Should we welcome an end to the 'blame game'? Reflecting on experiences of civil partnership dissolution

Current trends within family law in England and Wales favor the introduction of 'no fault' divorce. However, using empirical data, this article argues that there is still a place for 'fault' and that the law is an appropriate place to express emotion and 'blame'. In the context of civil partnership, where it is impossible to specifically cite an ex-partner’s 'adultery' in the dissolution petition, the data indicate that petitioners have felt frustrated. This suggests that, were 'fault' to be removed entirely from the law, people may struggle to achieve emotional recovery after relationship breakdown, being offered fewer opportunities to tell their 'story'.