A new act, known as "No-Fault Divorce" means that as of April 6, 2022, couples who are married or in a civil partnership can get a divorce without having to assign blame. Until this week in England and Wales, unless someone could prove there was adultery or unreasonable behaviour, the only way to obtain a divorce without the spouse's agreement was to live apart for five years.
Campaigners had argued the "outdated" system was in need of an overhaul for some time, with research showing 65 per cent of people who took the blame for divorce in order to legally end their marriage claimed it wasn't their fault. They say the new law will help couples more forward without unnecessary conflict.
Elaine Parker, 42, who was engaged to a man she met on Plenty of Fish before he became abusive, has welcomed the change to the "antiquated" divorce laws, saying it will allow men and women in violent marriages to leave without having to make allegations about their spouse.
