14:45 May 7, 2011 

The act means a specific Act of Parliament.
The law means the law in general.(de wet)

14:23 May 7, 2011 

Yes, I think so
I was actually thinking of things like the law permits, the law allows for, ...
The context may decide what fits best

I don't know whether I would use the word 'act' as Dave does,
Perhaps this should be used when it concerns one specific, yes, Act

anyway, the law permits, allows, allows for, etc. sounds better to me than the act permits, ...

but I have native Dutch ears, of course :-)

14:08 May 7, 2011 

Thank you Barend, I figured because of the fact that it is in speech marks that this is the judge's pronouncement on authorising the divorce. Do you think therefore that it is alright to simply translate it as I would if it were in another text?

14:01 May 7, 2011 

I don't know
However, I don't think 'de wet laat toe' is a standard legal phrase in Dutch
To me it is normal and natural Dutch