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Home / Expertise / Services / Individuals / Family and Matrimonial / No Fault Divorce Solicitors
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No Fault Divorce Solicitors

No fault divorce means an end to the “blame game”, with no more need for one spouse to take responsibility for the failure of a marriage during divorce proceedings. Our expert, no fault divorce solicitors can help you to correctly navigate the new rules and assist with decisions around finances and children.

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While the new rules introduced by the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 should make getting a divorce more straightforward, that does not mean that getting a divorce will be easy or that it is a good idea to do it yourself without expert help.

It is vital to make sure you complete every stage of the process correctly and promptly to avoid unnecessary delays, especially as there is now, for the first time, a minimum 6-month timeline for getting a divorce.

The process for separating finances and making arrangements for children remains unchanged and this is often the most complex part of a divorce, with huge potential ramifications for your future and that of your loved ones. The right legal advice and support can, therefore, be absolutely critical.

At BDB Pitmans, we specialise in complex and high value divorce.

Whatever your situation we will work closely with you to identify what you need to achieve and make sure we get you there the right way. We are experts in methods such as arbitration and private financial dispute resolution, which can be very effective in achieving quick results.

To find out more about no fault divorce, you can find the following resources on this page:

  • What is no fault divorce?
  • Step-by-step guide to getting a no fault divorce
  • How much does a no fault divorce cost?
  • Key changes to UK divorce law in 2022
  • No fault divorce insights from our team

To discuss how our no fault divorce solicitors can help you, please get in touch.

Our clients

Our divorce lawyers act for clients across the country and from a range of backgrounds. We are well known for our skills and experience in high value and complex financial matters, as well as international child law matters.

Our no fault divorce lawyers can advise on

  • Divorce and separation
  • Dissolution of civil partnerships
  • Divorce financial settlements
  • Arrangements for children
  • Relocation with children
  • Financial claims on behalf of children
  • Child maintenance
  • International divorce
  • Divorce and domestic abuse

Why choose BDB Pitmans for no fault divorce advice?

Independently accredited expertise

We are ranked by leading client guide the Legal 500, and our team includes qualified mediators and collaborative lawyers, reflecting our strong skills in non-confrontational divorce. We also have a number of expert litigators in house, so can offer exceptional support no matter how your divorce proceeds.

Decades of combined experience

No divorce is alike, so it is important to get tailored guidance to match your exact situation and the outcome you want to achieve. Our divorce lawyers have wide ranging expertise, so can provide the right support for any scenario, no matter how complex or unusual.

Fast results when you need them

It is normal to want your divorce to be over with as quickly as possible. To this end, we focus on working proactively and efficiently to avoid any unnecessary delays, while having the expertise and flexible approach needed to unblock any issues that could hold up your divorce.

A partner-led service

Your case will always be overseen by a highly qualified and experienced partner with extensive specialist experience in divorce law. This allows us to guarantee the best possible advice for even the most complex matters.

What is no fault divorce?

The term ‘no fault divorce’ refers to the fact that, from 6 April 2022, there is no need for either party to take the blame for the end of the marriage as part of divorce proceedings.

This is a significant change to the previous divorce rules, under which the person applying for a divorce needed to give one of five reasons for the failure of the marriage, three of which required them to blame their spouse and the other two required waiting years before being able to apply for divorce.

Under the new divorce rules, introduced by the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, all that is needed for the divorce application is a statement that the marriage has “irretrievably broken down”. A couple can also now apply jointly for the divorce, or one spouse can apply alone.

Step-by-step guide to getting a no fault divorce

The process for getting a divorce under the new rules will be slightly different depending on whether both spouses are applying together (known as a ‘joint application’) or one spouse is applying alone (known as a ‘sole application’).

The joint divorce application process is:

  1. Complete a divorce application, including a “statement of irretrievable breakdown” (this is normally now done online but can be done on paper if required).
  2. Submit the divorce application to the court.
  3. The court will officially start the divorce.
  4. 20 weeks after the court starts the divorce, it will issue a Conditional Order confirming that there is no reason the divorce cannot go ahead.
  5. You will then need to wait a minimum of a further 6 weeks to apply for the Final Order (the court order that legally ends your marriage).
  6. The court will issue the Final Order, and your marriage will be legally ended.

The sole divorce application process is:

  1. One spouse (the ‘applicant’) applies for the divorce, including a “statement of irretrievable breakdown”.
  2. The court will send a copy of the application to the other spouse (known as the ‘respondent’).
  3. The respondent completes an ‘acknowledgement of service’ confirming that they have received the application.
  4. After the mandatory 20-week reflection period, the applicant can apply for the Conditional Order.
  5. The court will review the application and, as long as there are no issues, grant the Conditional Order.
  6. 6 weeks after the Conditional Order is granted, the applicant can apply for the Final Order.
  7. The court will issue the Final Order, and the marriage will be legally ended.

How much does a no fault divorce cost?

You will need to pay a standard application fee to start divorce proceedings. This is currently £593 as of March 2022. This is a single fee payable for the divorce, rather than one that both you and your spouse need to pay, although it is not unusual for this fee to be shared equally between spouses.

If you seek legal support (which we strongly recommend), then there will be additional legal fees to pay. The level of these fees will depend on exactly what sort of assistance you need (e.g. help to separate finances and make child arrangements) and the level of expertise required.

At BDB Pitmans, we work hard to keep our fees competitive and will provide a realistic estimate of fees following your initial consultation with our team. Where appropriate, we may be able to offer flexible funding options, such as deferred fee agreements, to help with your budgeting.

Key changes to UK divorce law in 2022

Under the terms of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, the following key changes will be introduced to UK divorce law from 6 April 2022:
  1. There will be no need to give a reason for the marriage ending when applying for a divorce.
  2. It will no longer be possible for someone to oppose divorce proceedings initiated by their spouse (except in very limited circumstances, such as if the English courts do not have the jurisdiction to deal with the divorce).
  3. It will now be possible for couples to apply for a divorce together (although it will still be possible for one spouse to make a sole application if this is preferrable).
  4. There will be a new 20-week reflection period before the Conditional Order is granted. Combined with the 6-week wait following the granting of the Conditional Order before the Final Order can be granted, this means a divorce will now take a minimum of 26 weeks (6 months).
  5. Key terminology will be updated to plain English e.g. ‘decree nisi’ becomes Conditional Order and ‘decree absolute’ becomes Final Order.

Speak to our no fault divorce lawyers

To discuss how our divorce solicitors can help you with the new no fault divorce rules or any other aspect of divorce and separation, please get in touch.

Our Offices

London
One Bartholomew Close
London
EC1A 7BL

Cambridge
50/60 Station Road
Cambridge
CB1 2JH

Reading
The Anchorage, 34 Bridge Street
Reading RG1 2LU

Southampton
Grosvenor House, Grosvenor Square
Southampton SO15 2BE

 

Reading
The Anchorage, 34 Bridge Street
Reading RG1 2LU

Southampton
Grosvenor House, Grosvenor Square
Southampton SO15 2BE

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© BDB Pitmans 2024. One Bartholomew Close, London EC1A 7BL - T +44 (0)345 222 9222

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