Matrimonial Causes Act 1965

16 Maintenance orders

(1) On granting a decree of divorce or at any time thereafter (whether before or after the decree is made absolute), the court may, if it thinks fit and subject to subsection (3) of this section, make one or more of the following orders—

(a) an order requiring the husband to secure to the wife to the satisfaction of the court, such lump or annual sum for any term not exceeding her life as the court thinks reasonable having regard to her fortune (if any), his ability and the conduct of the parties;

(b) an order requiring the husband to pay to the wife during their joint lives such monthly or weekly sum for her maintenance as the court thinks reasonable;

(c) an order requiring the husband to pay to the wife such lump sum as the court thinks reasonable.

(2) Where the court decides to make an order under paragraph (a) of the foregoing subsection, it may—

(a) direct that the matter be referred to one of the conveyancing counsel of the court for him to settle a proper instrument to be executed by all necessary parties; and

(b) if it thinks fit, defer the grant of the decree until the instrument has been duly executed.

(3) Where a petition for divorce is presented by the wife on the ground of her husband's insanity, subsection (1) of this section shall have effect with the substitution of references to the wife for references to the husband and of references to the husband for references to the wife.