arrhae sponsalitiae
noun
Literal translation
These payments are not in Latin but are related to the contractual obligations of a husband to his wife.
Legal meaning
This phrase is used to describe the legal principle where a husband’s financial support or maintenance obligations towards his wife, which stems from matrimonial and family law principles. Such terms often reflect historical and customary practices regarding marriage and marital relations in South Africa.
Examples
- In accordance with the principle of arrhae sponsalitiae, a husband is legally obligated to maintain his wife financially after their marriage.