The Gazette 1975

it is easier in some foreign Countries such as Santo Domingo. Divorce was obtainable in England for parties dom- iciled there on three main grounds:. (1) Adultery; (2) Desertion; (3) Incurable Unsoundness of Mind. These grounds are now being widened by allowing consent of the parties, and agreement to separate for two years if the Respondent does not object, otherwise five years. The main difficulty so far as Irish Citizens are con- cerned is the question of jurisdiction but since 1st January 1974 one years "habitual residence" in England is now sufficient. Conclusion: So much for Divorce and Separation. I would like to finish by quoting from a book by Dr. Mary Macaulay who was not only a medical doctor in England but a Magistrate. The boik is entitled "Marriage for the Married" and in it she says "The first necessary adjust- ment in a happy marriage is to learn how to work in double harness, so that instead of finding the close- ness of the partnership irksome, husband and wife discover that the old saying really is true, that troubles are halved and joys increased when they are shared. Happy marriage is never found ready made, it is the result of loving consideration and hard work on the part of two people who are determined to make it a success." Dublin Solicitors' Bar Association The Annual Dinner of the Society was held in the Library of Solicitors' Buildings on Saturday, 7th December, 1974. Amongst the guests were the Presi- dent of the High Court (Mr. Justice O'Keeffe), the President of the Circuit Court (Judge Conroy), Judge Ryan, Judge Barrett, Judge Sheehy, Judge Clarke, the President of the District Court (Justice O'Flynn) and some of the District Justices attached to the Dublin area. The toast of "Our Guests" was proposed by the President of the Association, Mr. Patrick Golden, and responded to by Judge Gerard Clarke. The toast of "The Association" was proposed by Commdt. James Liddy, Deputy Judge Advocate-General, and responded to by Mr. Rory O'Donnell. In accordance with custome, Mr. Rory O'Connor arranged the musical programme which was enjoyed by all.

time being can contract in this Country a valid second marriage. But it does not purport to interfere with the present law that dissolution of marriage by foreign Courts, where the parties are domiciled within the juris- diction of those Courts, will be recognised as effective here. Nor does it in any way invalidate the remarriage of such persons". After the Mayo Perrott case there was no further Irish authority on the problem until the case of the Bank of Ireland v, Caffin (1971) IR 123, a Testator had divorced his wife in England in 1956, both then being domiciled there. Later he remarried in the Registry Office in Dublin, his new wife being domiciled in Ireland. He died in 1970 and on a claim under the Succession Act 1965 Judge Kenny had to decide if his Irish wife (i.e. the second) had become his lawful spouse, i.e. did the Irish Courts recognise the divorce in England in 1956. He agreed with what Judge Kings- mill Moore had said in the Mayo Perrott case and held that the English decree of divorce should be recognised. The Testator was therefore free to remarry in Dublin although he had been divorced, and his second wife was entitled to her share under the Succession Act. (Intestate = Spouse §; Children Testate = If Child- ren £ to Spouse; If no Children, \ to Spouse. Let us now turn to the question as to whether Irish Citizens can be divorced abroad? Association of Irish Jurists A meeting was held on Monday, 25th November, 1974 in order to re-organise the Association which had been moribund since 1969. Mr. Hugh O'Flaherty, B.L. presided and was eventually appointed Acting Chairman, Miss Barbara Hussey, Vice-Chairman and Mr. Colum Kenny, B.L., as Secretary and Treasurer. Amongst the solicitors elected to the acting Committee in order to draft a revised Constitution were the incoming President, Mr. Osborne, the incoming Senior Vice-President, Mr. P. C. Moore, and Mr. Maurice Kenny. It was decided to set up two Sub-Committees on some aspect of Family Law, and on some aspect of the Law of Evidence, which would eventually produce Reports. It was thought that no useful purpose could be served by lectures unless they were given by distinguished foreigners. Mr. Sean MacBride, S.C., former Secretary-General of the International Com- mission of Jurists, and now United Nations Com- missioner for Namibia, was to be notified of the revival of the Association. The answer is in the affirmative but there are difficulties so far as England is concerned, although

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