Good Divorce Week (28 Nov – 2 Dec) is an annual campaign run by Resolution raising awareness of all the different ways families can resolve their disputes away from Court.

Divorces are on the increase again with the most recent statistics showing 113,000 divorces in 2021 – up nearly 10% on the previous year – and the impact on wait times is stark. On average it now takes 52 weeks to conclude divorce proceedings.

In addition, official figures show that while private children cases were down by 7% during the last year, they are taking on average six weeks longer to reach a conclusion. And estimates suggest it takes nearly two years to resolve financial matters.

That leaves many families in limbo for over a year. That has a knock-on effect on children’s schooling and family finances.

Resolution surveyed its members on the current court backlogs and found:

  • 20% said court delays caused clients to rely on benefits
  • 34% said they’d referred a client to a counsellor or therapist to help them cope with the stress of ongoing court delays
  • 90% said court backlogs were causing additional and unnecessary stress and pressure for clients

Machins Solicitors offer free 30-minute consultations every Tuesday from 2pm-6pm on all aspects of family law enabling families get the benefit of early professional advice.

To make an appointment please contact our Family Law team 01442 872311 or get in touch on [email protected].

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