Unhappy spouses in England and Wales can now end their marriages without blaming each other.
"No-fault" divorces will mean from Wednesday, one spouse no longer needs to prove the other guilty of either adultery, "unreasonable behaviour" or desertion.
Previously, without such proof, couples had to live apart for two years before a divorce could be granted — or five years if one partner objected to the proceedings.
The biggest reform of divorce law for 50 years brings England and Wales into line with Scotland, the US, Australia and Germany.
In 2018, Tini Owens lost a Supreme Court fight when she failed to persuade the judges that her 40-year marriage should end.
Her husband had contested her claims of unreasonable behaviour. Judges ruled that being trapped in an unhappy marriage was not in itself grounds for divorce.
"No one should have to remain in a loveless marriage or endure a long, drawn-out and expensive court battle to end it," Ms Owens said.
"This change in the law guards against that happening and I welcome it."
Couples concocting evidence
A minimum wait of 20 weeks will be required between a spouse first initiating proceedings and applying for a legal order. They must wait another six weeks before the divorce can be granted.
The decades-old system has led to some couples employing private detectives to find evidence of fault — or agreeing to concoct the evidence.
A woman identified as Vicky told BBC radio she and her first husband "had to make up scenarios and situations that we felt were going to be accepted" by the court after they had agreed to an amicable divorce.
Her second marriage was to a "very manipulative" and "violent" man who refused to take part in divorce proceedings, forcing her to wait for five years of separation.
"And I could have been out of that relationship a lot quicker and a lot sooner than I was," said Vicky, according to AFP.
Sam Smith
Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday November 24
Rating: 4/5
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
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The Freedom Artist
By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
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Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta
Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)
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Last 10 NBA champions
2017: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-1
2016: Cleveland bt Golden State 4-3
2015: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-2
2014: San Antonio bt Miami 4-1
2013: Miami bt San Antonio 4-3
2012: Miami bt Oklahoma City 4-1
2011: Dallas bt Miami 4-2
2010: Los Angeles Lakers bt Boston 4-3
2009: Los Angeles Lakers bt Orlando 4-1
2008: Boston bt Los Angeles Lakers 4-2
