The implementation of eagerly awaited divorce law reforms was delayed last week. The government announced at least a six-month delay to the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, which will now not come into force before April next year.

The change in law is designed to end the requirement of one party to carry the blame for the demise of a marriage. The act, which received royal assent a year ago, will create “no-fault” divorce while banning contested divorces.

Responding to the delay, Partner Mark Harper commented:

“Bitterly disappointing for thousands of divorcing couples who will either have to delay their divorce for more than six months now or rely on adultery or unreasonable behaviour to start a divorce. Relying on fault is always a bad start to any divorce and inevitably causes unnecessary acrimony.”

Read Mark’s comments in The Times.