How to Submit a Divorce or Dissolution Application Using MyHMCTS
Key Takeaways
Dishonesty attracts the most serious sanction — The SDT struck off after finding repeated acts of dishonesty, including misleading clients and the employment tribunal and fabricating IT issues to excuse her conduct.
Client authority is fundamental — Accepting a settlement without the client’s knowledge or consent breached a core professional duty to act in the client’s best interests and only on clear, informed instructions.
Transparency underpins public confidence — The tribunal refused anonymity, emphasising that openness in cases of serious misconduct is essential to maintaining trust in the solicitors’ profession.
Solicitor Guidance
This guide explains how solicitors and legal representatives can submit and manage divorce and civil partnership dissolution applications using MyHMCTS, the online case management system operated by HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS).
It covers the full process under the “new law” divorce regime, from account setup and case creation through to submission, payment, service options, and post-submission case management.
Before You Start
Before you can issue or manage a divorce or dissolution application on MyHMCTS, both you and your organisation must complete the required onboarding steps.
1. Registering Your Organisation
Your firm must be registered with MyHMCTS. If your organisation already has an account, you will need to contact the firm’s MyHMCTS administrator to request user access.
2. Setting Up Your User Account
Each solicitor or staff member must have their own individual MyHMCTS user account linked to the organisation. Once created, you can sign in using your registered email address and password.
Using the Correct Portal
It is essential that you use the solicitor portal, not the citizen portal:
Organisation management:
https://manage-org.platform.hmcts.net
Case management:
https://manage-case.platform.hmcts.net
If you are unable to locate your organisation during registration or encounter access issues, contact MyHMCTSsupport@justice.gov.uk so the HMCTS team can review your account and organisation setup.
Important Information on D11 Applications
If you intend to make a D11 general application (for example, for alternative service, deemed service, or dispensed service), you must not upload the D11 during the initial divorce or dissolution application.
Instead, you should:
Submit the divorce or dissolution application first; and
Make the D11 application afterwards using the general application function within MyHMCTS.
Sole and Joint Applications
Divorce and civil partnership dissolution applications can be made as either:
a sole application; or
a joint application.
This guide focuses on sole applications. Separate guidance applies to joint applications.
This article also explains how to:
submit notices of change or acting;
stop representing a client; and
respond to requests for information from the court.
The Case List
When you sign into MyHMCTS, you will be taken to the case list screen.
From here, you can:
view all applications issued by your firm;
search for existing cases; and
create new divorce or dissolution applications.
All divorce and dissolution applications are issued by the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre (CTSC).
When creating a new case, you must ensure you select the correct case type:
- New Law Case (this applies to all divorce and dissolution cases issued under the post-1 April 2022 regime).
What You Will Need to Complete the Application
During the application process, you will be required to:
complete a digital version of Form D8;
upload a copy of the marriage or civil partnership certificate;
upload any supporting documents (for example, certified translations or deed polls);
enter payment details (Payment by Account or Help with Fees); and
submit the application digitally.
Searching for a Case
You can search for existing cases using:
the filter options on the left-hand side of the case list; or
the search bar in the top-right corner of the screen.
You may search by:
the 16-digit divorce case number;
party names; or
your internal solicitor reference.
When entering a case reference number, it must be in the correct format:
a 16-digit number, with or without a hyphen; and
no spaces at the end of the reference.
Under the new divorce law, this 16-digit reference number is used from issue through to final order.
When Divorce Becomes the Right Step
Every relationship is different, and there is rarely a single reason that leads to divorce. Often, several factors combine over time until couples reach the point where separation feels like the healthiest option.
If you are considering divorce or separation, speaking with an experienced family solicitor can help you understand your options and plan the next steps.
Learn more about the process here
Creating a New Case
To start a new application, select “Create case” and choose the following options:
Jurisdiction: Family Divorce;
Case type: New Law Case; and
Event: Apply – Divorce or Dissolution.
Select Start, then confirm whether the application is for a divorce or dissolution and choose Sole Application.
Solicitor and Organisation Details
As the applicant’s solicitor, you will be asked to confirm:
your firm’s name and registered address;
your solicitor reference (recommended for easier case tracking); and
an email address for correspondence.
If you agree to future communications by email, all correspondence will be sent electronically rather than by post.
You must search for and select your organisation from the MyHMCTS list. Only organisations registered with MyHMCTS will appear, and only one address per firm can be selected.
If you do not select an organisation at this stage, you will receive an error message when attempting to submit the application.
Search Tips
Avoid including “solicitors”, “Ltd”, or “chambers”;
Use a distinctive word from your firm’s name;
Try partial names if the full firm name does not appear;
Use postcode searches without spaces (for example, DE12MO); and
Ensure the postcode matches the one registered with MyHMCTS.
Selecting your organisation allows the case to be shared internally with colleagues at Parachute Law.
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