Decree nisi

A decree nisi or rule nisi (fromLatin nisi, meaning "unless") is a court order that does not have any force unless a particular condition is met. Once the condition is met, the ruling becomes a decree absolute (rule absolute), and is binding. Typically, the condition is that an adversely affected party fail to provide satisfactory evidence or argument that the decree should not take effect (i.e. the decree takes effect unless the party shows that it shouldn't). For that reason, a decree nisi may also be called a rule, order or decree to show cause.