DIVORCE PROCEDURE

How long will it take?

As stated earlier the whole procedure may take 3 or 4 months. This is on the basis that that both parties deal with their respective parts efficiently. So for example the Respondent takes 3 weeks to return the Acknowledgement form to the Court instead of returning it within 1 week then the whole timetable will be put back by 3 weeks. Or if he/she does not return the form at all then of course there will be the delay caused by having to arrange for personal service. There are also other factors such as where the respondent is living overseas the time for returning the Acknowledgement is extents to 30 days. 

Although most cases end up being uncontested due to the costs sometimes considerable delay of several weeks/months can still be caused by a respondent who initially goes through the motions of contesting the divorce. 

There is a compulsory 6 week gap between the decree nisi and decree absolute so that the decree absolute can only be applied for after the expiry of 6 weeks from the decree nisi. This period accounts for a significant part of the timetable but an application can be made to expedite the decree absolute in some cases which are urgent.  

Important 

You must be aware that you are entitled to cease the proceedings at any time up until the Decree Nisi and in some circumstances until the Decree Absolute. Once the Decree Absolute is granted you will be finally divorced.