An Islamic divorce which involves the husband either pronouncing the words ‘I divorce you’ on three separate occasions, so that the parties can effectively reconcile the marriage twice before the third pronouncement, or where a husband pronounces the same words three times in one sitting to make the divorce final without any opportunity to effect a recociliation. The latter method is sometimes called the triple talaq and is the method most commonly used. Once the talaq has been pronounced three times the husband and wife cannot be married again until the wife has married and divorced another husband.

A union of two people not formalised in the customary manner as prescribed by law but created by an informal agreement to marry followed by cohabitation. As the union is not legally recognised it does not affect or grant any rights of property ownership, rights of survivorship or spousal benefits as between the parties.

A marriage arranged or entered into for a (non-romantic) financial, practical or political purpose that benefits one or both spouses, such as to gain nationality; a financial, practical or political arrangement between two people, groups or political parties that would not normally be expected to work together.

A formal agreement between two people who are about to marry, setting out the terms of ownership of assets, treatment of future earnings, control of property, and potential division if the marriage is subsequently dissolved. These agreements are fairly common if either party has substantial assets, children from a prior marriage, potential inheritances or high incomes. They are not recognised in every legal jurisdiction, most notably the United Kingdom.

The situation that exists when either or both spouses no longer are able or willing to live with each other, thereby destroying the husband/wife relationship with no hope of the resumption of spousal duties. This situation provides the ground for no-fault divorces in many jurisdictions.

The power and authority constitutionally conferred upon (or constitutionally recognised as existing in) a court or judge to pronounce the sentence of law, or award the remedies provided by the law, upon a state of facts, proved or admitted, referred to the court or tribunal for decision, and authorised by the law to be the subject of investigation or action by that court or tribunal, and in favour of or against persons who present themselves, or who are brought, before the court or tribunal in some manner sanctioned by law as proper and sufficient.