New laws allowing for quickie divorce have come into force in England and Wales, but pro-marriage campaigners say it is a ‘huge mistake’ which will cause more family breakups.
The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 came into effect on 6 April. Under the new law, couples can divorce in six months without having to give a reason and a spouse cannot contest the decision.
Previously, anyone wanting to divorce their spouse had to prove their marriage had irretrievably broken down through either adultery, unreasonable behaviour, or separation for two years with their spouse’s consent, or five years without.
‘The government is making a huge mistake ploughing on with these reckless changes – a mistake that will be measured not just by cold official statistics, but by broken families and ruined lives. We hope they think again.’
