Lawyers brace for divorce surge in 2023 after major 2022 law change

Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The first working Monday in January is dubbed “Divorce Day” because marital problems often worsen over the Christmas period. “Typically for most family lawyers, January sees a noticeable surge in enquiries received from people who want to start divorce proceedings. “This is certainly our experience, and we find that enquiries about divorce often start to come in between Christmas and New Year, with a noticeable peak around ‘divorce day’ and throughout January.” open image in gallery Family lawyer Louise Hunt, of Blythe Liggins Solicitors, is expecting a wave of divorce inquiries after Christmas The law change brought in a 20-week period for “meaningful” reflection from starting proceedings to applying for a conditional order. “The act also introduces a new minimum period of 20 weeks between the start of divorce proceedings and the application for conditional order, which is the middle stage of divorce proceedings.