Family Court Statistics: Marriage and divorce stats, trends and analysis

Every quarter the Family Court issues statistics covering their caseload. At LGFL we keep a watch on these statistics to spot patterns both in the number of cases and the time from start to conclusion, and generally to be abreast of industry trends.

We also look at major reports such as the Nuffield Family Observatory which tracks trends and patterns in figures released by the Ministry of Justice.

This depth of statistical information enables us to be transparent and pragmatic when advising clients about family law case timings, and trends running alongside the fixed minimum legal timescale for divorce cases in England and Wales.

So, what did we find that can help you in your family law matter or divorce?

The latest divorce statistics

The Family Court Statistics Quarterly: October to December 2025 reveals rising family law case numbers overall but falling for divorce applications. (1)

Divorce applications

The number of divorce applications fell by 5% compared to the same period in 2024 to just under 24,000. Matrimonial matters account for 37% of new cases filed from October to December 2025. This is the first time this Oct-Dec period has featured ‘no fault’ divorce cases, as in 2024, there were still outstanding cases under the previous system. Just under 110,000 divorce applications were made in 2025, a small drop of 1% on 2024.

Divorce timescales

The time taken for divorce cases to progress dropped too:

- - - From application to conditional order, timescales dropped by 5 weeks to 40 weeks.
    - From application to final order, the average time was 65 weeks, down 6 weeks.

Overall, as the MoJ reports:

“In October to December 2025, the median time to conditional order was 28 weeks and 38 weeks to final order.”

To put this into context:

“No fault divorce takes a minimum of 26 weeks (6 months) from application to conclusion as follows:

Take legal advice (optional)

Apply for a divorce

Application received by court

20-week ‘cooling off’ period

Issue of conditional order

Minimum of a further 6 weeks

Apply to the court for a final order

Issue of final order approx. 9-12 months after initial application”(3)

Considering that the legal framework for divorce in England and Wales includes a mandatory cooling off period, any fall in overall timescales is very welcome progress. These timeframes also reiterate that despite what clients may think, online divorce is not quicker.

Interestingly, the number of joint divorce applications rose by 2% to 27% of the total number, perhaps as couples realise it can be better to cooperate and pool resources and information than to go solo. However this isn’t always the case

Other interesting stats

Number of cases

Despite the focus on NCDR (Non Court Dispute Resolution), courts are busier than ever. The number of family court cases during the report timescale (October to December 2025) rose by 4%. This was across most areas of family law, and as the MoJ statistician noted:

“This increase has been driven by both private law and financial remedy cases, with a smaller increase seen in domestic violence remedy cases.” (1)

During 2025, the number of cases rose by 3% overall.

Time taken for court proceedings

Private law cases are taking less time from start to disposal, dropping by an average of 4% compared with the same period last year, and down to 37 weeks in 2025 overall.

Domestic violence remedy orders

There was a 5% rise in the number of orders applied for and made, which at least shows more are seeking the court’s help to obtain protection. 94% of these were non-molestation orders.

Nuffield Family Justice Observatory report

The Nuffield FJO report “Trends in the family justice system in England and Wales in 2025” (2) looks further into the stats issued by the MoJ, to discover the potential drivers in the fluctuations and changes in the case numbers. Their latest report investigated possible drivers for the rise in private law cases, and three really interesting points emerged.

The rise in private law cases

This could result from increasing:

“Social challenges related to the cost-of-living crisis and lack of community provision which could have previously helped to reduce conflict and divert parents from court (such as the capacity of early help or domestic violence services).”

AI chatbots

The report highlighted the possible role of AI chatbots which can:

“Validate feelings and encourage parents to seek court resolution to conflicts as well as support them to make applications.”

At LGFL, we are strong advocates for the efficient and ethical use of AI by all participants in cases. Bookmark our article page here for further insights, or follow our Director and legal AI thought leader Rita Gupta on LinkedIn.

SEND tribunals

Looking more widely across His Majesty’s Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), the report noted the rise in families resorting to the courts for SEND provision for their child.

“The number of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) tribunals has also risen significantly, with nearly 80% growth over the past two years … It highlights the growing role of the justice system as a mechanism for families to obtain support, resolve conflicts or navigate complex family challenges.”

Whilst these figures are for tribunals, not marital cases, it points to an increasing number of parents seeking SEND provision, not all of whom may stay together forever.

At LGFL, we specialise in divorce and separation for parents of SEND children, with particular knowledge and experience of the Disability issues. For more details see our video series, or contact us:

Representing yourself in court

One of the interesting statistics tucked away at the end of the MoJ figures reveals the number of people choosing to represent themselves in a family court:

“In October to December 2025, the proportion of disposals where neither the applicant nor respondent had legal representation was 48%, up 3%.”

The report noted how “Cases with legal representation take longer on average”. However, it doesn’t explain why. In our experience, self-representation takes up a vast amount of your personal time to prepare, and even then your case is far more likely to be ‘patchy’ in terms of details, evidence and accuracy. These cases simply take less time in court because so much of the important details may not be present, and can be dismissed more quickly. Many who self-represent may not get the outcome they wanted, and not know how to achieve it either.

At LGFL, we offer a boutique level of service so you can be sure your case has been fully researched, evidence and financial details, gained, and properly prepared for submission to the court. We are thorough and determined, and we’ve been called ‘terrier-like’ in our determination to get the best outcome possible for you and your family. That takes considerable time to do properly, both before, during and after court proceedings.

As experienced family lawyers, we work with the other party’s lawyers so you don’t have to. We ask the awkward questions about full disclosure of financial details (a legal requirement). We also take a pragmatic and strategic approach that takes into account long-term future needs for you and your children. We even know the preferences of local family court judges in how they wish evidence presented, and their approaches.

Legal representation is never just a ‘nice to have’. It is an investment in your future supported by experienced legal professionals who will fight your corner at every turn.

“Rita Gupta always makes you feel at ease, and you feel comfortable in explaining your situation. She has a fantastic ability to understand her clients and is always willing to assist further with any questions you may have. I cannot say enough about the excellent service I have received and would totally recommend Rita and her team to anyone.”

“Personally, I cannot fault a single thing Anne Leiper did for me. Her knowledge and experience speak volumes about how she helped me get to the end of a divorce that I didn't think was possible. I came away with a settlement I never thought was achievable.”

Client reviews from Legal 500 2026 (4)

Professional legal advice when you need it most

At LGFL, our 1-hour reduced fee consultation offers you a professional, experienced overview of your circumstances that is both impartial yet empathetic. We offer a personal, boutique service tailored to your personal situation and circumstances. To get the expert advice you need to decide how to move forward:

About the author

Rita Gupta is Co-founder and Managing Director of family law firm LGFL Ltd, serving family law for clients in the Reading and Thames Valley area, across the UK and for international clients involved in UK divorce cases. She has featured as a family law expert on national TV and radio, including BBC Radio 5 Live with Nicky Campbell, LBC, GB News with Darren McCaffrey and local TV and radio.

Legal 500 Recommended Lawyer
Listed in Chambers and Partners
Listed Leading Lawyer at Wiselaw
Member of Resolution

REFERENCES:

(1) Nuffield Family Justice Observatory. (2025). Trends in the family justice system in England and Wales in 2025. https://www.nuffieldfjo.org.uk/news/trends-in-the-family-justice-system-in-england-and-wales-in-2025

(2) Ministry of Justice. (2026, March 26). Family court statistics quarterly: October to December 2025. GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/family-court-statistics-quarterly-october-to-december-2025/family-court-statistics-quarterly-october-to-december-2025

(3) Leiper Gupta Family Lawyers. (2025). No-fault divorce: Three years on. https://lgfamilylawyers.co.uk/no-fault-divorce-three-years-on/

(4) The Legal 500. (n.d.). Leiper Gupta Family Lawyers Ltd (LGFL Ltd): Rankings. https://www.legal500.com/firms/4411-leiper-gupta-family-lawyers-ltd-lgfl-ltd/r-england/rankings