Not exactly—there’s a giant, scandal-shaped asterisk. Adultery still matters in divorce proceedings. If you want to legally ditch your spouse and blame them for the affair, you can use adultery as “proof” of irretrievable breakdown. But here’s the kicker: you can’t use your own adultery as a reason—only your spouse’s. That’s like saying, “I broke the vase, but you get the blame!”
Revealed: The 'adultery capital' of the UK as 'curious' couples explore
And if you’re the one caught cheating, the court can consider that when dividing assets. So, yes, that affair might cost you half your house, but at least you won’t do time. It’s a bit like a tax on betrayal.
The Really Weird Exceptions
Here’s where it gets bananas: adultery is technically illegal in some UK contexts—specifically, in the military. If you’re a soldier, sailor, or air marshal, shagging a colleague’s spouse can land you in a court-martial. The British Army calls it “conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline.” Translation: don’t mess with the Sergeant Major’s wife.
Also, bigamy—marrying someone else while still married—is a criminal offense. That’s not “adultery,” that’s “fraud with a wedding cake.” You can get up to seven years in prison for that, which is longer than some people’s marriages last. So, remember: one partner at a time, legally speaking.
