ACTION

In the wake of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 which is the legislation controlling the divorce process in England and Wales movements have been set up to address the bias and prejudice against men as husbands and fathers that has taken place.

In 1976 a coven of judges changed the merit test for the matrimonial ground of Unreasonable Behaviour from objective to subjective without Parliamentary sanction.. In other words from what a number of different people would consider to be unreasonable behaviour to what the petitioner considered to be unreasonable behaviour. At the same time the divorce process was moved from open court to behind closed doors.

             FNFFNF             CJD          NACSA            F4J            DR PELLING            R&P   

Whilst the bias and prejudice first became apparent in matters affecting what was then access between fathers and their children it spread to other matters emanating from the divorce process. Whilst not all are covered a number of movements are featured to illustrate reaction over the last 30 years to the way the divorce process has been changed since its implementation in 1973.