A marriage is a legally binding relationship, so if a couple no longer wants to be part of that relationship, they will need to consider getting divorced to break the legal ties to their spouse. The same is true of civil partnerships. To get a divorce, or dissolve a partnership, you need to have been married or civil partners for twelve months or more and be certain that your marriage or civil partnership has "irretrievably broken down". Until recently, to divorce, it has been necessary to prove the above by relying on one of 5 “facts” which include: adultery, unreasonable behaviour, desertion of 2 years, 2 years separation with consent or 5 years separation. (Please note that civil partners cannot rely upon adultery should they wish to dissolve their civil partnership). However as of 6th April 2022, it is open to parties, pursuant to The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, to apply to divorce or to dissolve a civil partnership on the basis of irretrievable breakdown in the absence of demonstrating fault. It is further open to parties to apply jointly or independently to divorce or dissolve a civil partnership. After a period of 20 weeks from the date the application for divorce (or dissolution) is issued, it will be possible to apply for a conditional divorce (or dissolution) order – formerly decree nisi within divorce proceedings (on the basis the Respondent has been given notice of the divorce proceedings and been served within 28 days of the above date). Upon a conditional divorce (or dissolution) order being granted, it will be possible for either party to apply for a final divorce (or dissolution) order – formerly decree absolute within divorce proceedings.