A woman who wants to divorce her husband on the grounds she is unhappy has lost her Supreme Court appeal.
Tini Owens, 68, from Worcestershire, wanted the court to grant her a divorce from her husband of 40 years Hugh, who is refusing the split.
The Supreme Court unanimously rejected the appeal, meaning she must remain married until 2020.
Mrs Owens’ solicitor said she was “devastated” by the decision and “cannot move forward with her life”.
Under the current law in England and Wales, unless people can prove their marriage has broken down due to adultery, unreasonable behaviour or desertion, the only way to obtain a divorce without a spouse’s consent is to live apart for five years.
Following the ruling, the Ministry of Justice said: "The current system of divorce creates unnecessary antagonism in an already difficult situation.
“We are already looking closely at possible reforms to the system.”
The couple were married in 1978 and have two adult children.
Mrs Owens said she had been contemplating a divorce since 2012, but did not leave the matrimonial home until February 2015.
