MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE LAWS IN NIGERIA, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND UNITED STATES: A CALL FOR LEGAL REFORM

Abstract

This paper examines no-fault divorce proceeding and focuses on three jurisdictions that include Nigeria, United Kingdom and United States of America. Divorce will not be discussed without insight into marriage as an institution from where divorce is derived hence, marriage in the three jurisdictions constitute the centre of concern in this paper. In Nigeria, Customary, Islamic and Statutory Marriages are examined and in the United Kingdom and United States of America, marriage is evaluated tracing its history and nature. Divorce being the focus of this research was in relation to 1Nigeria in the context of the applicable procedures, requirements for sustainable and valid grant of divorce of marriages contract through any of the three types of marriages. In the United Kingdom and United States of America, State of New York as the case study, examining their historical nature of divorce to present day 21st century divorce proceedings. The paper adopted doctrinal divorce methodology that entails reference to both secondary and primary library sources. Comparative approach was applied with respect to dissolution of marriage was and findings as revealed by this method and approach resulted the scholarly recommendation in the nature of suggestions made towards making Nigeria align with the 21st century dissolution of Statutory Marriage.