Quickie divorces scrapped in small print of new UK law meant to ‘liberalise’ marriage dissolution

“Quickie divorces” are to be abolished in the UK after a new law which states couples must wait at least six months before dissolving their marriage.

The Government has formally tabled legislation which introduces no-fault divorce for the first time, intended to make it easier for couples to end their marriages.

But lawyers accused ministers of a “hidden bombshell” by using the new law to impose stricter rules on how long it is necessary to wait before getting divorced.


There will be a minimum period of 20 weeks before a conditional “decree nisi” is granted, then another six weeks before the “degree absolute”. Currently 40 per cent of all divorces see a decree nisi granted within three months, meaning a large number of cases will take significantly longer under the new regime.

Emily Brand, a partner at law firm Boodle Hatfield, said: “This is going to more than double the amount of time it takes to complete those divorces where one party really needs to complete the divorce quickly.