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06 April 2022
Issue: 7974 / Categories: Legal News , Family , Divorce , Profession
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No more Owens v Owens?

Tini Owens, whose high-profile divorce went all the way to the Supreme Court, has welcomed the new ‘no-fault’ process

She was denied a divorce since her husband, Hugh contested her petition and she was unable to show unreasonable behaviour, in Owens v Owens [2018] UKSC 41 [2018] 4 All ER 721.

Owens said: ‘No one should have to remain in a loveless marriage or endure a long, drawn out and expensive court battle to end it.’

Owens’ solicitor, Simon Beccle, partner at Payne Hicks Beach, welcomed the change but warned the reform did not introduce ‘quick divorce’.

‘The new law introduces a minimum period of 20 weeks between the start of the divorce proceedings and the application for a conditional order to provide spouses with a meaningful period of reflection and the chance to reconsider,’ he said. 

‘There will also be a six-week period between the conditional order and a final order of divorce.’ Therefore, divorce would take at least six months compared to three to four months under the old law.

Issue: 7974 / Categories: Legal News , Family , Divorce , Profession
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Clarke Willmott—Anita Rasaratnam

Clarke Willmott—Anita Rasaratnam

Clarke Willmott strengthens social housing development offering with senior London appointment

Trowers & Hamlins—David Meecham

Trowers & Hamlins—David Meecham

Trowers strengthens Birmingham real estate team with partner hire

Blake Morgan—Jennifer Ray & Louise Culleton

Blake Morgan—Jennifer Ray & Louise Culleton

Blake Morgan expands private client and regulatory teams with new legal directors

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The Senior Courts Costs Office has clarified that judges conducting detailed assessment proceedings cannot order security for costs—a ruling that may leave successful parties exposed to further litigation expense
Rejecting a generous settlement can prove an expensive mistake, as two recent high-profile cases demonstrate
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) continues to show that failing to disclose regulatory issues can attract harsher consequences than the original misconduct itself
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