Decree Nisi Definition: A provisional decision of a court which does not have force or effect until a certain condition is met such as another petition brought before the court or after the passage of a period time. Related Terms: Decree Absolute, Divorce a Mensa et Thoro, Divorce A provisional decision of a court which does not have force or effect until a certain condition is met such as another petition brought before the court or after the passage of a period time, after which it is called a decree absolute. Although no longer required in many jurisdictions, this was the model for divorce procedures wherein a court would issue. A decree nisi, which would have no force or effect until a period of time passed (30 days or 6 months). Categories & Topics: Dictionary of Latin Law Terms Family Law Dictionary Find you are constantly looking up definitions? Try our search provider (works in most modern browsers) If you find an error or omission in Duhaime's Legal Dictionary, or if you have legal term suggestion, we'd love to hear from you!