judicial separation

American  

noun

Law.

1. a decree of legal separation of spouses that does not dissolve the marriage bond.

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judicial separation British  

noun

1. family law a court decree requiring a man and wife to cease cohabiting but not dissolving the marriage See also a mensa et thoro Compare divorce

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Example Sentences

By a divorce pronounced after a judicial separation has been obtained by one of the spouses.

From Marriage and Divorce Laws of the World by Ringrose, Hyacinthe

For the law relating to the prevention of cruelty to children see Children, Law Relating to; for cruelty in the sense of such conduct as entitles a husband or wife to judicial separation see Divorce.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 7 "Crocoite" to "Cuba" by Various

He refused, however, to pronounce a decree of judicial separation, on the ground that as the parties themselves had been examined, he could not treat the husband’s answer as a counter petition.

From Norfolk Annals A Chronological Record of Remarkable Events in the Nineteeth Century, Vol. 2 by Mackie, Charles

More than one Commission had reported in favour of establishing a separate court, so that the dissolution of marriage might be effected by judicial separation instead of a special Act of Parliament. 

From The Real Gladstone an Anecdotal Biography by Ritchie, J. Ewing (James Ewing)

Judicial Separation.—A judicial separation may be granted on the ground of adultery, cruelty or desertion without legal cause or excuse continued for two years and upwards.

From Marriage and Divorce Laws of the World by Ringrose, Hyacinthe