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Section 58

Damages for adultery may be claimed against co-respondent

of Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976

ActIn forceProvision 61 of 113
Section 58

(2)

A petition under subsection (1) may include a prayer that the co-respondent be condemned in damages in respect of the alleged adultery.

(3)

Where damages have been claimed against a co-respondent—

(a)

if, after the close of the evidence for the petitioner, the court is of the opinion that there is not sufficient evidence against the co-respondent to justify requiring him or her to reply, the co-respondent shall be discharged from the proceedings;

or

(b)

if, at the conclusion of the hearing, the court is satisfied that adultery between the respondent and co-respondent has been proved, the court may award the petitioner such damages as it may think fit, but so that the award shall not include any exemplary or punitive element.