“Wave” of Divorces on the way according to The Times
According to the Times, lawyers in Scotland are preparing for a “wave of commercial disputes and divorces” as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. There are also fears that courts in Scotland will struggle to cope with the demand particularly given the covid related backlogs they already face.
The Accountancy firm, MHA Henderson Loggie noted that 80% of their legal clients expected their workload to increase in the coming months with 71% expecting a rise in commercial litigation and dispute resolution.
It does appear that Covid related restrictions have sadly taken their toll on relationships. According to reports, over 1,000 online divorce applications were made in England and Wales in the first week of lockdown alone.
With local lockdowns in place and rumours rife that the Country is heading inevitably towards another form of national lockdown the pressure on relationships will likely increase along with the number of separations and divorces.
Doubts remain about the extension of the Government’s job retention scheme and a more significant recession is surely only just around the corner. We commented in a previous blog that, according to economic theories, divorces increase as a result of an economic recession. Therefore, a recession coupled with additional personal restrictions may see a further spike in numbers.
Separating and divorcing a partner is a traumatic life event. At Walker Laird, our divorce lawyers in Paisley are on hand to listen and provide pragmatic expert legal advice to ensure the process is as easy as it possibly can be. It is imperative you seek legal advice to ensure your rights are protected.
Offering funding by way of legal aid and even flexible payment plans, our divorce lawyers in Paisley will strive to ensure you achieve your desired outcome.
Contact our family lawyers in Paisley today and let our family help your family.
Will Covid-19 lead to more Divorces?
Financial difficulties and working and living with your partner in close proximity is challenging, particularly during the Covid-19 lockdown. Unfortunately, for many couples, these challenges may be overwhelming which sadly results in the breakdown of their relationship or marriage.
Divorce filings in China rose considerably as the Country emerged from quarantine. Theories have previously been advanced that an economic recession is associated with an increased risk of divorce. However, commentators have suggested that this increased risk comes with a delayed impact as couples may wait to see whether an economic recovery will increase the value of their assets. There is also the time delay between actually separating and being able to obtain a decree of divorce.
For example, following the 2008 financial crisis the number of couples divorcing soared. It was reported that in England and Wales in 2010 the number of divorces was approximately 114,000. Government statisticians at the time likened the increased numbers to the increased number of divorces that were seen after the early 1990’s recession.
With the current economic recovery being far from certain and Scotland only taking tentative steps out of lockdown it will be interesting to see whether couples will wait for any signs of economic recovery or whether there will be a surge in the number of couples separating and divorcing. Given the time delay between separating and divorcing it will also be some time before official statistics emerge and we can truly calculate the impact of Covid-19 on the number of divorces in Scotland.
Sheriff Courts throughout Scotland are now accepting new divorce applications and our experienced divorce lawyers in Paisley can provide you with expert advice about the separation/divorce process including any queries you may have about child custody.
We appreciate that many people have financial concerns at this time, and legal aid is available depending on your circumstances. In a previous blog we give a general overview about legal aid eligibility.
We understand that separating from a partner is a difficult decision and it can be emotionally challenging. Our family lawyers in Paisley are on hand to listen and provide pragmatic solution based advice. Contact us now on 0141 887 5271 or complete our online enquiry form and a member of our team will be in touch to arrange your free introductory appointment which, given the current climate, can either be by telephone or alternatively by FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom or Skype.