Section 57 Matrimonial Causes Act 1970

Section 57 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1970 is about Decree absolute where children under sixteen years, etc. It provides as follows:

(1) Where there are children of the marriage in relation to whom this section applies, the decree nisi shall not become absolute unless the court, by order, has declared-
(a) that it is satisfied that proper arrangements in all the circumstances have been made for the welfare and, where appropriate, the advancement and education of those children; or

(b) that there are special circumstances that the decree nisi should become absolute notwithstanding that the court is not satisfied that such arrangements have been made.

(2) In this section, “children of the marriage in relation to whom this section applies” means-
(a) the children of the marriage who are under the age of sixteen years at the date of the decree nisi; and

(b) any children of the marriage in relation to whom the court has, in pursuance of the next succeeding subsection, ordered that this section shall apply.

(3) The court may, in a particular case, if it is of opinion that there are special circumstances which justify its so doing, order that this section shall apply in relation to a child of the marriage who has attained the age of sixteen years at the date of the decree nisi.

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