Matrimony

Marriage (9. w.).

In the sense of the relation or status, not of the ceremony. Matrimonial causes, is a term used in England more than in the United States to designate that class of suits which involve rights pertaining to marriage, other than claims to divorce. Matrimonial causes are a branch of the ecclesiastical jurisdiction, and are either; Suits of jactitation of marriage. These are brought when one of the parties boasts or gives out that he or she is married to the other, whereby a common reputation of their marriage may ensue. The party injured may petition the divorce court, which will enjoin a perpetual silence on that head. Suits for restitution of conjugal rights. These are brought when a husband or wife The court will compel them to come together again. Suits for judicial separation and dissolution. These have superseded the divorces a mensa et thoro and a vinculo mc Urimonii.

Whartim,