Archive for May, 2014

In a case which raised novel issues of international law in the context of divorce – and which resulted in a wife unwittingly entering into a bigamous marriage – the High Court has ruled that a Russian couple who divorced in their national consulate in London remained married under the laws of the United Kingdom. Following the breakdown of their childless relationship, the former couple attended the Russian consulate and obtained certificates of divorce. There was no dispute that they had been divorced in accordance with the laws of the Russian Federation. The wife had subsequently re-married in America. The husband had planned to marry his fiancée in England before a question mark was raised as to his marital status. In consequence, she had to temporarily leave Britain. The former couple made common cause in seeking a declaration that they had been ... Read more