Condonation

It means forgiveness. In matrimonial matters, it means a situation where a spouse forgives the other spouse of a misconduct e.g. adultery which could have formed a basis for the innocent spouse to bring an action for the dissolution of their marriage. The forgiveness is made on the basis that the spouse who does wrong would not repeat the wrongful act in future.

However, once a spouse condones the wrongful act of the other spouse, the innocent spouse cannot subsequently bring an action for divorce over the same wrong that has originally been condoned.