Ancillary Relief

This is the name of Court proceedings that deal with the property and financial issues.

Acknowledgement of Service Form

This form is completed by the person who is issued with the divorce proceedings.  In this form they acknowledge that they have received the divorce documentation and indicate whether or not they agree to the divorce.

CETV

Cash Equivalent Transfer Value.  The value of a pension if it were to be encashed.  The CETV does not always give an accurate figure and it is believed that the pension can often be worth a higher amount. 

Consent Order

This document sets out the arrangements in relation to property and finances and is signed by both parties and sent to the Court.  If the Court feels the arrangements are satisfactory they will seal it and the settlement will become binding.  The Consent Order is often referred to as a Clean Break Consent Order as it will dismiss any further claims from either party.

Decree Nisi

This document is confirmation from the Court that the divorce can proceed.  It does not end the marriage.

Decree Absolute

This is the document that dissolves the marriage.  This can be applied for six weeks and a day after the Decree Nisi.

Divorce Petition

The document that sets out the Petioners' intention to divorce the Respondent together with the grounds.  There is a Court Fee payable for issuing this Petition which can be paid by the Petitioner the Respondent or in cases of low finances the Petitioner may be exempt from payment.

Divorce Proceedings

The actual process of dealing with the divorce from issuing the proceedings to pronouncing Decree Absolute.

Divorce Petition

This is the document that sets out the person issuing proceedings' intention to divorce and the grounds in which the divorce is sought on.

Petitioner

The person who issues the Divorce Proceedings.  There has been a move over the last few years to avoid using words such as Petitioner and Respondent but to instead refer to parties as Husband and Wife in Court documentation. 

Process Server

This is an agent who arranges to serve the Respondent with the divorce documentation if the Acknowledgement of Service form is not completed. 

Respondent

The person who is served with and responds to the Divorce Proceedings.

Statement of Arrangements for Children

This form is sent to the Court with the divorce petition an indicates arrangements for any children in relation to education, living arrangements, health requirements etc.