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Divorce law reforms - the need for changes to outdated legislature
1/04/2010

By Helen Marriott, head of Brabners Chaffe Street`s family law team in Liverpool.

With the nuclear family model no longer relevant to many people, attitudes to divorce in Britain are changing but outdated laws have failed to keep up.

A recent survey by Resolution, the association for family lawyers, found that 68 per cent of people believe that no-fault divorces, where neither party is blamed for the end of a marriage, should be introduced in the UK.

Working with couples here in Liverpool, it`s clear that the current requirement to apportion blame can cause resentment even in amicable separations and can have a negative impact on those involved, including children.

The Resolution survey also found growing demand for stronger and clearer rights for cohabiting couples. More people now chose not to marry despite their commitment to one another and many wrongly believe that common law spouse status affords them equal or similar rights to married couples. It doesn`t and whether it ought to needs to be debated.

Resolution is now calling for legislative changes and with an election approaching, support for families is a hot topic for all the parties vying for votes.

From a legal perspective, current divorce law in essence dates back to 1973 and it is high time it was reviewed and overhauled to better reflect modern families and attitudes.


For further information contact Helen Marriott at Brabners Chaffe Street on 0151 600 3050

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