After years of rallying and debate the Divorce Dissolution and Separation Act (DDSA) received Royal Assent and the law governing divorce was reformed after having been in existence for nearly 50 Years. The new regime came into force on 6th April 2021 . The New Regime means that it is now possible to have one lawyer deal with an agreed divorce
Shortlands is a boutique family law firm with over 20 years of experience in dealing with the trials and tribulations of a divorce and all family law matters. As a result, we have become the first choice of family law specialists in London.
We are yet to receive an outline of the procedure. Currently, a non-contested divorce takes six months to conclude.
The no-fault divorce process means that many outdated laws will be bought into the 21st century. The case of Owen –v- Owen (2018) highlighted how out of touch the current divorce law is with current society.
The Act promoting no-fault divorce was passed in June 2020, and the government is working on making it law.
The new legislation will:
1. Replace the five facts with a new requirement to provide a statement of irretrievable breakdown of the marriage
2. Remove the possibility of contesting the divorce
3. Introduce an option for a joint application
4. Make sure the language used is in plain English; for example, “Decree Nisi” will be called “Conditional Oder” and “Decree Absolute” called a “Final Order”.
5. These changes will also apply to the dissolution of Civil Partnerships.
It is hoped that the introduction of the no-fault divorce process will reduce conflict and animosity, allowing couples to focus on the important issues of children, property and finances.
The new no-fault divorce procedure will also take away the misconception that by apportioning “fault”, there will be an advantage in terms of the financial settlement. It is very rare for the court to use one party’s conduct to the advantage of the other in a financial case.
Contrary to the thoughts of some campaigners objecting to the implementation of the no-fault divorce procedure, the new procedure is highly unlikely to result in an increase in couples’ divorcing. In fact, it will make the process cheaper and less stressful.
Our professional and highly experienced team of family lawyers can assist you in your legal matters with full respect, ensuring you maintain a private family life. For more extensive advice and information, please email info@shortlands.co.uk or call us 02076299905 or book an initial online consultation.
You have to be married for at least one year before divorce can be commenced.
No. You are able to divorce in the UK as long as you or your spouse have been resident here for at least one year before starting your case, or you and your spouse are domiciled in the UK.
No. The same procedure has to be followed before divorce is finalised. See Our Flowchart.
– A divorce petition
– Original Marriage Certificate, with translation if appropriate
– A fee
An ‘agreed divorce’ takes about 5-6 months to finalise.
You are still able to divorce by showing the court that you have made attempts to locate them. The facts of 2 years’ separation with consent or adultery should not be relied upon in this instance.
Marriage is a sacred and significant institution in every society. It plays a central role in the lives of individuals worldwide. In the United Kingdom,
Article by:Wentworth Cecil Gurney,Trainee Solicitor References to business property in this article are to relevant business property. Business property passes either 100% or 50% free
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