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Is It Time For Move Away From Fault Based Divorce?

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IS IT TIME TO MOVE AWAY FROM FAULT BASED DIVORCE?

The Current Divorce law

The Office of National Statistics reveals that in 2012 divorce rates in England and Wales fell from 119, 589 (2010) to 117,558 (2011). Under section 3 of The Matrimonial Causes Act (TMCA) 1973, a divorce petition cannot be given until a one year period (starting on the marriage date) has been completed. In any circumstances this rule cannot be waived. However a spouse can rely on incidents such as behavior (violence/severe distress), adultery etc. that occurred within the year when filing a petition (as soon as the year has ended).

Under TMCA 1973, section 1(1) either party must show to the court that ‘the marriage has broken down irretrievably’, the …show more content…

which gives resentment to the wife for many years (Birch v Birch). A medical condition which causes stress or pressure on the husband to nurse his spouse (negative behaviour) can also be a factor to be considered in a petition for a divorce (Thurlow v Thurlow). (b) The respondent has deserted the petitioner for a continuous period of at least two years immediately preceding the presentation of the petition.

Separation must have occurred. When separation is calculated the separation date itself cannot be included (usually when people are living apart). However, it can include living under the same roof but where the couple do not share a ‘common life’ together (Hopes v Hopes).

(c) The parties of the marriage lived apart for a continuous period of at least 2 years immediately preceding the presentation of the petition and the respondent consents to a decree.

Under section 2 (6) of TMCA 1973 unless the couple are living in the same household as each other, they are treated as living separately, hence only ‘physical separation’ does not conclude being separate (Santos v Santos).

(d) The parties to the marriage have lived apart for a continuous period of at least 5 years immediately preceding the presentation of the petition.

Criticisms of current system

It has been stated that “Britain’s fault based system is anachronistic and in need of reform”. Divorce enquiries are at a 10 year high and

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