Family justice professionals expressed strong support for reform during a public consultation, according to a government press release, and the existing 50-year-old laws will now be updated with new legislation to be introduced to UK Parliament.
Experts say current rules can make conflict worse, reduce the chances of reconciliation, and damage children who are stuck in the middle, according to the release.
“Hostility and conflict between parents leave their mark on children and can damage their life chances,” said Justice Secretary David Gauke.
“While we will always uphold the institution of marriage, it cannot be right that our outdated law creates or increases conflict between divorcing couples.”
The existing law obliges couples to show that their marriage is irretrievable and demands evidence of “unreasonable behavior” or years of separation.
This is the case even when a couple has mutually decided to split up.
Gauke called the current system an “unnecessary blame game” and vowed to end it for good, according to the release.
A new law could replace the evidence requirement with a statement of irretrievable breakdown, remove the ability of one partner to contest a divorce, and introduce the possibility of a joint application for divorce.
Source : Nbcnewyork
