Divorce without the need for a courtroom blame game could be on the cards after the Attorney-General tabled proposed legislation in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Kathy Lynn Simmons said that the “no fault” divorce proposal was “the first part of a raft of reforms” that would allow either party in a marriage to apply for a divorce without the “unhelpful blaming and shaming” required at present.

Ms Simmons added that the process as it stood was “not at all straightforward” and could be “quite intimidating”.

But she said a statement of irrevocable breakdown would be accepted by the courts without having to “delve” into the privacy of a couple, if the proposed legislation was backed by Parliament.

MPs heard the amendments would remove structural hurdles to a divorce and simplify the language for the procedure.

Ms Simmons said: “The Government is mindful that the present Bill prescribes measures that are expected to reduce conflict between parties and by doing so will reduce harm and trauma caused to children who live through a parental divorce.

“Other areas where we are instituting practical changes to the process include establishing an easily accessible online platform to facilitate divorce and separation filings.

“This platform will have informational content to assist parties with understanding their rights, obligations and the judicial process.”

Download PDF File

No-fault Divorce Statement.pdf

· To read the minister’s statement in full, click on the PDF under “Related Media”.