Changes to Marriage and Divorce process proposed

Spain's Minister for Justice, Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón, spoke of the possibility of introducing measures to allow both Marriages and divorces to take place at the offices of a public notary.

The proposal intends to reduce the time and costs currently involved, and will allow judges to spend more time on more pressing legal matters.

With Divorces , the case will only need to be brought before a judge when once of the party does not consent to the divorce.

In an interview with Cope Radio the Minister acknowledged that Spain had a tradition of getting the judiciary involved in many issues that could be dealt with elsewhere, and as a result the legal system was getting 'bogged-down'.

He went on to say how it made little sense for a couple wishing to divorce, and who were in agreement with each other, to divorce infront of a notary as opposed to having to embark on a lengthy and costly legal process. With rgeards to the issue of marriage, he commented "If a mayor can authorise a marriage, I see no reason why a notary cannot do the same".