THE DENNISTOUNS

Southland Times, Issue 19501, 16 March 1925, Page 7

THE DENNISTOUNS

VALIDITY OF THE DIVORCE THE FRENCH WAY INTERESTING PIECE OF EVIDENCE. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright). 'Sun Cable). LONDON, March 13. In the Dennistoun case a French barrister gave evidence regarding the validity of the Dennistouns’ divorce; also 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 some times 72 Judges sat in the French Court of Appeal, whose judgment was confined to facts. A particular case 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 French law, and no French legal phrase equivalent to collusive divorce; but collusion was contrary

to public order, and if collusion was subsequently proved a divorce would stand, but the Judge would not uphold the agreement to pay alimony. If a wife had good grounds for divorce she was not compelled to disclose her own misconduct to the courts. France avoided publicity in connection with divorces, and the names of women corespondents were seldom disclosed in court, while th* newspapers were not allowed to report the cases.