Vale Solicitors Advocates & Mediators

05/06/2026

Friday Fun!

04/06/2026

We are often asked "What to bring during mediation?"

If you have to consult someone, please ensure that you are able to contact the person via telephone during the mediation session. Please bring along all relevant documents relating to the dispute. These may include letters, e-mail exchanges, invoices, contractual agreements, expert reports, and photographs.

For more help and information on mediation, please contact one of our qualified and experienced solicitors at

03/06/2026

Did you know that n 1957 only 356 women solicitors held practising certificates in England and Wales. One of these was Agnes Twiston Hughes (pictured below), who in 1923 became the first Welshwoman to qualify as a solicitor.

Read more about Agnes in the comments below.

02/06/2026

Interesting case.

Thanks to for the link.

Case will ‘linger long in the memory’ says judge who issues final ruling on the assets hidden by convicted money launderer

02/06/2026

What not to say during mediation?
Don't Make Threats or Ultimatums

You might think it goes without saying but don't make threats or ultimatums during mediation. Threats to the other party or their attorney can escalate conflict and cause the other party to retract, shut down, or walk out. The goal of mediation is to collaborate openly.

Need mediation to resolve an issue? Then speak with one of our mediation solicitors at . We are here to help.

29/05/2026

Why Choose us?

At , we provide tailored support and guidance when you need it most. Our solicitors will guide you through the complexities of your case with compassion and care.

You’ll receive practical legal advice and will be guided through the process including our methodology, timeframes and strategies. To find out how we can support you, get in touch today.

29/05/2026

Friday Fun!

28/05/2026

Who Files for Divorce?

Historically, wives have initiated the majority of divorce petitions in England and Wales. According to the ONS, women have been the primary instigators of divorce in opposite-sex relationships since 1949, and in recent years, around 62–63% of petitions have been filed by wives.

The introduction of no-fault divorce in April 2022 has significantly changed how divorces are filed. The 2026 dataset shows that 73.1% of divorces under the new legislation were sole applications, with 26.7% being joint applications – a category that simply did not exist under the previous system.

Meanwhile, 50% of divorces processed under the old law were on the petition of the wife, representing a 12% decrease on the previous year, reflecting the rapid uptake of joint applications under the new regime.

Under the previous fault-based system, the petition data revealed clear patterns:

Unreasonable behaviour was the most common ground: cited in 63.7% of wife petitions and 45.2% of husband petitions. Wives were almost three times more likely than husbands to cite it, often alongside adultery.
Two-year separation with consent was more commonly used by husbands (27.5%) than wives (16.5%).
Five-year separation without consent featured in 20.9% of husband petitions and 11.1% of wife petitions.
Desertion was the least cited ground, appearing in under 0.4% of cases.

If you find yourself wanting to discuss a divorce then please get in touch with one of our trusted, experienced solicitors here at . We are here to help.

26/05/2026

How Many Marriages End in Divorce in the UK?

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), approximately 42% of marriages in England and Wales are projected to end in divorce – significantly lower than the widely circulated “50% myth” that continues to appear in media coverage and everyday conversation. So, do half of all marriages end in divorce? Not according to the data.

The 2026 data shows that 102,678 divorces were granted in England and Wales. When civil partnership dissolutions are included, the total reaches 103,816. This represents a 28% rise on the previous year’s figure of 80,057, and the first year-on-year increase in divorce numbers since 2003.

That context is essential: the figure from the data released in 2024 was historically low, artificially suppressed by the administrative disruption caused by the transition to the new no-fault divorce system introduced in April 2022. The 2026 numbers represent a return to pre-pandemic norms, not evidence of a sudden surge in marital breakdown.

The divorce rate per 1,000 married population stood at 8.6 for men and 8.5 for women. Based on the annual figure, that equates to approximately 281 divorces granted every day in England and Wales.

If you find yourself in a position whereby you want to discuss a divorce from your spouse, please get in touch with one of our solicitors at in or . We are here to help.