Slater and Gordon have cut their petitioner fixed fee divorce from £1,020 to £540 in a move that comes just weeks before the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act is due to come into force on 6th April.
Speaking to The Gazette, Georgina Chase, head of Slater Gordon’s family practice, said she worries that the new rules will lead to couples finalising their divorce online without receiving legal advice. The cut to their fees was so that couples can access legal advice as soon as possible in an effort to be ready to present their petition to the court by the time the new rules come into effect. Chase continued:
“Clients are being advised that they have a choice. If they wish to divorce under the current law, their applications must be submitted via the online portal by 4pm on 31st March. However, if they wish to apply for divorce following the introduction of no-fault divorce, they can wait until 6th April. The new price for the fixed fee divorce applies from 28th February, regardless of whether the divorce is issued under the current law or the new law.”
The Act will reform the divorce process, aiming to reduce the potential for conflict amongst divorcing couples by:
- removing the ability to make allegations about the conduct of a spouse
- allowing couples to end their marriage jointly
It also introduces a minimum period of 20 weeks between the start of proceedings and application for conditional order. This provides couples with a meaningful period of reflection and the chance to reconsider. Where divorce is inevitable, it enables couples to cooperate and plan for the future.
It will no longer be possible to contest a divorce, except on limited grounds including jurisdiction. The new rules will also be accompanied by a new online divorce service.