In Spain causes of nullity and divorce a thoro, in Portugal causes of nullity between Catholics, are still for the court Christian.
The contentious jurisdiction of the courts Christian was confined to promises of marriage, nullity of marriage caused by " diriment " impediments only, validity or invalidity of the sacrament, divorce a thoro (ibid.).
The grounds for a divorce a mensa et thoro, which may be granted for ever or for a limited time only, are cruelty, excessively vicious conduct, or desertion; for a divorce a vinculo matrimonii the chief grounds are impotence at the time of marriage, adultery or deliberate abandonment for three years.