Lowest Divorce rates in half a century
The Office for National Statistics has reported the latest figures for divorce in England and Wales.
The divorce numbers reflected same-sex and opposite-sex marriages, and were inclusive of all sexes and ages of people divorcing.
There were 80,057 divorces granted in England and Wales in 2022. This is a 29.5% decrease compared with 2021 (113,505 divorces) and the lowest number of divorces since 1971.
When it comes to civil partnerships, there were 525 civil partnership dissolutions (including same-sex and opposite-sex couples) in 2022; a 22.8% decrease compared with 2021 (680 dissolutions) and the lowest recorded since 2010.
Considering the reasons for this decrease in numbers, the Office for National Statistics have two reasons why divorce numbers may have fallen.
The Office for National Statistics states that the higher number of divorces and dissolutions granted in 2021 may partially reflect delays in the number and timing of divorces granted during 2020 when there was significant disruption and delays in family court procedures during the coronavirus pandemic. The ONS also reflect on the lower number of divorces in 2022 being due to the introduction of new minimum waiting periods. Introducing the divorce law reform now means that divorces applied for after 6 April 2022 may take longer to reach final order.
Costs and financial reasons
There is also the fact that house prices and mortgage rates, and legal costs of divorcing, simply mean many couples cannot afford to divorce and live separately.
When considering divorce or separation, looking at costs certainly needs to be a factor. Arbitration, family mediation and hybrid mediation are all cost-effective and proven ways to collaboratively reach agreements which feel fair and are binding. Dispute resolution need not necessarily mean ‘going to court’ with high costs and stress.
Mediation can be less stressful and far quicker than going to court, and cheaper than getting legal representation. It is a process which works, with agreement reached in over 70% of cases.
You can read more about family mediation through the Family Mediation Council website: https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/family-mediation/