Divorce reform and the Video Assistant Referee

Divorce reform was long-campaigned for, and long-awaited.

Earlier this year, supporters of law change believed the waiting game was over, and that the campaign had been won.

The previous government, under Theresa May, promised to leave an indelible mark on family law history when it brought forward the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill.

Yet its successor administration, completely driven by Brexit and associated internal party struggles, has ensured that entry to the history books is at best delayed.

With the decision to prorogue Parliament, the Prime Minister halted a Bill that would have made life so much easier for couples who just want to get on with their divorce, making a fresh start as quickly and painlessly as possible.

Professionals across the whole of our mediator network were delighted to finally see the introduction of this vital new legislation into Parliament. Having passed its second reading in the House of Commons it moved to Report Stage.

But its further progress has been put into ‘freeze-frame’ mode by the Prime Minister’s controversial and contentious decision.

And so the waiting goes on.

Read the full article here.