Couples seeking “quickie divorces” can make the process even speedier as a result of a new online service launched by the Co-op.



The fixed-fee digital service from Co-op Legal Services enables people to start uncontested divorces online from home, supported by phone-based advice from experienced solicitors.



It is the latest digital product from the Co-op – which already offers online wills and powers of attorney – to be launched in England and Wales, where about 100,000 couples are granted a divorce every year.

It estimates the service could cut the amount of time it takes to complete an uncontested divorce by a third, from six to nine months, to four to six months.

With just over three in five of Co-op’s family law inquiries now occurring online (62%), the group is anticipating a surge in the first three months of this year.



“Couples have often already considered divorcing for a number of months, but they then hold off announcing their plans until after the festive period, mainly to avoid upset among family members,” said Tracey Moloney, the head of family law at Co-op Legal Services.

“We do see a number of divorce inquiries coming in the early hours of the morning, as people want to feel like they are moving things on. Divorce isn’t something to be entered into lightly, but once a couple has made up their mind to get a divorce, we can begin to offer them the advice and legal support they need, at a time to suit them.”



The service has been designed to use plain English and avoid legal jargon. The online tool guides customers through a set of questions, using language tailored to the individual’s circumstances.



The service is not the first in the market, but the Co-op will be the largest provider. The member-owned organisation, which already runs supermarkets, banks, funeral services and pharmacies, says online divorces will cost £600, plus £550 for the court fees – the same as its traditional divorce service.

The Ministry of Justice said last year that couples could divorce online – as long as both parties agree – in an attempt to save the overloaded court system £250m a year and make better use of its resources.