Major Changes to UK Divorce Law

No-Fault divorce came into force on the 6^th April 2022

On the 6th April 2022, landmark reforms to UK divorce law came into effect. The new legislation introduces no-fault divorces, meaning that couples will now be able to divorce without having to blame each other for the breakdown of the marriage. This is intended to reduce conflict between separating couples and make the process of divorce less traumatic.

The changes to the law have been welcomed by family law experts, who say that they will make a big difference to the lives of those going through a divorce. However, some critics have warned that the new rules could lead to an increase in divorces, as couples may be more likely to split up if they do not have to blame each other for the marriage breakdown.

The new law update will help in four key areas:

1. Changes remove unnecessary conflict to ease the stress on couples and children
2. A new minimum wait of 20 weeks between application and conditional order of divorce
3. Part of wider action to improve the family justice system
4. Simplifying the language of divorce to make it more understandable. This includes replacing the terms ‘decree nisi’, ‘decree absolute’ and ‘petitioner’, with ‘conditional order’, ‘final order’ and ‘applicant’.

The changes to UK divorce law are set to have a major impact on the lives of many people.

If you are considering getting divorced, it is important to seek legal advice to ensure that you understand your rights and obligations under the new system. Our team are on hand to discuss how we can assist you should you require help or further clarification on this new change.

For a free initial consultation, please fill in the form below and we'll get back to you as soon as possible or call 01483 600 900 to book an appointment to meet with one of our team.