The Matrimonial Causes Act 1857

The Matrimonial Causes Act 1857 centralized divorce processes in England by transferring authority from ecclesiastical courts to a new civil court. It established a single Court for divorce and matrimonial causes, making it easier for individuals to legally end a marriage. The act clarified grounds for divorce, such as adultery, cruelty, or desertion, and introduced procedural safeguards. Overall, it aimed to make divorce more accessible, regulated, and standardized under civil law, reflecting a shift towards secular legal handling of marital dissolutions.