.
Form AForms
Application for financial remedy. Starts contested financial proceedings.
Form EForms
29-section financial disclosure form required in financial remedy.
Lump Sum OrderFinancial
Order for one-off payment from one spouse to another.
Matrimonial HomeProperty
The family home where the couple lived during marriage.
MIAMMediation
Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting. Required before court.
MOUMediation
Memorandum of Understanding. Summary of mediation agreements.
No-Fault DivorceProcess
Divorce without proving fault. Available since April 2022 in England & Wales.
PAOPensions
Pension Attachment Order. Directs pension income to ex-spouse.
Periodical PaymentsFinancial
Ongoing maintenance payments from one spouse to another.
Prohibited Steps OrderChildren
Order preventing a specific action regarding a child.
Property Adjustment OrderFinancial
Order transferring or selling property.
PSOPensions
Pension Sharing Order. Transfers percentage of pension to ex-spouse.
Reflection PeriodProcess
20-week mandatory waiting period after divorce application.
RespondentProcess
Other party in divorce (not the applicant).
Section 25 FactorsFinancial
Factors courts must consider when dividing finances (Matrimonial Causes Act 1973).
SolicitorProfessionals
UK lawyer who provides legal advice and prepares documents.
Special ProcedureProcess
Standard divorce procedure without court hearing.
Specific Issue OrderChildren
Order resolving a specific dispute about a child's upbringing.
Spousal MaintenanceFinancial
Ongoing financial support paid to ex-spouse.
Statement of TruthForms
Signed declaration that information in a document is true.
UndertakingLegal
Promise given to the court, enforceable as a court order.
Related Guides
Form E Guide
Financial disclosureConsent Orders
Binding agreementsPension Sharing
CETV explainedUnderstand Your Divorce
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