What is the Bill trying to achieve?
The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill seeks to:
- replace the requirement to provide evidence of conduct or separation facts with a new requirement to provide a statement of irretrievable breakdown;
- remove the possibility of contesting the decision to divorce, as the statement of irretrievable breakdown would be taken as conclusive evidence that the marriage has broken down irretrievably;
- introduce a new option of a joint application;
- introduce a minimum overall timeframe of six months into the divorce process;
- enable the Lord Chancellor, by order, to adjust the time periods;
- update terminology.
The law relating to judicial separation, and to dissolution of civil partnership and separation of civil partners, would be amended in a similar way.
How is it progressing?
The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill was debated at a second reading on Tuesday 25 June 2019 and has now been referred to the Public Bill Committee to be scrutinised on Tuesday 2 July 2019. The Committee is expected to report by Thursday 4 July 2019 so watch this space!
If you have any questions about Divorce please call and ask to speak to one of Hanne & Co’s Family & Divorce Team
