Definition of decree nisi in English:
decree nisi
nounPlural decrees nisidɪˌkriː ˈnʌɪsʌɪ
English Law An order by a court of law stating the date on which a marriage will end unless a good reason not to grant a divorce is produced.
Example sentencesExamples
- The part-time television presenter was given a decree nisi at the High Court's family division last week.
- Last year, 3,347 decrees nisi were granted in the circuit court, with two-thirds of applications being taken by women.
- Braque remained Mrs Picasso long after the decree nisi had come through.
- Now that pension sharing has arrived, the court can split a pension on the decree nisi and hand part of it to one spouse.
- In normal circumstances divorce attracts little media publicity and in many countries the print media only carry it in the decree nisi column.
Origin
Late 19th century: Latin nisi 'unless'.