One party applies to the court for a divorce (sole application) or both parties apply for their divorce (joint application)

Divorce application is issued by the court usually within two weeks. In the event of a sole application, the other party to the divorce should acknowledge service of the divorce application

A 20-week reflection period commences once the divorce has been issued by the court. Usually during this reflection period, the parties try and negotiate a financial settlement.

After the 20-week reflection period ends, the application for the Conditional Order can be submitted to the court. The court usually processes this application within a few weeks, and the parties will be notified of the date the Conditional Order will be pronounced by the court.

Conditional Order pronounced by the court. In the event of a joint application for divorce, the parties must wait 6 weeks and 1 day from the date of Conditional Order before they can apply for the Final Order of divorce.  If the parties have reached a financial settlement, they can now invite the court to approve their settlement (detailed in a Consent Order)

6 weeks and 1 day after the date of the Conditional Order, the application can be made for the Final Order. If the Applicant does not apply for the Final Order, the Respondent can apply for the Final Order once 3 months and 6 weeks have passed since the date of the Conditional Order

(Note that if 12 months or more have passed since the date of the Conditional Order, the application for the Final Order will need to include a short statement setting out the reasons for the delay)

Final Order pronounced by the court. On pronouncement of the Final Order, the parties are no longer married to each other and the divorce process has ended. Note that this step does not close the door on the parties’ financial claims