Divorce after 5 years separation

Hi,

My partner has been separated from his wife for 5 1/2 yrs. In September he decided to apply for divorce on the grounds of 5 years separation. His wife still lives in FMH (it is rented) and we know this as they have mutual friends who have said she still lives there. She has not returned any paperwork so he applied to the court to ask for it to be considered deemed and for him to apply for Decree Nisi.

The reply he got was that it was premature to apply for this and that there was other options such as baliff.

Our hours at work have been cut so after paying £340 to apply for a divorce and then a further £40 for it to be deemed served we cant afford another £105 for a baliff.

The court have said he can write to the judge to state he disagrees with the discision and one suggestion he was given was to provide proof that she still lives there. Has anyone got experience of this? What should he put and what evidence would be accepted? Or any suggestions as to what he should do?

Thanks

If she is registered on the electoral roll get a copy from www.192.com and send this to the judge explaining that your budget is tight.

Charles