History of Divorce in the UK

Henry VIII introduced divorce to the United Kingdom in the 16th century. When he was unable to obtain an annulment from the Catholic Church for his marriage to Catherine of Aragon he took matters into his own hands, establishing the Church of England and himself as Supreme Head of the Church, giving him unprecedented control over religious matters.

This granted him the power to divorce and remarry. Henry VIII’s actions laid the groundwork for divorce laws in the UK, shaping its history and legal framework.

The first recorded divorce in England took place in 1670, between Lord Roos and Lady Anne Pierrepont. Lady Anne had left her husband, Lord Roos, and started living with Sir John Packington. Lord Roos sued Packington for adultery and succeeded, resulting in the annulment of his marriage to Lady Anne. This divorce case set a precedent that allowed wealthy individuals to obtain divorces, but it was not until the 19th century that divorce became more widely available.

The 19th century marked a significant shift in divorce law in England. The Matrimonial Causes Act of 1857 was a landmark legislation that allowed individuals to obtain a divorce through the civil courts rather than solely relying on the church. This act introduced new grounds for divorce, including adultery, cruelty, desertion, and incurable insanity, making it relatively easier for couples to obtain a divorce. However, even with this legal reform, divorce was still not easily accessible to everyone, and it remained a privilege for the upper classes. Women, in particular, faced significant challenges in obtaining a divorce, as they had to prove additional grounds such as cruelty and desertion, compared to men who only needed to prove adultery.

Over the years, several landmark cases and legislative changes have shaped the history of divorce in the UK. In 1923, a notable case known as the “Russell v. Russell” divorce case allowed for the recognition of women’s right to petition for divorce on the grounds of their husband’s cruelty, marking a significant milestone in women’s rights in divorce. In 1937, the law was further amended to allow for “mental cruelty” as a ground for divorce, expanding the scope of divorce law. In 1969, the Divorce Reform Act introduced “irretrievable breakdown of marriage” as the sole ground for divorce, shifting from fault-based to no-fault divorce, making divorce more accessible and less contentious.