Member Article

Redcar solicitor urges MPs to back no-fault divorce bill

Cygnet Law, a Redcar-based solicitor which specialises in family law, has written to local MP Anna Turley to urge her and her colleagues to back the upcoming Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill.

The bill, which will allow couples to divorce without assigning blame to either party, had its second reading in parliament in June, and many legal professionals are backing the move as they feel it will lead to less pressure on the family during what is already a difficult time.

At present, in order for a couple to divorce prior to two years’ separation, one must agree that they have done something ‘wrong’ to cause the divorce, such as unreasonable behaviour or adultery. This assignment of blame can sometimes cause animosity, as one person needs to accept the role of the party at fault.

The Redcar law firm hopes that Anna Turley MP will back the bill at its next reading, ensuring it becomes law sooner rather than later.

The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill has been widely supported by MPs, legal professionals, and the general population. A recent YouGov poll found that 69% of people asked, support the introduction of an option for no-fault divorces, while 71% agreed that no-fault divorce is urgently needed to protect the long-term interests of children.

Janet Ford, a family law solicitor at Cygnet Law who holds Children Law Accreditation, said: “We’ve written to Anna Turley MP in the hopes that she will back the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill, and help make no-fault divorces a reality.

“We work with many couples who, for whatever reason, have decided that life will be better for both themselves and any children they have if they are divorced. This situation is difficult enough in itself and forcing them to assign blame can add an extra layer of stress, which is unnecessary.

“Anna has an excellent record of voting for policies that actively help families, particularly children, and I’m certain this will be no exception.

“The team at Cygnet Law would, of course, be happy to sit down with her and discuss the bill and the impact it passing would have on families in her constituency.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by News Gathering .