Justice Committee votes to delay divorces
3 Nov 05
Amendment to Family Law Bill would mean compromise separation periods
A Holyrood committee has said the Executive's plans to cut the time limits for obtaining a divorce would make the separation periods too short.
The Justice 1 committee decided yesterday that instead of the proposed two years and one year periods, respectively cases for cases without and with consent of the other party, the separation times should be three years in the former case and 18 months in the latter.
The change was recommended by Conservative MSP Margaret Mitchell and supported by cross-party committee members by four to three.
Ms Mitchell said she felt one year was not long enough for couple to reflect on matters properly. Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry argued that shortening the time allowed people to move on.