Half of UK divorces rely on private eyes

Almost 50 per cent of the divorces in Britain last year enlisted the help of a private investigator, according to new research.

A survey of 100 matrimonial lawyers by Grant Thornton has found that, in 2006, 49 per cent of divorce cases came as a result of an investigator determining whether or not one half of a couple was guilty of infidelity.

The research from the financial and business advice group also revealed an increase in the number or people citing extra-marital affairs as reason for the collapse of their marriage, and a decrease in the number of people citing physical or emotional abuse.

Grant Thornton's head of matrimonial practice in London, Andrea McLaren, said: "For the fourth year running our survey has shown that extramarital affairs are the primary reason cited for the breakdown of marriages in the UK.

"As this figure continues to rise it is little wonder that the number of individuals using private investigators increased."

Moreover, the survey found that 30 per cent of divorcing women made use of a private investigator, compared to 19 per cent of divorcing men.