Adultery still major cause of divorce in Britain

Adultery remains the major cause of divorce in Britain, according to a new survey.

However, "family strains" and emotional and physical abuse have shown a significant increase as the cause of relationship breakdowns, the survey of matrimonial lawyers concluded.

Adulterous behaviour was cited as the reason for 27 per cent of all divorces last year, compared with 29 per cent in 2003.

Next were divorces caused by "family strains" (up from 11 per cent to 18 per cent) emotional or physical abuse (up from 10 per cent to 17 per cent.)

The figures come from a survey conducted among British matrimonial lawyers by Grant Thornton's Forensic Practice.

Toni Pincott, a matrimonial expert in financial settlements with Grant Thornton, said: "Fifty-three per cent of all divorces tend to occur in marriages lasting between 10 and 15 years with a further 40 per cent ending earlier, between five and 10 years."

"The first five years of any marriage is pretty much divorce-free and if the union lasts beyond 20 it looks set for life."