Conciliation

Conciliation is an attempt to help a couple reconcile before a divorce petition is filed. Under Section 106 of Act 164, it is required before a single petition, but not before a joint petition.

The couple can go to any conciliatory body they both accept. If they cannot agree on one, the matter goes to the marriage tribunal for the area where they live.

If the body cannot reconcile them, it issues a certificate saying so. The petitioner then files this certificate with the divorce petition.

Why it matters: without the certificate, you usually cannot file a single petition. The Act allows some exceptions, for example where your spouse lives abroad, has deserted you and cannot be found, or refuses to attend.