Court disputes between divorcing couples over money have risen by 20 percent to 3,176 in the last year alone, according to figures from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).

This is an increase from the 2,650 for the previous year, said law firm Boodle Hatfield.

The disputes over money comprised 2,284 couples disputing the value of the lump sum paid as part of their divorce settlement and 892 couples disputing the periodical payments by one partner to support their ex-spouse after the divorce.

This sharp increase in court disputes is surprising as changes to the divorce process have been made to try and encourage the...