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29 April 2020 / David Burrows
Issue: 7884 / Categories: Features , Family , Divorce
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Henry VIII & a Divorce Bill

Henry VIII divorce bill
The time has come to consider the plight of the increasing numbers of people who are outside the pale of UK marriage laws, says David Burrows

My brother Gold in ‘Blame still alive’ tells of delays still over the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill due to decisions needed on rules and an online system for divorce (see ‘Civil Way’, Stephen Gold, NLJ columnist, 31 January 2020, p15). As I mention below the only thing left for judges is to decide if a period for the divorce process can be shortened. The question of why registering a divorce application—like a marriage or death—needs to involve the courts at all is unclear. Parallel money issues will stay. After JK v MK & anor [2020] EWFC 2, Mostyn J (declaration that a consent order application prepared one company acting for both spouses was not a conflict of interest) the whole case —ancillary aspects and all—can just be a matter of simple registration too.

Meanwhile the Bill ploughs

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Bell Yard Kysen—Liz Giles

Bell Yard Kysen—Liz Giles

Bell Yard Kysen appoints senior legal PR and ex-government communications adviser, Liz Giles

Clarke Willmott—Lee Edwards

Clarke Willmott—Lee Edwards

Clarke Willmott boosts Southampton commercial property team with addition of partner Lee Edwards

Lime Solicitors—four promotions

Lime Solicitors—four promotions

Lime Solicitors announces four promotions

NEWS
The Attorney General, Ellie Reeves KC MP, and Solicitor General, Andy Slaughter KC MP, marked the 25th anniversary of Pro Bono Week by joining lawyers, charities, students and parliamentarians at events celebrating voluntary legal work
A polished legal defence may owe more to artificial intelligence than legal merit—and creditors risk paying the price in delay and expense
Witness evidence can be compromised by AI before a solicitor sees the draft, leaving safeguards focused on authorship incomplete
Possession claims are entering a new digital era, with procedural traps awaiting practitioners who assume familiar rules still govern every step
The Environment Agency can prosecute offences beyond environmental legislation where proceedings support its statutory functions, the Divisional Court has confirmed
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