Govt and Opposition passed Bill allowing men to apply for spousal support in divorce proceedings

The Matrimonial Causes Amendment Bill 2024 was passed on Wednesday in the National Assembly.  The Bill, which received support from both the Opposition and Government sides of the House, will reform the existing Act by removing discriminatory provisions, thereby ensuring the fundamental right of receiving legal recourse is protected.

Additionally, the amendments also make provision for divorce on the grounds of irreconcilable differences which has caused “the irremediable breakdown of the marriage.”

The amendment also follows a recent ruling by acting Chief Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire, who deemed Section 14 of the previously existing act as discriminatory based on sex and gender, as it only allowed women to obtain spousal support after divorce proceedings have concluded.