France wants to allow divorce without a judge

The French government plans to allow divorce by mutual consent to proceed without a judge, to simplify and accelerate the process.

Details are to be discussed at the lower house of Parliament during a debate starting on Tuesday on a bill to modernise the country’s justice system.

Family associations have expressed fears that the best interests of children would not be protected enough.

Justice Minister Jean-Jacques Urvoas said the process would cost about €50 at the notary office. Each spouse would be required to have a lawyer. The divorce would still need to be pronounced by a judge if a child requests to be heard by a magistrate.

Mr. Urvoas told France Inter radio on Tuesday he wants judges “to focus on the litigious divorce cases.”