DIY divorces ‘cause gridlock in courts’

A SHARP rise in the number of divorcing couples representing themselves in court is causing a “backlog” of cases, lawyers have warned.

An increase of about 20 per cent in partners choosing to deal with divorce themselves, such as Hollywood actors Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, has been seen over the last 12 months, say family lawyers in Britain.

Affleck and Garner started proceedings last month, with both parties citing “in pro persona” – a term signifying their decision not to appoint lawyers.

In the UK, an online divorce service has been piloted with favourable results, according to HM Courts and Tribunals Service.

The service, announced last year by Sir James Munby, head of the Family Division of the High Court, has been running since January.

Feedback for the scheme has been positive with new features added, including online payment. The move aims to save time and stress for thousands of people.

Family judges and lawyers predict digital divorces will increase calls for the scrapping of fault-based grounds for divorce.

Issues such as children and finances will still have to go through mediation or before a court.

Lyn Ayrton, from family law firm Lake Legal, said: “Following the removal of legal aid in most types of family law cases four years ago, self-representation has steadily increased in childrelated and financial cases, leading to many divorce courts grinding to a halt as a result.

“More people are trying to represent themselves in court, but they don’t have the expertise and technical knowledge of lawyers.”