Is Adultery a Crime in The UK? No, its not, but it is one of the reasons for getting a divorce. First, adultery can only be cited as grounds for divorce if your partner has had sex with a person of the opposite sex. If your partner had a relationship with someone of the same sex, thats not adultery under UK law.

When did adultery become legal in the UK?

The Matrimonial Causes Act 1923, introduced as a Private Members Bill, enabled either partner to petition for divorce on the basis of their spouses adultery (previously, only the man had been able to do this). A further Act in 1937 offered additional grounds for divorce: cruelty, desertion and incurable insanity.

What happens if you commit adultery UK?

What happens in a divorce if you commit adultery under UK law? If you commit adultery in English law (England and Wales), this can be used as valid grounds for divorce. Divorce law differs in Scotland and Ireland, from that of England and Wales.

Is adultery actually a crime?

The term adultery refers to sexual acts between a married person and someone who is not that persons spouse. In criminal law, adultery was a criminal offence in many countries in the past, and is still a crime in some countries today.

Is it illegal to cheat while married?

Adultery isnt just a crime in the eyes of your spouse. In 21 states, cheating in a marriage is against the law, punishable by a fine or even jail time. States with anti-cheating laws generally define adultery as a married person having sexual intercourse with someone other than their spouse.