At Consilia Legal, we have a team of specialist family law and divorce solicitors across the UK, who are experts in the field of divorce and separation.
We understand the difficulties that a relationship breakdown can cause. Our aim is to work with you to achieve the best outcome for you and your family in the most pragmatic and cost-effective manner.
You can feel reassured that you are not just another case or a number. We pride ourselves on our proactive approach and excellent communication. This is reflected in our outstanding reviews, left independently by previous divorce and family law clients. Read some of our outstanding, 5 star Google Reviews or our excellent reviews on ReviewSolicitors.co.uk.
The Divorce Process
No Fault Divorce – From April 2022, the new law on no-fault divorce came into force, creating a more amicable approach to divorce proceedings. The no-fault divorce is a divorce within which the dissolution of a marriage does not require a showing of wrongdoing by either party.
Grounds for Divorce – The sole ground for divorce is irretrievable breakdown of the relationship.
Application For Divorce - You can make a joint application for divorce with your spouse, where you both agree that the relationship has irretrievably broken down. Alternatively, you or your spouse can make a sole application for divorce. A valid divorce cannot be contested by either party unless it is on the ground of jurisdiction.
Time limits – There is a minimum time period of 20 weeks from the start of the divorce proceedings to when the Conditional Order is made. In addition, there is a further 6 week period between the Conditional Order (formerly Decree Nisi) and when the Final Order (formerly Decree Absolute) can be made. The Final Order dissolves the marriage.
Divorce proceedings take at least 6 months from application to conclusion.
During the period between the Conditional order and Final order, the finances associated with the marriage should be concluded by way of a Financial Order.
It is important to be aware that the process of divorce simply brings your marriage to a legal end. It does not automatically resolve issues concerning the care of any minor dependent children and/or financial issues associated with your relationship break down.
Costs – A court fee is payable when applying for a divorce. See the current fee on GOV.UK. Our charges are £750 plus VAT.
Financial Matters in the event of divorce
The act of getting divorced however does not deal with financial or child-related issues and specialist advice is needed to ensure that you are fully informed as to your legal rights and obligations. For more information see our pages on Finances & Children.
Family/Divorce Law Awards & Accreditations
We have been finalists in a number of awards, reflecting our dedication to the service we provide in family law and divorce. We have been named as finalists in the Yorkshire Legal Awards in the category of Family law and also in the Lexis Nexis Family Law Awards too. We won the Family Law Wellbeing Award in 2021 and the Family Workplace of the Year award at the LexisNexis Family Law Awards 2025. In 2023 we have also been named as finalists in the Yorkshire Legal Awards in the Family Law category.
We are also incredibly proud to say that we are again ranked in the Legal 500, in the category of Family Law with an exceptional write-up.
Quote From Legal 500
“At Consilia Legal, the family offering is led by the ‘dynamic and innovative’ Laura Clapton. Working between Leeds and Harrogate, she oversees a team viewed as the ‘go-to family law mediation service in Leeds and West Yorkshire’. In particular, the boutique practice handles divorce/civil partnership dissolution, financial remedy and matters falling within the parameters of the Children Act. In addition, the firm’s expertise extends to the complexities of pre/post nuptial agreements and TOLATA applications.”
