Is the love affair with ‘Divorce Day’ finally over? Obiter has long groaned at the sight of emails from lawyers and PRs about the annual tradition whose origins we’ve struggled to trace.

The term refers to the first working Monday of the New Year when firms reportedly receive a surge in enquiries from couples wanting to go their separate ways. Not HCR Law, which checked the enquiries its 37-strong family team received over the past two years.

The firm's analysis showed February and March 2024, and April and September 2025 to be the busiest months for divorce and separation enquiries. ‘Our data reinforces the view that divorce day is a myth. While January can feel busy because December is traditionally quieter, there is no sudden surge on one particular day that justifies the label "divorce day"', said HCR Law partner Christopher Finch. 

‘Decisions about separation are rarely sudden. For parents, in particular, timing is often influenced by children’s needs, school terms, exams and wider financial considerations. Many people think carefully about when and how to take the next step. There simply is no such thing as “divorce day”. For every couple, the right time will depend on their unique circumstance.’

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