Tech enabling multiple affairs, say lawyers

PLAYING away from home used to be a case of one affair conducted in secret. But technology means one is no longer enough – and lawyers say a number of divorce cases involve partners embroiled with as many as five others.

Such trysts can be mostly or entirely conducted online, with flirty text messages, Facebook posts or even LinkedIn messages proving many an adulterer’s downfall. Law firms say they have seen a rising number of such cases.

Abigail Lowther, associate solicitor with Hall Brown Family Law, said that some of her female clients discovered that their other halves had had more than five flings. She said that infidelity was “skyrocketing” compared to other types of divorce-related behaviour.

Joanne Edwards, partner and head of family at Forsters, said she had experienced a “marked increase in infidelity as a result of technology”. Others warned that such affairs are more easily discovered because of the digital footprint they leave behind.

Joanna Pratt, partner and head of family at Thomson Snell & Passmore said: “Technology has also made it easier for illicit liaisons to be uncovered.”

However, lawyers warned that such evidence would not be enough to petition for divorce on the grounds of adultery. “Finding suggestive exchanges does not amount to enough proof to substantiate a claim of adultery.”