Divorce Questions Answered – What are the grounds for a divorce or a civil partnership dissolution?

Under English Law, there is only ONE ground for the dissolution of a marriage/civil partnership; it has irretrievably broken down.

In order to demonstrate that the marriage/civil partnership has irretrievably broken down it must be proven by choosing one of 5 FACTS (or grounds) for a divorce or 4 FACTS for a civil partnership dissolution.

These are as follows:

• For a Married Couple

1. Divorce based upon adultery and intolerability (fact A);
2. Divorce based upon behaviour (fact B);
3. Divorce based upon desertion (fact C);
4. Divorce based upon 2 years’ separation with consent (fact D);
5. Divorce based upon 5 years’ separation (fact E).

• For a Civil Partnership/Same-Sex Marriage

1. Dissolution based upon behaviour (fact B);
2. Dissolution based upon desertion (fact C);
3. Dissolution based upon 2 years’ separation with consent (fact D);
4. Dissolution based upon 5 years’ separation (fact E).

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