A FAULTY DIVORCE.

The article focuses on the evolution of divorce law in England and Wales, culminating in the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, which removed all fault from divorce. It traces the history from the restrictive and unequal 1857 Matrimonial Causes Act—marked by sexual double standards and costly, lengthy procedures accessible mainly to the wealthy—through gradual reforms addressing these inequalities, including the removal of the sexual double standard in 1923 and the introduction of mutual consent divorce in 1969. The 2020 Act simplifies divorce by allowing either spouse to apply without delay or fault, reflecting shifts in societal attitudes and legal practice aimed at reducing conflict and protecting children. The article highlights ongoing debates about the moral implications of no-fault divorce and notes that collusion has been a persistent feature throughout divorce law history.