A Bill to make provision for the dissolution of a marriage or civil partnership when each party has separately made a declaration that the marriage or civil partnership has irretrievably broken down without a requirement by either party to satisfy the Court of any other facts; and for connected purposes.
House of Commons
13 May 2016
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
This Bill would let couples end a marriage or civil partnership by each person making a separate declaration that the relationship has irretrievably broken down, without needing to prove any other facts to the court. In practice, there would be no fault or grounds to establish beyond the two declarations, making the process simpler and potentially less confrontational for those involved.
The bill is currently at the 2nd Reading stage in the House of Commons. It originated in the Commons, with its first Reading taking place in October 2015.
Generated 21 February 2026
13 Oct 2015
The 2015-16 session of Parliament has ended and this Bill will make no further progress.
This Bill was introduced to Parliament on 13 October 2015 under the Ten Minute Rule. This allows an MP to make his or her case for a new bill in a speech lasting up to ten minutes. An opposing speech may also be made before the House decides whether or not the bill should be introduced. If the MP is successful the bill is taken to have had its first reading.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
