The difference between decree nisi & decree absolute ======================================================== [Ayesha Vardag](https://vardags.com/solicitors/ayesha-vardag) | Founder & President | 12th June 2025 *Please note that the following guide only applies to divorces started before 4pm on 5th April 2022. For divorces after this date, [no fault divorce](https://vardags.com/law-guide/basic-principles/no-fault-divorce) now applies. A Decree Nisi is now called a Conditional Order, and a Decree Absolute is a Final Order. Learn more [here](https://vardags.com/law-guide/divorce-process/conditional-orders-and-final-orders).* Decree nisi is the first, conditional decree in divorce, and will be granted if the respondent has not indicated an intention to defend the divorce application, and the judge is satisfied that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. Decree nisi states that the marriage has broken down irretrievably and can be dissolved within six weeks from the pronouncement of the decree unless a cause can be shown as to why the decree should not be made absolute. It is important to note that decree nisi will not grant you the divorce and an application for a final decree must be made to the court. Decree absolute is the final decree of divorce and if you are the applicant, the earliest you can apply for it is six weeks and one day after the pronouncement of decree nisi. If you are the respondent, and the applicant has failed to apply for the decree absolute, the earliest you can apply for the decree absolute is six weeks plus three months after the decree nisi. Upon receiving the application for the conditional order to be made absolute, the court will check that no appeal has been lodged against the decree nisi and the correct amount of time has lapsed. If these conditions are satisfied, the court will issue decree absolute and send a copy to both parties or their solicitors. Only after you have received the decree absolute is your marriage dissolved and you are actually divorced. It is usual to wait until any financial issues are resolved (i.e. whether one party should pay the other maintenance or how the assets are to be split) before applying for a degree absolute but this is something you should discuss with your solicitor. Therefore, in reality, there is often a longer period between the decree nisi and decree absolute. The process is the same for civil partnerships but the terminology is slightly different. In civil partnership dissolution proceedings, the equivalent to decree nisi is called a conditional order and the equivalent for decree absolute is a known as a final order. **If you're considering or going through a divorce, click below for a free initial consultation with one of our expert divorce solicitors.** [BOOK FREE CONSULTATION](https://vardags.com/contact "BOOK FREE CONSULTATION") The information on this website is intended as a guide and does not constitute legal advice. Vardags do not accept liability for any errors in the information on this website, nor any losses stemming from reliance upon the statements made herein. All articles and pages aim to reflect the legal position at time they were published, and may have been rendered obsolete by subsequent developments in the law. Should you require specialist advice, tailored to your situation, please see how Vardags can help you. AUTHOR ------ Ayesha Vardag "Britain's top divorce lawyer" Ayesha Vardag rose to fame for winning the landmark Supreme Court case of Radmacher v Granatino in 2010, changing the law to make prenuptial agreements legally enforceable in England and Wales. The founder and President of Vardags, Ayesha specialises in high-net-worth divorce, often with an international... [READ MORE](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/ayesha-vardag "Ayesha Vardag") What our clients say -------------------- Vardags were outstanding throughout my divorce. They were incredibly supportive from the very first meeting & when my mother passed away a month into the proceedings they were so kind & understanding. Amanda Allen Your care throughout was amazing. Christina Wolff You may find good or even great lawyers, but based on my personal experience, they are the best. Cliff Krause They have definitely lived up to their name of being a top divorce and family law firm. S. Gasparini The team who supported my case at Vardags over several months, led by Nikki Hale (Senior Associate), were outstanding. Nikki navigated me through unchartered territory with expert counsel. It was a blend of confidence, honesty... and objectivity with my best interests always in mind. Further to the professional qualities Nikki and her team possess, they were so personable and I felt they really appreciated and considered any emotional or sensitive matters. I have since recommended Niki and Vardags to friends which is the greatest compliment I can pay. Philip Rogers What should have been the worst year of my life was resurrected by this firm. The Manchester based team of Anne-Marie Bradley and Kate Taylor were exceptional. They treat you as a human being rather than a client. I can't thank... them enough for all their expertise, choice of barrister and expert witness. If I am ever unlucky enough to repeat this horrible episode, they will be my first port of call. Can't recommend these two enough. Mark Gallagher OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM ------------------- [### Ayesha Vardag](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/ayesha-vardag "Ayesha Vardag Founder & President Divorce & Family") [### Stephen Bence](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/stephen-bence "Stephen Bence Vardags CEO") [### David Lister](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/david-lister "David Lister") [Founder & President](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/ayesha-vardag "Ayesha Vardag Founder & President Divorce & Family") [Chief Executive Officer](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/stephen-bence "Stephen Bence Vardags CEO") [Senior Partner and Head of London Family - Divorce & Family](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/david-lister "David Lister") [### Ayesha Vardag Founder & President ](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/ayesha-vardag "Ayesha Vardag Founder & President Divorce & Family")"Ayesha Vardag - Britain's top divorce lawyer." The Telegraph [### Stephen Bence Chief Executive Officer](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/stephen-bence "Stephen Bence Vardags CEO")"Dr Stephen Bence is a financial genius." Lewis Marks KC [### David Lister Senior Partner and Head of London Family - Divorce & Family ](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/david-lister "David Lister")"Brilliant with a real spark which clients love" Legal 500 [Meet the rest of the team](https://vardags.com/team) [Vardags climbs ranks of UK's biggest firms in The Lawyer's UK 200](https://vardags.com/posts/vardags-london-climbs-ranks-of-uks-biggest-firms-in-the-lawyers-uk-200)