How to cancel Simple divorce in ireland and recover your fee
What Simple divorce is and why cancellation matters
Simple Divorce is an Ireland-based legal services company that manages uncontested divorce paperwork on a fixed-fee basis. You pay a single upfront amount instead of hourly solicitor rates, and the company handles document preparation, filing, and guidance through to finalisation. This model works well for straightforward cases with no children and no financial disputes. However, circumstances change. Your case may become contested, you and your spouse may reconcile, or you may discover you need specialist legal advice that Simple cannot provide. Understanding how to cancel-and what rights protect you-is essential.
The fixed-fee model and why it affects cancellation
Simple Divorce operates on a fixed, one-time payment structure, not a monthly subscription. This means your right to cancel and receive a refund depends on two things: how far through the divorce process you are, and which stage you cancel at. If you cancel before any work has begun, your position is stronger. If the company has already prepared documents or submitted filings, refund terms become more complex. This is where Irish consumer law steps in.
Common reasons for cancellation
You might cancel because your spouse now contests the divorce terms. You might cancel because you and your spouse have reconciled. You might discover undisclosed assets or child-arrangement complexities that the fixed-fee service cannot handle. You might cancel because you are unhappy with communication, turnaround times, or service quality. You might cancel simply because you have decided to instruct a solicitor directly instead. Whatever your reason, you have legal protections under Irish law that give you a clear path to recover your money.
Your consumer rights under irish law
Irish consumer law protects you when you buy services, including divorce-related legal services, from a business operating in Ireland.
Consumer rights act 2022 and the 14-day cooling-off period
Ireland's Consumer Rights Act 2022 implements the Consumer Rights Directive into national law. Under this act, if you purchase a service at a distance-by phone, email, or online-you have a 14-day cooling-off period. This means you can cancel without giving any reason and receive a full refund within 14 days of purchase, subject to one exception: the company may deduct the cost of services already delivered to you.
In practice, if you pay the €699 fee on day one and cancel on day five before Simple has started work, you receive €699 back. If you cancel on day five after Simple has already prepared and filed your divorce documents (a service with measurable value), the company may deduct that cost. However, the deduction must be proportionate and transparent. The company cannot simply refuse to refund on the grounds that you "changed your mind."
After 14 days, the cooling-off period ends. Your right to cancel then depends on the terms of your service agreement with Simple and any implied protections in consumer law. Yafee advises consumers to always check their terms before the cooling-off window closes.
Your right to clear terms and a transparent refund policy
The company must provide you with its cancellation and refund policy in clear, legible form before you pay. If Simple has not done so, or if the policy is buried in unclear legal language, you have grounds to dispute any refund denial. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022, unfair contract terms-including hidden cancellation clauses-are not binding on you.
Your legal position: You are entitled to receive a copy of Simple's full terms of service, including its cancellation and refund policy, before payment. If you do not have this in writing, request it immediately from Simple's customer service team.
Relevant enforcement bodies in ireland
If Simple Divorce refuses to honour your cancellation request or refund, you can escalate to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). The CCPC enforces consumer rights across Ireland and can investigate complaints of unfair terms, misleading information, or breach of the Consumer Rights Act 2022. Yafee recommends keeping all correspondence with Simple to support any complaint you file with the CCPC.
How to cancel Simple divorce step by step
Follow a recorded, verifiable method to cancel. This creates a clear audit trail and protects you if a dispute arises later.
Step 1: gather your account information
Before you contact Simple, collect the following:
- Your full name and date of birth
- Your email address associated with the account
- The phone number you provided when you registered
- Your case reference number (if issued)
- The date you paid the €699 fee
- A copy of your payment receipt or invoice
- Your spouse's full name (if you have shared this with Simple)
This information helps Simple process your cancellation quickly and confirms your identity. It also helps you verify the date of your cancellation request later, which matters for the 14-day cooling-off deadline.
Step 2: write a clear cancellation letter
Prepare a written cancellation notice on your own letterhead or in a simple email. The letter must include:
- Your full name and contact details
- Your case reference number (if you have one)
- The date you paid the €699 fee
- The statement: "I hereby cancel my Simple Divorce service and request a full refund."
- The date you are submitting the cancellation request
- If you are within 14 days of purchase, add: "This cancellation is made within the 14-day cooling-off period under the Consumer Rights Act 2022."
- Your signature (if sending by post) or your typed name (if sending by email)
Keep the letter short and direct. Do not over-explain your reasons or apologise. This is a formal notice, and clarity matters more than detail.
Step 3: send your cancellation by registered post (recommended)
Registered post creates a third-party record of delivery. An Ireland Post Office date-stamps your letter, and you receive a tracking number proving the letter reached Simple's address. This is the strongest evidence if a refund dispute later arises. Yafee strongly recommends this method.
- Address your letter to: Simple Divorce, [email protected] or the postal address listed on Simple's website (confirm the address before posting)
- Take the letter to your nearest An Post office
- Request registered post (also called "Registered Letter Service")
- Pay the small fee (approximately €3-4)
- Retain your receipt and tracking number
- Wait for the delivery confirmation card to be returned to you (this proves Simple received the letter)
Do not discard your receipt, tracking number, or delivery confirmation. Keep these for at least 12 months.
Step 4: send a follow-up email (for speed and a second record)
On the same day you post your letter, send an identical cancellation email to [email protected]. Include the same information: your name, case reference, date of payment, and cancellation statement. Request a read receipt so you have proof the email was opened. This gives you two records of your cancellation request and often speeds up the company's response.
Step 5: track your refund and follow up if necessary
Simple should acknowledge your cancellation within 3-5 working days. Under consumer law, the company has 14 days from the date it receives your cancellation to refund your money (or to explain in writing why it is deducting a service charge). If Simple does not respond within 5 days, or if it refuses to refund, send a follow-up email with the subject line: "Refund Request Not Acknowledged - Escalation to CCPC."
In the follow-up email, state your cancellation date, reference your registered post tracking number or original email timestamp, and ask the company to confirm receipt and the date you can expect your refund. Give Simple a further 5 working days to respond.
Understanding your refund rights and timescales
Refunds are not always 100 percent, and timescales vary depending on when you cancel.
Within 14 days of purchase (cooling-off period)
If you cancel within 14 days of paying the €699 fee, you are entitled to a full refund minus the cost of services already delivered. In most cases, if you cancel before Simple has filed documents with the court, you receive the full €699 back. If the company has already incurred costs-for example, it has prepared your divorce documents and submitted them to court-it may deduct a proportionate fee, but this deduction must be reasonable and transparent. For example, the company cannot deduct 50 percent simply because you cancelled halfway through. The deduction must reflect the actual work completed.
After 14 days (outside the cooling-off period)
Once the 14-day window closes, your refund depends on Simple's service agreement. Most well-drafted agreements allow cancellation with notice, but refunds may be subject to conditions. Some agreements offer full refunds if you cancel before a certain stage (e.g., before court filing). Others offer partial refunds or none at all after work has begun. Read your agreement carefully. If your agreement is silent on cancellation after 14 days, the Consumer Rights Act 2022 implies a right to cancel with reasonable notice, and you may be entitled to a partial or full refund depending on the circumstances.
Refund timescale
Once Simple approves your refund, the company must issue it within 14 days. If you paid by debit or credit card, the refund appears in your bank account within 3-5 working days after Simple initiates it. If you paid by bank transfer, the refund may take slightly longer depending on your bank. Request your refund by bank transfer to the same account you paid from whenever possible.
Pricing and what you are cancelling
Understanding what you have paid for helps you negotiate any deductions Simple might claim.
| Service |
Fee (EUR) |
What is included |
Cancellation impact |
| Standard divorce package |
€699 |
Divorce paperwork preparation, court filing, guidance to finalisation |
Full refund if cancelled before any work; partial refund if documents are prepared; no refund if case is finalised |
| Add-on: solicitor review |
€150 |
Optional legal review of documents before filing |
Refunded if not yet delivered |
| Add-on: mediation referral |
€50 |
Referral to accredited mediator |
Refunded if not yet used |
If you purchased the standard package plus add-ons, your total fee may exceed €699. When you cancel, itemise which components you want refunded. For example, if you paid €849 total (€699 base plus €150 solicitor review) and cancel before the solicitor review is delivered, you should receive €150 back. Yafee advises tracking each add-on separately to avoid disputes.
After cancellation: what happens next
Cancelling Simple Divorce is straightforward, but the days after cancellation require your attention.
Monitor your bank account and email
Check your email daily for Simple's refund confirmation. Once you receive it, check your bank account within 3-5 working days for the refund deposit. If it does not arrive, contact your bank to verify the payment has been initiated by Simple. Keep the refund confirmation email for your records.
Handle your divorce case separately
Cancelling Simple Divorce does not cancel your actual divorce. If your case has already been filed with the court, you must instruct a solicitor to take it forward or apply to the court to withdraw or amend your case. This is a separate legal step. Do not assume cancellation stops the divorce process. Yafee recommends consulting a solicitor immediately if your divorce has reached the court filing stage.
Keep all correspondence
File every email, letter, receipt, and tracking number related to your cancellation and refund for at least one year. If a dispute arises-for example, if Simple claims you cancelled outside the 14-day window-you will need this evidence to support your position with the CCPC.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling
Cancellation is a simple process, but small mistakes can delay your refund or weaken your legal position if you need to escalate.
Mistake 1: cancelling by phone without follow-up documentation
If you cancel Simple Divorce by phone, the company has no written record. If a dispute later arises, you have no proof you called or when. The company may deny you ever cancelled at all. Always send a written cancellation notice by post or email, even if you also cancel by phone. This creates an undeniable record.
Mistake 2: missing the 14-day cooling-off deadline
The 14-day period runs from the date you pay, not from the date you first contact Simple. If you pay on a Friday and cancel the following Friday (8 days later), you are within the window. If you cancel on day 15, you are outside it. Mark the 14-day deadline on your calendar the moment you pay. If you think you might cancel, do not wait.
Mistake 3: not itemising what you have paid for
If you purchased the base package plus add-ons, specify in your cancellation letter which items you have not received and which you want refunded. For example: "I paid €849 on 1 October 2024. This includes the €699 standard package and the €150 solicitor review. I have not received the solicitor review. I request a refund of €150." This prevents Simple from later claiming confusion about what you paid.
Mistake 4: accepting a partial refund without questioning it
If Simple offers a partial refund, ask in writing why the company is deducting money. What work has actually been completed? What is the cost of that work? If the deduction seems disproportionate-for example, the company deducts €300 for sending a single email-challenge it. Yafee recommends requesting an itemised breakdown of any deduction before you accept it.
Mistake 5: not escalating to the CCPC if Simple refuses
If Simple refuses to refund you within 14 days, or if it offers an unfair partial refund, file a complaint with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. The CCPC has the power to compel refunds and penalise businesses that breach consumer rights. Most companies capitulate once CCPC involvement is mentioned. Do not accept a "no" from Simple without first escalating.
Comparison: when to cancel versus when to continue
Cancellation is not always the right choice. In some cases, continuing with Simple or pausing to reassess is better.
| Situation |
Recommendation |
Why |
| Your case is still uncontested and straightforward |
Continue with Simple |
You save the cost of a solicitor. Simple can deliver the service as promised. |
| Your spouse now contests the terms; you need legal advice |
Cancel and instruct a solicitor |
Simple cannot handle contested cases. You need full legal representation. Cancelling within 14 days recovers most of your fee. |
| You are uncertain but still within 14 days of purchase |
Cancel now and instruct a solicitor |
You recover your €699. The 14-day window closes once-take advantage of it. |
| You are more than 14 days in; case is uncontested |
Continue with Simple |
You are outside the cooling-off period. A partial refund may not be worth the effort. Complete the divorce with Simple and save legal fees. |
| You are more than 14 days in; case has become contested |
Cancel and escalate to CCPC if Simple refuses |
Simple cannot serve you. You may be entitled to a partial refund. The CCPC can enforce your rights. |
Use the following contact information to submit your cancellation or escalate a refund dispute.
Simple divorce cancellation address
Send your registered post cancellation letter to the address listed on Simple's website. If no postal address is publicly available, use: Simple Divorce, [email protected]. Follow up with an identical email within one hour of posting.
Email contact (primary)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01 437 8359
In your email subject line, write: "Cancellation Request and Refund - [Your Name]"
Escalation: competition and consumer protection commission
If Simple refuses to refund you or does not respond within 14 days, file a complaint with the CCPC:
Website: www.ccpc.ie
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01 402 5555
Address: Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, 4 Harcourt Road, Dublin 2, D02 W773
Provide the CCPC with copies of your cancellation letter, email, refund confirmation (if issued), and any correspondence with Simple showing the refund dispute. The CCPC will investigate and, if appropriate, compel Simple to refund your money in full.
Key takeaway: your rights and next steps
Cancelling Simple Divorce is your right as an Irish consumer. If you cancel within 14 days of purchase, you are protected by the Consumer Rights Act 2022 and can recover your €699 fee (less any proportionate service costs already incurred). If you cancel after 14 days, your right to refund depends on Simple's terms, but you still have the right to cancel. If Simple refuses to honour your cancellation or offers an unfair refund, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission can enforce your rights.
Follow the steps in this guide: gather your information, write a clear cancellation letter, send it by registered post and email, and track your refund. If Simple does not refund within 14 days of receiving your cancellation, escalate immediately to the CCPC. Do not accept delay or evasion.
Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel service agreements and recover their fees by following a clear, documented process and understanding their legal position under Irish law. Your cancellation is straightforward if you follow this guide. Yafee is your resource for consumer rights guidance every step of the way. For further support or to understand your specific circumstances, consult a consumer law specialist or contact the CCPC directly. Yafee remains your trusted reference for contract cancellation in Ireland.