Record-breaking number of Divorce Applications

The number of divorce applications made has reached its highest level for a decade, with 33,566 divorce applications having been filed in England and Wales between April and June 2022. This figure shows the potential impact of the law change made in April 2022, when no-fault divorces were introduced.  Kay & Pascoe are very proud to have been involved in the push to the change in legislation and participated with the lobby day in Parliament organised by Resolution.

Before the no-fault divorce law was introduced, unless adultery, unreasonable behaviour or desertion could be proven, applicants had to live separately and apart from their spouse for two or five years in order to get divorced.

The new divorce legislation enables married couples to get divorced without apportioning blame for the breakdown of their marriage. It also began a new minimum period of 20 weeks, for “meaningful” reflection, between the start of proceedings and the next step in applying for a conditional order.

We wonder whether this 22% rise in divorce applications is simply an initial surge due to the easier on-line process involved in now getting a divorce, or whether there is also an increase in the overall number of couples divorcing these days.

It will be interesting to see if the current political turmoil has an impact on the number of couples getting divorced.

If you wish to speak to someone to find out more about the new divorce law, please do not hesitate to contact either our Heathfield office (01435 817 060) or Crowborough office (01892 664 348).

Robyn Smith