In a week where the “leap day” will see women around the world seizing their quadrennial “right” to propose to their beaux, some – at least – are peering through the mists of romance and taking a steely look at how to handle things when they go sour.

While your glamorous correspondent does not as yet feature in Debrett’s Peerage & Baronetage (eligible bachelors take note), pronouncements from this time-honoured bastion of etiquette are always of interest, particularly when the topic under discussion is “the end of the affair”, as it were.

Debrett’s has teamed up with law firm Mishcon de Reya to launch what is essentially a guide to remaining civil and dignified during divorce – a situation when the gloves notoriously come off.

As any altar-phobe will tell you, one in three marriages ends in the divorce courts and tales abound of proceedings getting very nasty indeed – with the high net worth being no exception. The story of Lady Sarah Graham-Moon - who famously slashed up her husband’s Savile Row suits and left his vintage wine collection on neighbours’ doorsteps – has passed into legend. And of course it’s not just “the woman scorned” who can fall prey to the emotional upheaval that comes with separation.

Debrett’s Guide to Civilised Separation aims to be a handbook to help all parties act in a civilised and dignified manner – no easy task when emotions are running high. But as the book's authors point out, reducing animosity and distress needs to be a top priority, particularly when there are children involved. The book offers advice covering both the legal practicalities and the emotional side of things, aiming to be a comprehensive guide on how to work things out for the best. Some may see the launch of such a tome as a sad sign of the times, but the need for such a guide in today’s age is clear.

Mishcon de Reya, known for having represented the late Diana Princess of Wales in her divorce from Prince Charles, has itself been at the vanguard of efforts to make divorces more civilised all round. In 2009 the firm lobbied the UK government for the introduction of national “Conflict Clinics” as an alternative to the financial and emotional cost of family litigation. To be sure, anything which reduces the stress of what is, in fact, a major life trauma is to be lauded.

Divorce may be the last thing on the minds of all those brave ladies getting down on bended knee today, but unfortunately the statistics dictate they should keep Debrett’s guide in mind. Just in case.