Government plans Bill to reform marriage laws

BY A STAFF REPORTER
FVAR-REACHING reforms to Britain's matrimonial laws, which will end legal actions for breach of promise, enticement and seduction, and damages for adultery, are expected to be contained in a Government Bill to be published later this year.
The Bill will also include changes in the financial provision for husbands and wives after divorce, under the new rules proposed in the Divorce Reform Bill.
The reforms are being recommended by the Law Commission which has been studying matrimonial law for five years.
hree reports from the Cornmission will be submitted to the. Government shortly and the Bill is expected to he launched during the next Parliamentary session, starting in November.
It is hoped the proposals on financial provision for divorced people will answer the fears of opponents of the Divorce Reform Bill, who were worried that an innocent wife might be divorced against her will without adequate money to keep herself and her children.
Thenew measure will be known as the Family Law (Reform) Bill and its main provisions have already been drafted.
The Law Commission reports will he based on the determination to get rid of the laws introduced in Victorian and Edwardian times to protect women. who were then regarded as occupying an inferior status.