Family law, relationships, separation & divorce: thoughts & comment
The Family team at Michelmores has led what is understood to be the first case in the country where an application has been made to speed up the divorce process, since the introduction of no-fault divorce in England and Wales. The launch of the new no-fault divorce system in April 2022 saw the introduction of... Continue Reading →
Why has the law been reformed? Under the previous law those wanting to separate in the UK had to rely on one or more facts to prove that their relationship had irretrievably broken down: unreasonable behaviour, adultery (not available for civil partnership dissolution), desertion for at least 2 years, separation for at least 2 years... Continue Reading →
In arguably one of the highest-profile family law cases for decades, the Supreme Court has today ruled that a wife must remain married after her husband objected to a divorce. Mr and Mrs Owens' case hit the headlines when Mrs Owens appealed the court's decision not to allow her divorce to proceed, when it was... Continue Reading →
The calls for no fault divorce have grown louder this week after an Oxford judge has failed to allow a divorce to proceed. Tini Owens petitioned for divorce on the basis of her husband's unreasonable behaviour. The parties married in 1978 and have been separated two years. Mrs Owens moved out of the family home before... Continue Reading →
Almost half of all marriages today will end in divorce. Financial freedom, access to education, advances in technology and moves towards gender equality are all factors which have changed our attitudes towards the longevity of marriage. For many, marriage is no longer a commitment for life and so divorce is becoming more of a commodity... Continue Reading →
Picking up the pieces 