Separation:

• Separation Agreement: document setting out the terms agreed, usually before divorce proceedings are considered.
• Judicial Separation: a formal separation sanctioned by the court that enables the courts to make orders about money and property.

Divorce:

• Petition: the document by which a divorce or judicial separation is applied for.
• Answer: the formal defence to a divorce petition.
• Request for Directions: application to the court for a decree nisi.

People involved:

• Petitioner: the person who applies for a divorce or judicial separation.
• Respondent: the other spouse upon whom the divorce or judicial separation proceedings are served.
• Co-Respondent: a person with whom the respondent is alleged to have committed adultery. The law no longer requires that person to be named as a Co -Respondent in the divorce proceedings.
• District Judge: a County Court judge who deals with most of the divorce proceedings and usually with financial matters.

Finally

• Decree Nisi: the provisional order indicating that the court is satisfied that the grounds for divorce have been established.
• Decree Absolute: the final order of the court, which brings the marriage to an end.
• Property Adjustment: Order: an order that a husband or wife should transfer property to the other.
• Clean Break: a financial arrangement where it is agreed or ordered that the husband and wife will make no further claims against each other for capital or maintenance.
• Consent Order: an order made by a court giving effect to the terms agreed between husband and wife.
  

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