No Fault Divorce Coming Into Force In April 2022

From 6th April 2022, married couples will be able to divorce on amicable terms when no-fault divorce comes into force.

The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 officially starts on 6th April next year after ministers confirmed this date is now fixed. The original start date of Spring 2020 was pushed back in order to enable the IT changes to be made to HMCT’s online divorce systems.

What Will Be The Changes To Divorce Law?

Under the Act, it is hoped that the no-fault element will modernise the divorce process and help to make divorce more civilised for families, which will be especially beneficial for divorcing couples with children involved.

Couples wanting to divorce at the moment, are forced to give grounds for divorce – and have to select one of the following reasons for petitioning for divorce:
• Adultery
• Unreasonable behaviour
• Desertion
• 2 years separation with consent
• 5 years non-consented separation

With no-fault divorce, couples will be allowed to appeal for divorce together and on the basis that the marriage has simply broken down – and without the need to apportion blame to either party.

The main changes with no-fault divorce are:
• No need to assign blame
• No option to contest a divorce
• Option to make a joint application for divorce
• A minimum timeframe for divorce
• The changes also apply to the dissolution of civil partnerships

No Fault Divorce Process

Our specialist family law solicitors are here to advise couples who wish to separate and always do all they can to help couples find the right route to divorce for them – in the most amicable and straightforward way possible.

To speak to one of our family solicitors about your divorce or to find out more about the no-fault divorce, please contact us at our Chorlton office on 0161 860 7123 or email chorlton@hlfberry.com at our Failsworth office on 0161 681 4005 or email failsworth@hlfberry.com