Summary
The Department of Finance is carrying out a public consultation to seek your views on how our current laws on divorce and on the dissolution of civil partnerships might be amended.
Documents
Consultation description
This page provides details of the Department’s consultation on how our current laws on divorce and on the dissolution of civil partnerships might be amended.
Divorce and the dissolution of a civil partnership can be a stressful and sometimes acrimonious process both for the parties involved and for those close to them, particularly their dependent children. Moreover, stress, animosity and other such ill effects can be lasting. This is the principal reason the law of divorce and dissolution is under review-to identify possible changes that aim to make the experience of divorce and dissolution less challenging and potentially damaging for all concerned.
This consultation explains the background to divorce and dissolution in the North, in neighbouring jurisdictions, previous reviews, the NI Assembly debate, previous stakeholder engagement, and policy options.
We welcome your views.
The closing date for responses is Friday 26 September 2025.