More changes to come on the Family Law front?

As the Children and Families Act 2014 continues to bed in it may be that there are more changes to family law practice and procedure on the horizon. A top family Judge has urged further radical reform of the Family Courts. One area of family practice under review is divorce law which has already seen some quite big changes under the Children and Families Act 2014. It has been suggested that “fault” based grounds (adultery and unreasonable behaviour) might be removed in favour of “irretrievable breakdown” as the sole ground. This would be with a view to trying to take the acrimony out of the process and make it simpler for people. There has also been some discussion as to whether the divorce process should be removed from the Courts and given to Registrars in a Registry Office.

Whilst any attempt to remove some of the distress and acrimony of the divorce process should be encouraged it is questionable to what extent, in reality, people will benefit from this. One school of thought has raised concern that the divorce process could be made too easy and just another thing to cross off the shopping list. A passing of the divorce process to a Registrar would also raise questions and concerns as to what recourse people would have to sorting out their financial issues since currently, in many cases, finances are sorted out under the umbrella of the divorce proceedings where a Judge is able to decide when the parties are unable to agree.

Please contact us on 01246 555 610 if you wish to discuss a family problem. We offer a free initial 30 minute consultation.