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.