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Written question asked by Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 28 August 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 September 2026. It was answered by Jake Richards (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 September 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Divorce: Legal Costs

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment the Department has made of the adequacy of the rules governing legal costs in divorce proceedings involving people with (a) serious and (b) deteriorating health conditions.

Answer

The Department has not made a specific assessment of the adequacy of rules in relation to people with serious or deteriorating health conditions. The rules regarding costs in divorce proceedings and financial remedy proceedings on divorce are governed by Part 28 of the Family Procedure Rule and apply in respect of all litigants, including those who have serious and deteriorating health conditions.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that legal costs in financial proceedings on divorce are proportionate, including for disabled people and those with serious long-term health conditions. That is one of the reasons why the Government has recently consulted on reforms to the law of financial provision on divorce to make the law clearer and more accessible, to reduce litigation and costs spent by separating couples. A clearer framework could make it easier for divorcing couples to resolve finances without going to court, helping to avoid disproportionate costs.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
24857
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Divorce Legal costs
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk