The government has extended an online divorce pilot to allow users to make fully digital divorce applications.
The pilot scheme, launched last year, initially required users to print off the divorce application form and then post this to the nearest family court serving as a ‘divorce centre’. Now users can submit the form online, as well as supporting documents, and also pay the accompanying fees.
More than 130 fully online applications have already been made.
Susan Acland-Hood is the Chief Executive of Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). She explained the benefits already seen by family court officials.
“These measures are drastically cutting the number of applications returned because of errors – streamlining the process and ensuring we are best supporting people going through a difficult and often painful time.”
A further development of the system will allow solicitors to participate.
