The Bill received support from all sides of the House. Several amendments were tabled but either withdrawn or defeated. Once the law is in force, couples seeking divorce will no longer need to assign blame.
Family lawyers’ group Resolution’s national chair Margaret Heathcote said the new law would mean lawyers are ‘better able to support couples to resolve matters as constructively and amicably as possible, minimising the impact on any children they may have’.
Former chair and long-time campaigner Nigel Shepherd said: ‘This is the biggest reform of divorce laws in England and Wales in over 50 years, demonstrating just how outdated and old-fashioned fault-based divorce is.
‘We worked closely with the Ministry of Justice on this Bill and look forward to continuing to work with them to implement the new law as soon as possible so that we can start helping separating families more effectively.’
Law Society president Simon Davis also welcomed the ‘long overdue’ reform.
‘We have long argued the notice period should begin when the divorce application is received by the respondent rather than when the divorce is applied for―ensuring both partners are on the same page from the start and have sufficient time to seek the legal and financial advice they need.’
Emma Collins, partner at national law firm Weightmans, said: ‘Divorce law has long since been out of date with the times in which we live and hampered swift and cost-effective settlements. As a result, family lawyers have had to find constructive ways of moving cases forward despite of the law rather than with its assistance.
‘Reform to bring the law in line with society and day to day legal practice is long overdue and we welcome an end to spouses having to apportion blame if they wish to divorce, which will inevitably reduce unnecessary conflict between separating couples.’
