If a person is served with a divorce petition and wants to defend the proceedings, the document they submit to the court is an Answer.

Most divorces are undefended, in which case there is no Answer.

Typically, an Answer states that the marriage has broken down irretrievably but asserts that the reason for the breakdown is unreasonable behaviour or adultery on the part of the petitioner. Details (‘particulars’) of the behaviour or adultery are usually given, and the Answer usually contains outline financial claims and a request that the petitioner be ordered by the court to pay all the costs of the divorce.