### Matrimonial Causes Ordinance 《婚姻訴訟條例》

17. Proceedings after decree nisi
(1) Where a decree nisi of divorce has been granted but not made absolute, then, without prejudice to section 16, any person (excluding a party to the proceedings other than the Proctor) may show cause why the decree should not be made absolute by reason of material facts not having been brought before the court; and in such a case the court may—
(a) notwithstanding anything in section 15(5), make the decree absolute; or 
(b) rescind the decree nisi; or 
(c) require further inquiry; or 
(d) otherwise deal with the case as it thinks fit. (Amended 33 of 1972 s. 9) 
(2) (a) Where a decree nisi of divorce has been granted and no application for it to be made absolute is made, then, at any time after the expiration of 3 months from the earliest date on which such an application could have been made, an application for a decree absolute may be made by—
(i) in a case where the decree nisi was granted on a petition for divorce, the person against whom it was granted; or 
(ii) in a case where such a decree was granted on an application for divorce, either of the parties by whom the application was made. 
(b) Where an application is made under this subsection, the court may in relation to it exercise any of the powers mentioned in subsection (1)(a) to (d). (Replaced 29 of 1995 s. 13) 
[cf. 1965 c. 72 s. 7 U.K.]

### Matrimonial Causes Ordinance 《婚姻訴訟條例》

17A. Financial protection for respondent in certain cases
(1) This section shall apply where—
(a) the respondent to a petition for divorce in which the petitioner alleges any such fact as is mentioned in section 11A(2)(c) or (d) has applied to the court under this section for it to consider the financial position of the respondent after the divorce; and 
(b) a decree nisi of divorce has been granted on the petition and the court holds that the only fact on which the petitioner is entitled to rely in support of his petition is that mentioned in section 11A(2)(c) or (d). (Amended 29 of 1995 s. 17) 
(2) The court hearing an application by the respondent under subsection (1) shall consider—
(a) all the circumstances, including the age, health, conduct, earning capacity, financial resources and financial obligations of each of the parties; and 
(b) the financial position of the respondent as, having regard to the divorce, it is likely to be after the death of the petitioner should the petitioner die first. 
(3) Notwithstanding anything in this Ordinance but subject to subsection (4), the court shall not make absolute the decree of divorce if an application has been made under subsection (1), unless it is satisfied that—
(a) the petitioner should not be required to make any financial provision for the respondent; or 
(b) the financial provision made by the petitioner for the respondent is reasonable and fair or the best that can be made in the circumstances. 
(4) The court may, if it thinks fit, proceed without observing the requirements of subsections (2) and (3) if—
(a) it appears that there are circumstances making it desirable that the decree should be made absolute without delay; and 
(b) the court has obtained a satisfactory undertaking from the petitioner that he will make such financial provision for the respondent as the court may approve. 
(Added 33 of 1972 s. 10) [cf. 1969 c. 55 s. 6 U.K.]

### Matrimonial Causes Ordinance 《婚姻訴訟條例》

18. Remarriage of divorced persons
(1) Where a decree of divorce has been made absolute and either—
(a) there is no right of appeal against the decree absolute; or 
(b) the time for appealing against the decree absolute has expired without an appeal having been brought; or 
(c) an appeal against the decree absolute has been dismissed, 
either party to the former marriage may marry again. 
(2) No clergyman shall be compelled—
(a) to solemnize the marriage of any person whose former marriage has been dissolved and whose former spouse is still living; or 
(b) to permit the marriage of such a person to be solemnized in the church or chapel of which he is the minister. 
[cf. 1965 c. 72 s. 8 U.K.]

18A. Court not to dismiss petition or application to make absolute a decree nisi on ground of collusion or misconduct of petitioner
Without prejudice to any provision of this Ordinance which empowers or requires the court to dismiss a petition for divorce or judicial separation or to dismiss an application for a decree nisi to be made absolute, nothing in any rule of law shall be taken as empowering or requiring the court to dismiss such a petition or application on the ground of collusion between the parties in connexion with the presentation or prosecution of the petition or the obtaining of the decree nisi or on the ground of any conduct on the part of the petitioner. 
(Added 33 of 1972 s. 11) [cf. 1969 c. 55 s. 9(3) U.K.]

### Matrimonial Causes Ordinance 《婚姻訴訟條例》

18B. Rules
The Chief Judge may make rules for the purposes of— (Amended 10 of 2005 s. 13)
(a) ensuring that, where on a petition for divorce the petitioner, in pursuance of section 11A(2)(c), alleges that the respondent consents to a decree being granted, the respondent has been given such information as will enable him to understand the consequences to him of his consenting to a decree being granted and the steps which he must take to indicate that he consents to the grant of a decree; and [cf. 1969 c. 55 s. 2(6) U.K.]
(b) requiring the solicitor acting for a petitioner for divorce to certify whether he has discussed with the petitioner the possibility of a reconciliation and given him the names and address of persons qualified to help effect a reconciliation between the parties to a marriage who have become estranged; and [cf. 1969 c. 55 s. 3(1) U.K.]
(c) enabling the parties to a marriage, or either of them, on application made either before or after the presentation of a petition for divorce, to refer to the court any agreement or arrangement made or proposed to be made between them, being an agreement or arrangement which relates to, arises out of, or is connected with, the proceedings for divorce which are contemplated or, as the case may be, have begun, and for enabling the court to express an opinion, should it think it desirable to do so, as to the reasonableness of the agreement or arrangement and to give such directions, if any, in the matter as it thinks fit. [cf. 1969 c. 55 s. 7(1) U.K.]
(Added 33 of 1972 s. 11. Amended 29 of 1995 s. 17)

19. Petition for nullity
A husband or wife may present a petition to the court praying that his or her marriage may be declared null and void on any of the grounds mentioned in section 20.