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iGlossary
A list of family law terminology to help better understand what lawyers are talking about and some of the specific terms used. This glossary provides general information only. Professional advice should always be taken and we cannot accept any liability for reliance on it.
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Joint residence order
see residence order
Joint tenancy
See severance of joint tenancy.
Judicial separation
A mostly historical provision, stating that a couple are separated legally. Needs same grounds as a divorce and not needed for tax purposes. Cannot provide finality of financial settlement, not used so much now pension sharing powers. Used by some from religious communities.
Jurisdiction
Can be used to refer to a country or federal state. More often refers to the connection a party to proceedings must have with a country to allow that country to have the proceedings. Sometimes more than one country has possible jurisdiction, and there can be big advantages to one spouse to have the proceedings in one country and not another. This results in a possible forum fight. Where two or more EU countries are involved, Brussels II says that the first to issue secures jurisdiction so speed in issuing is vital. Jurisdiction can sometimes mean the power of the court to make an order.
Jurisdiction Clause
A clause in an agreement such as a pre-marriage or marital agreement stating in which country the couple would want any proceedings to take place. England gives these clauses considerable importance in deciding any forum dispute and greater weight than other elements of the agreement. Sometimes a clause may state which country’s laws the couple would want to deal with any proceedings; England construes this as a jurisdiction clause as to preference for the country to deal with the case.
