Divorce

Divorce in the UK is a legal process by which a marriage is formally ended and involves several steps and legal considerations. We work with a range of experts who can support you throughout your divorce and help you remain focused on the issues that matter. For more information click here.

Grounds for Divorce

Sweeping changes in divorce law in April 2022 introduced "no-fault" divorces, simplifying the process and removing the need to assign blame for the breakdown of the marriage. The only requirement now is to demonstrate that the marriage has irretrievably broken down and there is no longer a requirement to prove one of the five grounds which had previously been in place prior to April 2022.

The Divorce Process

  1. The Divorce Application:

    • An application can be made by one spouse (a sole application) or by the couple together (a joint application). If the application is:

      • A sole application, the person who starts the divorce proceedings is known as the applicant and the spouse is known as the respondent.

      • A joint application, the spouses together are the applicants and there is no respondent.

    • The application is submitted online or on paper using Form D8.

  2. Service of the Divorce Application:

    • If the application is a sole application by the applicant, the court will serve a copy to the other spouse (the respondent), along with an acknowledgment of service.

  3. Acknowledgment of Service:

    • The respondent must return the acknowledgment of service form within 14 days, confirming receipt of the application.

      A divorce order will then require two further stages and providing your spouse is not disputing the proceedings, 20 weeks after the divorce application was issued, you can apply for the first stage of the divorce order, called the conditional order.

  4. Conditional Order:

    • Only after the acknowledgment of service is received, the applicant can apply for a conditional order (formerly known as the decree nisi).

    • The court reviews the application, and if satisfied that the marriage has irretrievably broken down, a judge issues a certificate allowing the petitioner to proceed.

    • A hearing may not be necessary unless there are disputes.

  5. Final Order:

    • Six weeks and one day after the conditional order is granted, the petitioner can apply for the final order (formerly known as the decree absolute), which legally ends the marriage.

We offer fixed fees for undefended divorces, contact us to find out more.