§ Chris RuaneTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the average(a) time to process and (b) cost to public funds of a fault free divorce in each of the last 10 years. [24968]
§ Mr. WillsThere are five categories under which a decree for divorce can be obtained, only two of which could be deemed fault free (two years' separation where the respondent consents and five years' separation without consent). The table shows the number of divorce petitions issued in each of the last 10 years, for which figures are available. The speed at which an individual divorce is processed is in the hands of the parties and/or their legal representatives. There is no system currently in place to measure either the average time to process or the cost to public funds of a fault free divorce.
Divorce petitions issued per year Year Divorce petitions issued 1991 182,310 1992 192,391 1993 187,357 1994 180,690 1995 178,007 1996 181,502 1997 165,350 1998 167,265 1999 164,951 2000 160,097