When do most couples divorce in the UK? 2026 trends and statistics

The traditional “Divorce Day” is the first working Monday of January, when divorce enquiries spike after the festive period. More recent data from HM Courts and Tribunals Service shows that late September is also a major peak. Since the introduction of no-fault divorce on 6 April 2022, the picture has shifted: filings are smoother through the year, with smaller seasonal peaks rather than one dramatic “Divorce Day“.

If you’re considering this step, consulting a divorce law solicitor can provide clarity and support during this transition.

What the latest UK divorce statistics say

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes annual Divorces in England and Wales statistics, and the Ministry of Justice publishes quarterly Family Court Statistics with month-by-month breakdowns. Opposite-sex divorces in England and Wales have stabilised after a post-COVID surge, with around 80,000 to 90,000 granted per year, plus several thousand same-sex divorces.

Has no-fault divorce changed the timing of filings?

The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 came into force on 6 April 2022 and replaced fault-based grounds with a single “irretrievable breakdown” application. Three effects on timing have emerged:

• A surge in applications between April and July 2022, as separated couples who had been waiting for no-fault divorce filed straight away.
• A flatter year-round profile, because applicants no longer have to manufacture or argue a fault-based ground.
• Smaller relative seasonal peaks. The September and January peaks are still visible, but less dramatic than in the pre-2022 data.

The 20-week minimum reflection period and the further 6-week wait between Conditional Order and Final Order also stretch the timeline of any single divorce, so the date of filing and the date of divorce can be 6 to 12 months apart.

Why do peaks happen in January and September?

Two practical drivers explain the peaks. January reflects the strain of the festive period: couples who have been considering divorce often delay until after Christmas to avoid disruption to children and family. September reflects the end of the summer holidays: couples return from family time, children go back to school, and the practical window for legal action opens. Both peaks are about routine and resolve, not rash decisions.

What this means if you’re considering divorce in 2026

Timing your application is less consequential than it once was. Court fees and processes are the same year-round. What does matter is preparing properly: gathering financial disclosure, deciding whether to attempt mediation (a MIAM is mandatory before most family court applications, except in domestic abuse cases) and taking early legal advice. Filing the divorce itself is straightforward. The financial settlement that runs alongside it is where most strategic decisions are made.