The Grounds for Divorce Divorce Proceedings can only be started once the parties have been married for at least one year. However Judicial separation proceedings can be started within the first year. The Petitioner has to satisfy the Court that the marriage has irretrievably broken down with no prospect of reconciliation and that one of the following grounds exists: The Respondent has committed adultery and the Petitioner finds it intolerable to live with the Respondent. The Respondent has behaved in such a way that the Petitioner finds it intolerable to live with the Respondent. That the Respondent has deserted the Petitioner for a continuous period of two years That the parties have lived apart for a continuous period of two years and the Respondent consents to the divorce being granted That the parties have lived apart for a continuous period exceeding five years. For a contested divorce you would have to attend Court which results in higher costs for the divorce and representation. We can provide estimates of your costs and advise the best course of action for you. We offer competitive rates for uncontested divorce matters and estimate that such cases would normally be finalized between three to four months. Obviously this is only an estimate as to time scale as each case needs to be assessed individually Back to Page 1