The act amends the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 to allow one party to petition a court to not declare their divorce decree absolute until they have received a similar document from a religion's authority.

The act was brought before Parliament by Andrew Dismore MP as a private members' bill under the Ten Minute Rule.

Some husbands have refused permission for various reasons, including demanding money from the wife, but they have still received a civil divorce and all the advantages this confers, including civil remarriage.

Requiring the religious notice to be presented first would prevent a husband from gaining any advantage civil divorce might grant while holding his wife to ransom.

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