Before the Divorce Reform Act, what was required to obtain a divorce?

• A. Required proving a matrimonial offence
• B. Divorce could be granted without fault
• C. Required two years of separation
• D. Mandatory counselling

Answer: (A)

Before the Divorce Reform Act, divorce was granted only when there was evidence of a matrimonial offence—fault on the part of one spouse such as adultery, cruelty, or desertion. This means you couldn’t obtain a divorce simply because the marriage had deteriorated or you wanted out; you had to show that your partner had breached the marriage in a way defined by law.

Divorce without fault was not available, which is why options suggesting no-fault grounds or separation alone would be incorrect. Likewise, the idea of a universal two-year separation requirement or mandatory counselling did not define the pre-reform process. The key point is that fault had to be proven for a divorce to be granted.