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Why the divorce law changes matter

The most far-reaching change in divorce laws in decades has come into force in England and Wales - ending the need for separating couples to apportion blame.

The launch of no-fault divorces for England and Wales comes after years of campaigning by family lawyers.

BBC News spoke to one divorcee about how it would have made a difference to her break-up.

6 April 2022

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A woman in a wheelchair. She is wearing a black jumper and a white and black skirt.

The women who are asked 'how do you have sex?'

Rachel Reeves

Watch: Reeves 'deeply proud' to be first female chancellor

Three women sitting on grass looking at coursework together. They are near a sign that says Dundee.

Afghan women describe joy at resuming medical dreams in Scotland

Tayside & Central Scotland

The word menopause on a lightbox surrounded by pills

Doctor answers your menopause questions

Gemma Dunstan at BBC Cardiff Central square on a balcony in front of a tv control room. she has long dark hair and is wearing a loose grey top

How do police forces catch misbehaving officers?

An independent review found that Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre had not put survivors first.

Rape Crisis Scotland boss apologises to rape survivors over support centre failings

Edinburgh, Fife & East

Gemma Doherty, wearing a kilt and blue t-shirt lifts two large stones on chains.

Stone-lifting mum is not your typical strong woman

Catriona Aitken - who has glasses and tied-back brown hair and is wearing a black floral dress - sat on an orange sofa, with the colourful panels of the BBC Wales office behind her

What is chemical menopause?

Tinessa Kaur in her barrister robes

Sikh woman becomes first to win barrister award

Victoria Atkins

The NHS was created by men for men, says health secretary

Molly Fenton, founder of Love Your Period

Women told alternative treatments could risk health

Actress Ashley Judd

Ashley Judd: 'It's a hard day' for Weinstein survivors

Keyframe #1

Breaking barriers: The rise of women's weightlifting

SheUltra medal

Hundreds to join 'empowering' women's ultra run

Reality TV star Vicky Pattison standing in her kitchen

Reality TV star Vicky Pattison: Why I'd donate my frozen eggs

Baroness Casey

Lords hears list of women killed this year

Jess Phillips

MP reads out list of women killed by men in past year

For the first time in history, women and girls took part in the main Viking squad.

Viking galley burns at fiery peak of Up Helly Aa

Cindy Mothogaathobogwe holding a long pole on a canoe

Botswana’s female polers changing stereotypes

woman running at night

Woman says running is 'tainted' by catcalling men

A snowy tree in Llanuwchllyn, Gwynedd

Watch: Snowy scenes as cold snap hits UK

Several weather warnings have been issued as the first snow of the season hit parts of the UK.

A group of schoolchildren in purple jumpers singing Happy Birthday to King Charles

Children sing Happy Birthday to the King

The monarch smiled as the group of youngsters sang to him with their teachers during a visit for a food poverty project.

A composite image of June Spencer as a young and older woman

Watch: June Spencer recounts her lifetime on The Archers

The radio star, who played Peggy Woolley in The Archers, has died aged 105.

Antonio Banderas looking at a Blue Peter badge next to Olivia Colman who is excitedly putting her badge on. A sign in the background reads Paddington in Peru

Watch: Colman's Blue Peter badge delight baffles co-star

The Oscar-winning actress appeared overwhelmed with joy when presenter Shini Muthukrishnan awarded her the badge.

Prince William playing rugby with school children in Cape Town

Prince William plays rugby with children in Cape Town

The Prince of Wales is on a trip in South Africa promoting his Earthshot environmental prize.

a woman looking at an off-screen interviewer. Her gaze is direct and she is wearing a black top and plum-coloured lipstick

'Little girls were threatened in the most depraved way'

Catherine Kierans from the PPS explains how Alexander McCartney abused young girls online.

King Charles standing at a podium

King: 'It is vital that we understand our history'

King Charles says says "the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate" in a speech to Commonwealth leaders.

A still from the bodycam footage showing the moments before Chris Kaba was shot

Bodycam video shows moments before Chris Kaba shooting

Police release bodycam footage showing moments before Chris Kaba is shot.

Scorpion

'Our flatmate found a scorpion in her Shein parcel'

A university student had a shock when she found a live scorpion in a clothing parcel from fast fashion firm Shein.

Princess of Wales

Kate in Southport for surprise first public visit since chemo

The Princess of Wales arrives in Southport for her first official engagement since finishing cancer treatment.

Learner motorbike rider uses phone while overtaking

Watch: Dangerous driving caught on camera

More people are being prosecuted for dangerous driving thanks to a huge increase in footage submitted to police by the public.

King Charles dancing

'He's got the moves' - King tries Samoan dance

The King and Queen met guests representing the Commonwealth at a St James's Palace reception.

Prince William and David Beckham pose in front of a helicopter

'East End boy' Beckham helps with Prince William fundraiser

Beckham says he was "excited and proud" to help raise money for the London Air Ambulance service.

Prince Harry smiles at WellChild Awards

Prince Harry arrives in London for charity awards

Prince Harry poses for photographs as he visits London for the WellChild Awards ceremony.

Harrison in the water, the sun is shining on the water and there is a boat behind him

Teenager swims Bristol Channel before rugby game

Harrison, 15, swam "non-stop" for several hours, then played rugby the next morning.

Huw Edwards outside court

Watch: Silent Huw Edwards arrives at court

The former BBC News presenter has arrived at Westminster Magistrates’ Court filmed by TV cameras, photographers and watched by journalists.

Gary Lineker, Joe Hart and Danny Murphy sit in the Match of the Day studio, with a backdrop of the Royal Albert Hall

Match of the day or Last Night of the Proms? Well, it's both!

To mark the 60th anniversary of Match of the Day, the football pundits had a go at some Proms commentary.

King Charles grins as three rugby players wearing black New Zealand t-shirts give him hug

Watch: King surprised by 'very healing' hug with rugby players

King Charles laughed after accepting the surprise offer from a player on New Zealand's women's team.

Emily Maitlis

Emily Maitlis reflects on impact of Prince Andrew interview

The 2019 interview, widely viewed as a "car-crash", saw the prince talk candidly to Maitlis about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Dionne Barrett

'Absolutely sickening': Mum reacts to early release of son's killer

Dionne Barrett said it is 'absolutely sickening' that a man jailed for her son's manslaughter will be released.