No decree shall hereafter be made for a divorce a mensa et toro, but the husband or wife may obtain a decree of judicial separation, on the ground of adultery, or cruelty, or desertion 1*** for two years or upwards, and such decree shall have the effect of a divorce a mensa et toro under the existing law, and such other legal effect as here in after mentioned.
1The words "without reasonable excuse" omitted by s. 17, ibid. (w.e.f. 3-10-2001).