In a written answer to a question posed by Conservative MP Jane Stevenson, published yesterday (June 7), Chris Philp, parliamentary under secretary of state at the Ministry of Justice, said the original implementation date had been “ambitious”, although the Bill received Royal Assent in June 2020.

This is disappointing news for the many couples waiting to divorce without making allegations about the other's behaviour. At a time when divorce needs to be less acrimonious, many who have decided to separate during the pandemic will have to rely on claims based on adultery or unreasonable behaviour unless they want to wait for the new law to be implemented.

At ACS our approach is to reduce conflict and focus on the wellbeing of any children - this is a blow to us too although we will continue to avoid unnecessary acrimony.