The legal bit

The introduction of no-fault divorce with Clive Coleman

Today marks the introduction of No-fault divorce. In this episode, Kate was joined by Clive Coleman to discuss the change in law, the media narrative around it and future reform in the divorce space.

6 April 2022
33 MIN
#53

Today marks the introduction of no-fault divorce. In this episode, Kate was joined by Clive Coleman to discuss the change in law, the media narrative around it and future reform in the divorce space.

About the episode:

Clive has also been through his own divorce, which he talks about in this episode. Kate and Clive also look at how the media has previously covered divorce, its responsibility in sparking change, as well as future reform. Clive responds to criticism around no-fault divorce from religious groups and where to go to find information about no-fault divorce**.**

About our guests:

As the BBC’s Legal Correspondent between 2010 and 2020, Clive was the face and voice of legal coverage and analysis across the BBC news output on radio, television and the website. Drawing on his years as a practicing barrister, he covered a vast range of domestic and international legal stories and issues including 2019’s momentous Supreme Court prorogation case, Brexit, the growing courts' backlog, the Barclay brothers ‘Ritz’ dispute, GDPR, the VW emissions scandal, phone hacking, Sir Cliff Richard v BBC, and the Hillsborough tragedy inquests.

Prior to becoming BBC Legal Correspondent, Clive was for six years the presenter of Radio 4’s flagship legal analysis programme ‘Law In Action’, and presented a raft of BBC programmes including Panorama ‘The Death of Kiss and Tell’, on the rise of privacy protection under the Human Rights Act. He has also been a columnist on ‘The Times’ and written for ‘The Guardian’ and ‘The Independent’. His time in journalism has given him a comprehensive knowledge of the media landscape, and a privileged insight into the justice system, the legal profession and civil and criminal law. Clive has an in-depth knowledge of how news stories work, are managed and affect the lives and reputations of those involved. His litigation training and experience in practice has given him a particular insight into news stories involving those going to law or seeking to avoid legal action, and the role of the lawyers advising and representing them.

Clive is also an acclaimed writer for theatre, television and film. His credits include, the play ‘Young Marx’ which opened Sir Nicholas Hytner’s Bridge Theatre in 2017, ‘Chambers’, his BBC sit-com starring John Bird and Sarah Lancashire, and the film ‘The Duke’ starring Helen Mirren and Jim Broadbent, released in February 2022. 

More resources:

Get in touch with amicable for information on the legal, financial and children aspects of separation. Book a free 15-minute consultation with an amicable expert through the amicable website.

Latest Episodes

Episode #194: Single parenting after divorce: support, boundaries and self-care
Coparenting
13 May 2026
40 MIN

Single parenting after divorce: support, boundaries and self-care

Single parenting after separation is a lot – and so much of it goes unspoken.

#194
Episode #193: Glass half-full: Libby Brodie on how divorce made her a better person
Separation stories
6 May 2026
35 MIN

Glass half-full: Libby Brodie on how divorce made her a better person

Separation and a complete career change at the same time – sound overwhelming? For Libby Brodie, it was the start of something unexpected.

#193
Episode #192: Plot twist: Ebele Okobi's separation story
Separation stories
29 April 2026
47 MIN

Plot twist: Ebele Okobi's separation story

In this episode, Kate is joined by Ebele Okobi, who has held senior roles at OpenAI, Meta and Nike. But in this conversation, it's her separation story that takes centre stage. And this one is different – you'll want to stay right till the end to find out why.

#192

Listen to The Divorce Podcast on your favourite platform