vitally important, but we must never allow a situation where our laws exacerbate conflict and harm a child’s upbringing. By sparing individuals the need to play the blame game, we are stripping out the needless antagonism this creates so families can better move on with their lives,” he says. What is the current divorce system? The current divorce system in England and Wales requires one spouse to initiate the process of filing for divorce and, in the process, make an accusation about the other’s conduct. They can choose from one of three reasons – adultery, unreasonable behaviour or desertion – but fundamentally the system is fault-based and requires evidence of guilt from one party. If the couple isn’t able to do so, they face two years of living apart in a ‘separation’ period before the marriage can be legally dissolved, even if the decision is mutual. And if one partner contests the divorce then this period .