Meaby & Co Solicitors supports Resolution’s Good Divorce Week

Resolution is the leading organisation of family lawyers and other professionals in England and Wales. Our Head of Family Law, Joanna Toloczko is a member. This week is Resolution’s Good Divorce Week.

Conflict can have some serious long-term effects on children. Studies have shown that it’s not the separation or divorce proper that has an impact, but rather the conflict stemming from it that often has a detrimental impact on their well-being.

Resolution members are committed to reducing conflict, agreeing to a non-confrontational way of working that puts the best interests of children first.

The current law says, unless you have been separated for 2 years with consent, or 5 years without, you have to divorce on the grounds of adultery or behaviour. In 2016, the majority (60%) of divorces in England and Wales were granted on adultery and behaviour.

Divorce is always difficult, but having to show fault can increase the conflict between the couple and make it more difficult to sort out child and financial arrangements. 71% of the population agrees that no fault divorce is urgently needed to protect the long-term interests of children.

Without wanting to trivialise it, we call it ‘the blame game,’ but one that can have very serious consequences for the couple and any children they might have. Urgent reform is needed to remove blame from the process to reduce the negative impact of conflict on children.

Facts: Divorce in England and Wales

• There are over 100,000 divorces in England and Wales each year. (ONS 2018)
• Behaviour is the most common Fact used for opposite-sex divorce (52%) and same-sex divorce (83% among women, 73% among men. (ONS 2018)
• In 2015, 60% of divorces in England and Wales were granted on adultery and behaviour, compared with just 6-7% in Scotland where the law is different (Finding Fault 2017)
• National opinion survey showed only 29% of respondents to a fault divorce said that the Fact used very closely matched the reason for the separation. (Finding Fault, 2017)
• Fault is associated with shorter marriages, and evidence shows that fault enables a quick exit from a marriage. (Finding fault 2017)

What Resolution members think of current law (2018 Resolution survey)

• 90% say current law makes it harder to reduce conflict between ex-partners.
• 67% say the current law makes it harder for separated parents to reach agreements.
• 80% feel the introduction of no fault divorce would help separating couples reach an agreement out of court.

For further information and advice regarding divorce or other family law matters, please contact our Head of Family Law, Joanna Toloczko on 020 3861 5155 or jtoloczko@meaby.co.uk