Couples forced into household isolation in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus are at risk of divorce, a leading lawyer has claimed.

Baroness Shackleton of Belgravia is a leading divorce lawyer whose previous clients have included Sir Paul McCartney, the Prince of Wales, Madonna and Liam Gallagher.

However, Baroness Shackleton claimed that Coronavirus is "very likely" to lead to an increase in marriage break-ups because of people being confined together for long periods in self-isolation in a bid to curb the spread of infection.

Official health advice states that if one person in a property has a persistent cough or fever, everyone living there should stay at home for 14 days.

However, nicknamed the "Steel Magnolia" for her skills and charm, Lady Shackleton told peers at Westminster: "The prediction amongst divorce lawyers is that following self-imposed confinement it is very likely that the divorce rate will rise. "Our peak times are after long exposure during the summer holidays and over Christmas. "One only has to imagine what it's going to be like when families are sealed in a property for a long period of time."

Her view was echoed by divorce lawyer Amanda Rimmer, who said confinement may bring "simmering tensions" to the surface. The partner from Stephensons Solicitors added: "For some, the prospect of being quarantined with their partner will be a welcome opportunity to spend time together, yet for others, it may force simmering tensions in their relationship to rise to the surface.

"Often when couples face serious and stressful situations it can lead some to re-evaluate their lives and what is important to them. "While we all try to navigate this pandemic as best as possible, it wouldn't surprise me if, when the dust settles, we do see an increase in couples seeking to end their relationship."

Jacqueline Fitzgerald, partner at Wilsons LLP, echoed the sentiment, adding that “another symptom of Coronavirus will be an increase in the divorce rate”.

“There are many couples who, to the outside world have a long and presumably happy marriage, but for some they can only achieve this because they spend a lot of time apart.

“You may have a couple married for 30+ plus years, and when the husband retires, they are forced to spend a lot of time together and he is back in the wife's territory and the whole dynamic changes. Sadly there will be many more silver divorcers in the months to come.”

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However not everyone said that household isolation would spell disaster for married couples. Simon Blain, partner at Forsters LLP, said: “The experience need not be negative and many families will enjoy the opportunity to spend some enforced downtime together, the modern equivalent in hunkering down in the Anderson shelter during the Blitz.” He did acknowledge, however, that “for others, the experience will bring simmering tension to the surface”.

“Whoever said that the epidemic is likely to lead to a boom in babies and divorces was probably right.” Lady Shackleton made her comments in the House of Lords during the second reading of the Private International Law (Implementation of Agreements) Bill.

The legislation would enable the implementation of international rules used to deal with cross-border legal disputes, including family law, post-Brexit.

However, Lady Shackleton raised concerns over the lack of provision relating to divorce. She said: "When we leave the EU there will be an enormous vacuum and there has been no direction to the judges or the people who practice in this area as to what is going to happen." The Bill received its second reading and now goes for line-by-line scrutiny.