French lawyers oppose possible divorce law changes

Proposed changes to French divorce laws have been met with strong opposition from the country's lawyers, who yesterday (Wednesday) showed their disapproval by going on a one-day strike.

The protest was against a possible reform which would see lawyers made redundant for many divorce cases. Justice minister Rachida Dati has unveiled a plan which would allow such cases to be handled by notaries public rather than judges.

It has been argued by the lawyers opposed to the plan that the cost of divorce would not necessarily be lowered if it was put into action, as many notaries charge their clients as much as lawyers do.

Lawyers in Pontoise, north of Paris, staged their protest in the city courthouse. Across the country courtrooms were much quieter than usual with a small number of cases being handled, the Associated Press reports.

According to the CNB, the organisation which represents the 46,000 lawyers in France, the strike was respected by almost all of the country's bar associations.

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