No-fault divorce law ‘hallelujah moment’ for couples who seek amicable split

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Campaigners have heralded the biggest shake up of divorce law in half a century as a “hallelujah moment” for couples wishing split amicably. He said: “In addition to reducing potential conflict by removing the issue of blame from the divorce law, there are lots of positives to be taken from the new law, not least in allowing joint applications for divorce for the first time, removing the ability of one spouse to defend a divorce and simplifying the divorce terminology and language.” Anyone thinking this law change will usher in “quickie divorces” would be mistaken, he said, as there is a minimum 20 weeks between starting proceedings and applying for a conditional order, and a further six-week period before divorce is granted. The online divorce service Amicable said the move signals a “huge narrative shift to separation” and will go some way to healing the “blame-laden” system Co founder Kate Daly said the group “fiercely contest” claims that the new legislation will undermine the sanctity of marriage, instead saying it enables divorce to be achieved “in a less punishing, more collaborate way”. She said couples applying for divorce together “may well become the standard process as lawyers seek to minimise conflict” and the new legislation will “massively speed up” the process for couples who previously would have elected to divorce on the basis of two years’ separation.