The number of divorce cases coming before the courts shot up last year in the biggest increase for 15 years, figures show. Divorce petitions – the first stage in the process – rose by 8 per cent, or nearly 9,000, compared with 2017. There were 118,141 divorce petitions put before courts last year compared with 109,353 in 2017, the Ministry of Justice figures show. The number of divorce cases coming before the courts shot up last year in the biggest increase for 15 years (stock image)However, the number of divorces recorded as completed by the courts last year fell below 100,000, to 98,919, for the first time since 1971. Ministers acknowledge that the reforms are likely to lead to an increase in divorce, at least in the short term.

Source: Daily Mail March 31, 2019 21:00 UTC