DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND MATRIMONIAL PROCEEDINGS ACT 1978

Either party to a marriage may apply to a magistrates’ court for an order on the ground that the other party to the marriage has:

• a)failed to provide reasonable maintenance for the applicant; or
• b)failed to provide, or to make a proper contribution towards, reasonable maintenance for any child of the family; or
• c)behaved in such a way that the applicant cannot reasonably be expected to live with the respondent; or
• d)deserted the applicant.

The powers that the court has to make orders for financial provision include periodical payments, lump sums and an order for the benefit of the child.