Quote Originally Posted by Alpha2210 View Post
I'm a Filipina and my British husband and I got married in Thailand last year. I discovered when I came for a visit that my husband has another woman. Can I file for a divorce in London and what are the conditions that I should meet to be able to file for a divorce?
I'm very sorry to learn about what has happened.

The very quick answer to your question is Yes.

However, as always, there are a few "if's and but's" that you really need to consider.

In principle you can file for divorce if you have been married for over a year, and it doesn't matter where the marriage took place, but it must be a valid marriage under English law.
Technically one of you needs to satisfy the rules for jurisdiction which can sometimes get a little complicated.
It's not always necessary that either of you needs to be here in England.

English courts have jurisdiction to grant a divorce if either spouse:-

- is domiciled in England or Wales when the proceedings are begun
or
- is habitually resident in England or Wales throughout the period of one year ending with the date on which proceedings are begun.

In this sense "domiciled" does not have the same meaning as "resident".

I would suggest you get clarification on your own circumstances from a solicitor. You can usually obtain a free 30minute consultation and I'm sure you would find it valuable.

Now, Alpha, please be aware that as a Filipino national, it doesn’t matter where in the world you file for divorce (ie Petitioner), such a divorce is not recognised as valid in the Philippines.
(Except that the legal reckoning point is not the citizenship of the parties at the time of marriage, but the citizenship at the time a valid divorce is obtained abroad by the petitioner)

This is probably the single most important issue for you and I'm sure you can understand the implications.

Please think very carefully. If you petition for divorce the only beneficiary is your husband who will be free to marry. Your position will not have changed.