skip navigation
 

Welcome to the Bobbetts Mackan web site

No Fault Divorce

The new ‘no-fault’ divorce procedure went live on 6th April 2022. This is a long-awaited update, which eliminates the need for either party to place blame on the other for the breakdown of the marriage. The aim is to reduce animosity between the parties and allow them to move forwards amicably.

 In addition, the change means there is no need to wait for two years or more, following a separation, to be able to apply for a divorce

Under the new procedure, an application can be made by one of the parties as a single application or by both parties as a joint application. The Applicant(s) will be asked to confirm that the marriage has broken down irretrievably. If a single application is made, the other party (the Respondent) will be asked to complete an ‘Acknowledgement of Service’ form, to confirm receipt of the divorce application

The Applicant(s) have to wait 20 weeks from the date that the Court issues the application before application can be made for the ‘Conditional Order’ (previously called Decree Nisi). Once the Conditional Order has been issued by the court, there is a further period of 6 weeks before the Applicant can obtain the Final Order of divorce (previously called Decree Absolute. It is, however, advisable to wait until financial matters have been resolved before applying for the Final Order.

. A Respondent can now only oppose the divorce if they do not believe the court has jurisdiction to deal with it, (i.e neither party has a connection with the UK), or with proof that the marriage/civil partnership was never valid or if the marriage/civil partnership has already legally ended.

If the Respondent does not complete the Acknowledgement of Service, the Applicant can instruct a Process Server to personally serve the application on the Respondent, to prove the Respondent knows about the Application and enable the Application to proceed.

In light of the simplified process, we have reduced our Fixed Fee and if you would like advice re divorce under the new procedure please call 0117 9299001 and ask for our Family Team

 

 




We understand that sometimes the way the law affects people can be difficult to understand and appear complicated.  We aim to keep it simple and we make any process as straightforward as we can.


We aim to be your personal lawyers and offer a comprehensive, client friendly service specialising in Property Sale and Purchase, Wills and Probate, Powers of Attorney, Family and relationship issues, including cases involving children, Actions and Complaints against the Police and Criminal Defence from more minor matters (including motoring cases) to the most serious allegations.  We are here to protect your rights and your interests in any way that we can.


We are committed to a quality service, are Lexcel and CQS accredited.  We are contracted to the Legal Aid Agency and can provide services that are funded by Legal Aid.


We are ranked in both Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners directories (band 1) for Criminal Defence work including fraud allegations.


We have years of experience and a range of established expertise which we are happy to share with our clients from our centrally located Bristol Offices.


Contact us by telephone or email  Tel: 0117 9299001 Email: info@bobbetts.com

Comments from recent client experiences:

'I would like to thank you for representing me last week.  The outcome would have been completely different without your hard work and professionalism...'

Criminal Defence Team May 2019


Courts Martial

Bobbetts Mackan understand the culture, process and the courts.
Read more...

Tel: 0117 3164921

defenceteam@bobbetts.com

Legal Aid in Criminal Cases

The changes that have now come into force are very clumsy and have not been thought through by the Government or the Legal Services Commission.
Read more....

Tel: 0117 3164909

defenceteam@bobbetts.com

Criminal Defence

Bobbetts Mackan is recognised as a leading law practice for criminal defence and defence of serious fraud.
Read more...

Tel: 0117 3164909

defenceteam@bobbetts.com

Claims against police

If you believe that you have been seriously wronged and that the complaints procedure is insufficient you can bring a claim against the police.
Read more...

Tel: 07545 204433 Tuesday and Wednesday 10.30am to 2.00pm

jnewman@bobbetts.com 


Probate



Family and Children

If you are involved in a family dispute, divorce, separation or legal issue over the care of children, it is very easy to feel as though things are slipping out of your control.
Read more....

Tel: 0117 3164922

info@bobbetts.com

Serious fraud

If you use Bobbetts Mackan to defend a serious fraud allegation you will get first class advice from a Team that really understands business and finance.
Read more...

Tel: 0117 3164921

defenceteam@bobbetts.com

Property

From our office in Lower Park Row, Bristol we work closely with our clients to complete over 500 successful transactions per year.
Read more...

Tel: 0117 3164919


 

Current Vacancies

Legal Assistant to assist and support the Children Team.
An understanding and experience of private and public law children matters preferable.
Good keyboard skills and telephone manner essential.
Please apply by sending a letter and CV to:  jtuckwell@bobbetts.com



Your Personal Lawyers

We are ready to assist you whatever advice you need. 

Call us

We're your Personal Lawyers

Police Station 24 Hour Helpline

0117 929 8987

Talk to us about...

Feedback

Client acquitted of allegation of rape March 2023
"Mr Miles has been an extraordinary asset in assisting me in my legal matters, both him and his team worked endlessly to provide all they could in my situation, not only as a legal professional but also as a human being, he is remarkable. Throughout our time working together there wasn't a moment where i did not trust in his work or decisions.
I cannot recommend Mr Miles and his team enough, I really can't.  Absolutely amazing work.
My Infinite thanks and gratitude"

Client acquitted of allegation of murder June 2021
Comment from client's family
Just a note to say how relieved we all are on the outcome.  I would like to thank and tell you all just how much we appreciate everything you and your firm have done, not only for .... but for us as a family.  Your hard work and dedication was overwhelming and your fight for the acquittal was outstanding, so thank you to all involved from the bottom of our hearts.  THANK YOU SO MUCH

A comment from a Conveyancing Client
during lockdown 12th July 2020
'
Thank you for everything you have done for me.  You are the Tops'

Criminal Defence Team May 2019
'
Thank you for all your help and support over the past months......... It was most reassurig to know that you were there to act on my behalf..... Thank you again'

Criminal Defence Team May 2019
'I would like to thank you for representing me last week.  The outcome would have been completely different without your hard work and professionalism...'

Property Team May 2019
'We thought we should drop you a short note to feedback our recent experience with your company and especially the professionalism and personal attention we received from Beth Humphries.... Beth was our main point of contact and we quickly established a proactive and professional relationship with her.  She was never too busy to answer our questions and always timely and accurate with her responses.  She gave us real reassurance.......'

Criminal Defence Team April 2019
...............
it is such a relief to myself and the rest of my family to avoid disqualification from driving.   We thought you did a fantastic job and wouldn't hesitate to recommend you in future.  TH

Criminal Defence Team May 2018
'I am very happy with the outcome of my process.  Since the arrest (approx. one year ago) I have been in a very bad psychological and financial situation. I was not expecting a positive outcome to the process.  I am extremely thankful for all the help and support I got from Bobbetts Mackan.........considering my charges and financial situation I still got a very professional service'





 

Site search

 
Home | About Us | Our Services | Our People | Firm News | Library | Contact Us
Bobbetts Mackan Solicitors & Advocates
Ground Floor, Griffin House, 15-16 Lower Park Row, Bristol BS1 5BN
T 0117 929 9001 F 0117 3164900
VAT Registered No. 137 8318 52
24hr Criminal defence helpline Tel 0117 9298987
E info@bobbetts.com

Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). SRA number 70535.

Copyright © Bobbetts Mackan. All rights reserved
Terms and conditions
[smaller] Change text size [larger]