Section 25A — Matrimonial Causes Act 1973: Exercise of court’s powers in favour of party to marriage on divorce or nullity of marriage order .

Exercise of court’s powers in favour of party to marriage on divorce or nullity of marriage order . 25A 1 Where on or after the making of a divorce or nullity of marriage order the court decides to exercise its powers under section 23(1)(a), (b) or (c), 24 or , 24A , 24B or 24E above in favour of a party to the marriage, it shall be the duty of the court to consider whether it would be appropriate so to exercise those powers that the financial obligations of each party towards the other will be terminated as soon after the making of the order as the court considers just and reasonable.

2 Where the court decides in such a case to make a periodical payments or secured periodical payments order in favour of a party to the marriage, the court shall in particular consider whether it would be appropriate to require those payments to be made or secured only for such term as would in the opinion of the court be sufficient to enable the party in whose favour the order is made to adjust without undue hardship to the termination of his or her financial dependence on the other party.

3 Where on or after the making of a divorce or nullity of marriage order an application is made by a party to the marriage for a periodical payments or secured periodical payments order in his or her favour, then, if the court considers that no continuing obligation should be imposed on either party to make or secure periodical payments in favour of the other, the court may dismiss the application with a direction that the applicant shall not be entitled to make any further application in relation to that marriage for an order under section 23(1)(a) or (b) above.

4 See also section 52A (interpretation of certain references to divorce orders, nullity of marriage orders and judicial separation orders).