THE British government's bitterly contested family law reforms finally won Commons approval last night, signalling an end to the "quickie" divorce.
Labour granted ministers a last minute reprieve, deciding to vote in favour of the troubled Family Law Bill at the 11th hour - but only after wringing a Government concession over the" splitting of pensions.
Voting was 427 votes to nine to give the Bill a third reading, with a massive government majority of 418.
But the extent of Tory unease over the Bill was revealed earlier in the evening when "pro family" rebels were joined by five Cabinet ministers and 15 other ministers in a bid to insist that couples wait a minimum of 21 months for a divorce, instead of 18 months.
In what was technically a free vote, the sight of so many ministers joining "pro family" rebels was nonetheless an embarrassment to the government, even though the attempt failed.
Labour decided to back the Bill only after the government bowed to a key opposition clause to allow divorcing couples to divide pension rights accrued during the marriage.
The government climbdown came after Labour's legal affairs spokesman, Mr Paul Boateng, dramatically repeated his threat to wreck the Bill unless ministers agreed to strengthen their commitment to pension splitting.
Ministers went on to make a series of further concessions in an attempt to ensure backing for one of the most controversial pieces of legislation in recent memory.
The Lord Chancellor, Lord Mackay, who was the architect of the Bill, had looked likely to resign if his reforms - which are one of the centrepieces of the Government's legislative programme - failed.
Yet as the Bill began its final Commons stages yesterday evening, both Labour and a group of "pro family" Tories, led by former minister Mr Edward Leigh refused to say whether they would back, or block, the measure.
Under the Bill the existing system, which allows "quickie" divorces on grounds such as adultery or unreasonable behaviour, will be scrapped.
Instead, "no fault" divorces will be allowed after a period of 18 months, which includes three months for reconciliation.
Separated couples will also be encouraged to go for marriage counselling and mediation.
But divorces will be granted after one year in marriages where there are no children under 16 and where both parents consent to the divorce, or if is a clear case of domestic violence.
Courts will be able to delay a divorce if it would cause financial or other hardship.
The Bill now has to return the Lords for final approval.