Can you really sue someone for breaking up your marriage? It’s a question that often stirs emotion and curiosity. In Zambia, however, “marriage interference” is not recognized as an independent cause of action.
While old English common law once allowed suits for alienation of affection or enticing away a spouse, modern Zambian courts have moved away from that view. Today, marriage is seen as a personal bond, not a property right that can be protected through damages. Issues of adultery or loss of consortium are dealt with under the Matrimonial Causes Act, usually within divorce proceedings not through a civil claim against a third party.
That said, certain conduct like public humiliation, defamation, or intentional emotional harm, may still give rise to a claim under recognized torts. The key is how the case is framed.