I have been married for 4 years, no kids. I am a British citizen and my husband is from outside EU in India. We married in India and he lived with me for 2 years in UK and since then we have been separated with him being in India.
We have been separated for just under 2 years with him being in home country since our separation. I was also abroad for 5 months of the last 12 months and going to relocate to another EU country very soon - this was held up due to covid.
However my spouse has now initiated divorce proceedings in the UK.
I wanted to understand if there is a valid jurisdiction here? The only one I believe is with me being a habitual resident of the UK. But if 1.) I am relocating out of the UK in a matter of weeks (this would have been earlier if it was not for covid) and 2.) I was out of UK for 5 months of the last 12 months - are there any grounds for the divorce proceedings to go ahead in the UK on the basis of me being a habitual resident?
Can I ask the court to quash his petition? His Indian solicitor previously contacted me saying he wants to divorce in India and I had acknowleged giving my consent for a divorce in India, however he has changed his mind and has suddenly issued a petition in the UK - again this fact has also been witheld from the court that he and his Indian solicitor sent a letter to me for a divorce in India (no court proceedings were started, just his solicitor letter to me).
Appreciate any help