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Use Cases
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Resources
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Pricing
1857
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Men could divorce an unfaithful wife. Women had to prove cruelty or another offence as well as adultery. Divorce was very expensive
1921
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1923
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Both men and women
1937
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Grounds now included desertion and cruelty
1949
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This made divorce more affordable. If you couldn't afford it solicitor fees were paid and legal advoce was free
1961
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1969
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Came into effect 1971. The sole ground for divorce was the irretrievable breakdown of marriage. This had to be established through proof of unreasonable behaviour, desertion, adultery or separation with or without consent. Divorce was available 2 years after the agreed separation but 5 if only one spouse wanted it
1984
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A divorce could now be petitioned for a year after marriage instead of 3 years
1996
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Encouraged couples to have mediation but divorce was allowed after a "period of reflection"
2004
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Civil partnerships could now divorce using the same grounds as married couples
2007
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The principle of equality counts so following divorce asset splitting starts at 50/50