AQW 37404/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 12/12/2025
Answered On Date: 05/01/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Finance for an update on the introduction of no fault divorce in Northern Ireland.

Answer:

My Department held a public consultation to gather views on potential reforms to the law governing divorce and the dissolution of civil partnerships. The consultation ran from 23 June to 26 September 2025 and sought views on a range of possible changes.

A total of 405 responses were received, comprising 384 online submissions and 21 written responses. A comprehensive analysis of the consultation has been finalised and will be available on the Departmental website shortly.

The consultation has provided valuable insight into stakeholder views. I have now considered the findings in detail and prepared a paper setting out my proposals for reform of divorce and civil partnership dissolution. I have shared this paper with Ministerial colleagues for their consideration and comment.