Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average waiting time was for a response from each HMCTS divorce centre (a) on 17 June 2019, (b) in 2015 and (c) in 2010.

The regional divorce units were set up in 2015.

The average period of time from receipt to issue of the decree nisi is currently:

Midlands 27.6 weeks

North East 29.7 weeks

North west 29.1 weeks

Wales 28.5 weeks

South east 41 weeks

South west 26.8 weeks

In June 2015 it was:

Midlands 24 weeks

North East 21 weeks

North West 23.8 weeks

Wales 22 weeks

South East 24.7 weeks

South west 21.4 weeks

We have increased the number of sitting days and recruited extra judges and magistrates to meet increased demand in the family courts. In the South East, staff shortages in Bury St Edmunds Divorce Centre led to some delays, and the centre is now fully staffed and performance is improving.

Divorce can be a deeply distressing time which is why a new online divorce application was introduced as part of the £1 billion Reform programme. Separating couples can fill in simplified forms, submit documents and pay online - leading to significantly fewer errors and an easier, cheaper application process.