Judge criticises “Hello magazine approach” to marriage

A High Court judge has stated that it would be “irresponsible” for the judiciary not to comment on the “appalling” rise in divorce cases. Sir Paul Coleridge, who sits in the Family Division as Mr Justice Coleridge has launched a campaign to save marriage and has compared failing to take action like a doctor failing to try and prevent illness.

He has described the effect the escalating divorce rate is having on society and believes that the “Hello magazine approach” to marriage has put less importance on couples making long-term relationships work.

In response to the growing number of divorces Sir Paul, 62, has launched the Marriage Foundation which has cost an estimated £150,000. The foundation aims to lobby for family-friendly policies, to hold seminars and to engage in research into helping marriage.

In an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme Sir Paul said: “There comes a time when sometimes you have to speak out in circumstances where you feel you know more than anybody involved in the debate,”

“I happen to think that the family judiciary have a contribution to make to this debate. Most of us have watched as the situation has gradually got more and more and more appalling and out of control and there comes a time when it is, I think, irresponsible to remain quiet.”

Sir Paul has previously commented on the ease of which a person can obtain a divorce by suggesting that it is easier than getting a driving licence. He however insists that he is not launching a moral campaign but just setting out the facts in a “non-preachy, non-didactic way”.

This entry was posted on Friday 11th May, 2012. Edit this entry.