Matrimonial Causes Act 1965

17 Application of settled and other property

(1) The court may, after granting a decree of divorce—

(a) inquire into the existence of ante-nuptial or post-nuptial settlements made on the parties whose marriage is the subject of the decree ; and

(b) make such orders as the court thinks fit as respects the application, for the benefit of the children of the marriage or the parties to the marriage, of the whole or any part of the property settled ;

and the court may exercise its powers under the foregoing provisions of this section notwithstanding that there are no children of the marriage.

(2) Where the court grants a decree of divorce by reason of the adultery, desertion or cruelty of the wife and it appears to the court that she is entitled to any property either in possession or reversion, the court may if it thinks fit order such settlement as it thinks reasonable to be made of the property, or of any part of it, for the benefit of the innocent party and of the children of the marriage or either or any of them.