What are the grounds for divorce?

20 October 2025 | Getting a Divorce |

If you and your partner have been married for at least a year, you will be eligible for divorce. There are, however, certain grounds for divorce that you need to demonstrate in order to get a divorce.

There are five legally acceptable grounds for divorce:

• Adultery (under current UK law, only sex between partners of opposite genders qualifies as adultery)
• Unreasonable Behaviour
• Desertion
• Two years separation and an agreement from your partner to divorce
• Five years separation, whether your partner agrees to the divorce or not