Hartnell Chanot: Divorce/Family Law Solicitors Exeter, Devon

To Start Proceedings

Civil partnerships are dissolved by the courts, by filing a new type of petition.

The dissolution begins with an application to the court in the form of a ‘Petition' giving the reasons why you are applying, and to show your civil partnership is definitely over -  i.e. that it has ‘irretrievably broken down'.

It is often a good idea to obtain your civil partner's prior consent to a Petition being filed. Your solicitor may be able to reach agreement over what form the Petition should take, which may help to keep things amicable throughout the proceedings.

The court can inquire into the facts alleged by either party and if satisfied on the evidence that the civil partnership has broken down irretrievably, a dissolution order can be granted.

For further information please call 01392 421777.