VPRS 5336 Divorce and Matrimonial Court Minute Books

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Until 1861 in Victoria, divorce was a matter for the ecclesiastical courts as it was in England until 1857 1858. The Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act 1861 conferred upon the Supreme Court of Victoria the jurisdiction in matters matrimonial and authority in certain cases to decree the dissolution of the marriage. This continued to be the case until the passing of the Commonwealth Family Law Act 1975.

This series provides a record of the Court hearing in applications in the divorce and matrimonial causes jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. For each sitting of the Court, details are given of the date, the name of the presiding judge, the names of the parties to the case and of their attorneys, a summary of the evidence in the form of witness lists or lists of exhibits or other documents presented and the decision of the Court in the matter.