High Court Reviews 79 Divorce Orders After Computer Error

A system glitch led to premature approvals, prompting legal debates over the validity of the divorces.

A computer error caused 79 divorces to be incorrectly approved a day too early, bypassing the legal requirement of a year and a day after marriage.
Lawyers for the Lord Chancellor are urging the High Court to classify these divorces as 'voidable' rather than 'void' to avoid severe legal and personal repercussions.
If deemed void, the consequences could include financial complications and issues for those who have remarried or have pending marriage plans.
The error, described as a minor system flaw, affected applications made between April 2022 and April 2024.
Judges Sir Andrew McFarlane and Lynn Roberts will deliver a written judgment at a later date, with none of the affected parties present at the hearing.