Figures released
by the Office for National Statistics indicate that the number of divorces
increased by 4.9% last year. The increase is only marginal; 119,589 in 2010, up
from 113,949 in 2009, it signals the first increase in divorce rates since 2003. Even with this increase, the figure remains
far below that of 2003, which reflected 153,065 break ups.
Ceri Price, head
of Family First at HardingEvans
Solicitors, Newport, and a Partner with over 25 years of experience, puts it
down to a number of factors:
"Undoubtedly the economic climate continues to have an
impact. Parties may have difficulty in unlocking equity because they cannot
sell their houses, and are therefore trying to service unsecured debts, whilst
those with teenage families see the rise in university costs as a significant
enough reason to remain together.
"Secondly, without a doubt the number of couples
choosing to marry has reduced. Many
believe that marriage is ‘just a piece of paper’, which of course is far from
the truth. I have lost count of the number of clients who falsely believe in
the rights of the ‘common law wife’, when in reality, there are no such
rights. Compare this with divorce, where
the remedies are set out in statute and are designed to be helpful and
flexible.
"The most significant increase in divorce I’ve
witnessed, demographically, is among more mature couples, whose children have
left home. They very often find themselves sitting on a more secure capital base,
and with the benefit of a healthy pension fund which needs to be shared.”
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Notes for editors:
Ceri is Head of the Family Department
and is regarded as one of Wales' leading family lawyers and been consistently
highly rated by Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500 directory. Ceri has
substantial experience including dealing with high value divorces and
separations. Ceri is a member of the Law Society Family Law Panel.