New phase of online divorce pilot launched


We recently reported on the continuing delays at our local divorce centre in Bury St Edmunds where cases are taking between 9-12 months to be processed from start to finish.

In an effort to try and modernise the system, self represented parties (known as litigants in person) have been able to file their divorce petition online since 1 May 2018.

Now beta testing of the online divorce process has begun for professionals with four solicitors’ firms in England and Wales being selected to test the process. Initially the testing will apply only to the divorce petition itself but in the coming months the test will be extended to the entire process from the petition through until decree absolute online via the Her majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) portal.

The pilot will be rolled out to a further 16 firms in coming weeks before launching to the legal profession in the autumn.

Amanda Erskine is a solicitor in the Family department at Barker Gotelee Solicitors.

Suffolk Family Solicitors – for more information on our range of legal services, please call the team on 01473 611211 or email [email protected]