A London law firm is offering divorce vouchers, which are reportedly proving a popular gift in the lead-up to Christmas.
The firm, Lloyd Platt & Co, is the first in Britain to offer vouchers, which cost 125 ($228) for 30 minutes legal advice or 250 for an hour, theDaily Mailreports.
The company has sold more than 50 vouchers since they first went on sale this month, with interest from husbands, wives and mistresses, theMailsaid.
But critics say the vouchers trivialise the personal tragedy in divorce, and have labelled the company cynical.
"Divorce is not a gift but a personal tragedy for both parties involved and it has far-reaching consequences that extend way beyond the couple themselves," Norman Wells, director of campaigners Family and Youth Concern, told theMail.
"This is quite simply a case of a law firm cynically seeking to exploit the vulnerability of people who find themselves under great pressure and stress at this time of year."
Company owner and divorce lawyer,Vanessa Lloyd Platt denied the vouchers encourage divorce, arguing they were "not kiss of death vouchers".
She said the idea for the vouchers came from a joke shared with the relative of a client who wanted to contribute to that client's divorce.
The vouchers are advertised on the company website, divorcesolicitors.com.
According to the website, the company has thrived because it operates under the motto: "The caring approach".
The website also has "Divorce FAQs", links to a story about Ms Platt starring in a dance documentaryLondon Tango, and a recipe page that includes a recipe for "Marriage Crumble".
"Food, relationships and happiness are very much interlinked and Lloyd Platt is now launching its recipe page so that members of the public, and celebrities alike, can send us their recipes to improve relationships," the page says.
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