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SCMP Reporter

A ROCKETING divorce rate has prompted calls for an extra judge to be appointed to the Family Court to deal with its heavy workload.

  Family lawyers yesterday attributed the rise to women's increasing independence and a stronger social and financial position.

 They said women were more aware of their rights and were no longer prepared to 'put up and shut up'.

 Statistics show the divorce rate has almost doubled in the past decade and is now increasing by eight per cent a year.

 Last year, there were 9,272 divorces compared with 4,764 in 1984. The figure for this year is expected to top the 10,000 mark.

 The Judiciary has asked the Government to create a fourth permanent judge to hear cases.

 It is understood the new judge would probably be a barrister or solicitor who has specialised in family law.

 The chairman of the Family Law Association, solicitor Sharon Ser, said: 'Divorce rates are already running at the 5,000 level and we are only halfway through the year.

  'It's partly because women are unwilling to be trapped in difficult marriages any more. They've also got a good deal more financial independence than they've had in the past.

 'Hong Kong is following the same trends as most other countries. People who are unhappy in marriages no longer sit and sweat it out.'  The Legislative Council still has to agree to the extra post, but is expected to make a decision within months.

 Experienced family lawyer Elaine Longmore agreed the rise in divorce was partly due to the growing recognition of women's rights.

 'I've seen a big change. When I came to Hong Kong in 1982 there were around 3,000 cases a year. Now it is around 9,000 a year,' she said.

 'Women particularly have realised they do have rights and want to do something about it. In the past, women put up and shut up, but they are more aware of their rights now.

 'There's an awful lot more women's organisations and domestic violence has been given greater recognition.'  She said the court's workload had increased because more divorces and financial settlements were being disputed.

 'It's become a much more sophisticated exercise all round,' she said. 'There is more awareness in the legal profession that finances must be carefully worked out.'  One of two possible candidates, Bruno Chan or Anthony Hung, has been tipped to join Judge Gill, Judge de Souza and Judge Hartmann, as they have both acted as deputy judges to the court.

   The call for an extra judge follows a change in the law which will make it easier for people to divorce.



Divorce increase sparks judge call