FRENCH DIVORCE LAW.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18332, 16 March 1925, Page 9

FRENCH DIVORCE LAW.

EVIDENCE IN DENNISTOUN CASE (BI CABLE —FBEBB ASSOCIATION—COITRWHT.) (Stdnbi "Suh" Sebvice.) LONDON, March 13. The Dennistoun case was continued to-day, when a French barrister gave evidence regarding tho validity of the Denmstofan's divorce, and whether the parties were able to make a binding agreement relating to alimony or the payment of a lump sum without reference to the Court. Witness astounded the Court by declaring that sometimes 72 judges sat in the French Court of Appeal, whose judgment was confined to the facts of the particular caso and did not become a precedent binding in the Lower Courts, which frequently did not follow the decisions of the Higher Court. There was no finality in the French law, and no French legal phrase equivalent to "collusive divorce," but collusion was contrary to public order. If collusion were subsequently proved the divorce would stand, but tho Judge would not uphold the agreement to pay alimony. If the wife had good grounds for divorce she was not compelled to disclose her own misconduct to the Court. Franco avoided publicity in connexion with divorces. The names of women co-respondents were seldom disclosed in Court, and the newspapers were not allowed to report cases.