*/
Fault-based divorce is set to be scrapped under government plans to streamline the divorce process and end the ‘blame-game’.
Lord Chancellor, David Gauke, who has previously said that the argument for reform is ‘strong’, is expected to launch a consultation to shake up legislation that has not been changed for almost half a century.
A case at the Supreme Court in July highlighted the need for change, after judges ruled that Tini Owens must remain married to her husband of 40 years until 2020 because he refused to consent to a divorce.
Under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, unless both partners agree to split after two years of separation, one party must prove their partner is at fault through adultery, desertion or unreasonable behaviour. Otherwise, applicants must wait until they have lived apart for five years.
Fault-based divorce is set to be scrapped under government plans to streamline the divorce process and end the ‘blame-game’.
Lord Chancellor, David Gauke, who has previously said that the argument for reform is ‘strong’, is expected to launch a consultation to shake up legislation that has not been changed for almost half a century.
A case at the Supreme Court in July highlighted the need for change, after judges ruled that Tini Owens must remain married to her husband of 40 years until 2020 because he refused to consent to a divorce.
Under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, unless both partners agree to split after two years of separation, one party must prove their partner is at fault through adultery, desertion or unreasonable behaviour. Otherwise, applicants must wait until they have lived apart for five years.
Update from the Chair of the Bar
By Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group
Modernising communication and collaboration at a leading Chancery set. A Zexi case study
How to build profile without compromising professional duties. By Naumaan Farooq, Co-Founder of Inked PR
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the role of cut-off levels, and the wider range of factors that must be considered when interpreting results for family court proceedings
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
The case against judge-only justice – and why efficiency is not enough. By Professor Leslie Thomas KC
Jemima Coleman and Zoë Leventhal KC on the evolving global movement seeking to reframe how we view nature: to recognise that nature possesses inherent rights and to enshrine these rights in law
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Lauren Fullerton examines the how, what and why of setting up a second chambers base
