Divorce proceedings in Hong Kong and Macau
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David has suggested I start a separate Forum thread, instead of tacking my question about divorce cases in post-invasion Macau http://gwulo.com/comment/33461 on to the end of McCaskie’s June 1942 report of conditions in wartime Macau. Although my question concerns a member of my Hong Kong family, I meant to ask a more general question about the possible transference of Hong Kong law suits to Macau after the Japanese invasion. As post-invasion communications between the two apparently broke down, and the case in question was resolved as early as 5 January 1942, my feeling is that the divorce application must, for some reason I can’t fathom, have been tabled in Macau before the invasion. Was this a typical procedure to avoid publicity in the Hong Kong press? The divorce in question was between an Anglican priest and his Catholic wife. Perhaps a lawyer or a local historian could give a view about this.
Jill
re: the possible transference of Hong Kong law suits to Macau
Hi Jill,
I don't think there would have been any law suits transferred after the invasion, as there would have been too much other stuff going on.
I'm not sure it would even have been possible during peacetime. Wouldn't Macau and Hong Kong have operated under different legal systems?
I wonder if the Macau records are still available, as they shouldn't have been damaged during WW2.
Regards, David
Divorce in Macau
I think you're right, David, that my relative's husband must have been resident in Macau for some time in order for the divorce to go through there. As he is given as the Reverend John Cook, it would probably be possible to find out if he was a priest in the Anglican church there and from when. It's a minor loose end of my family research that would be nice to tie up, but not absolutely vital if it proves too difficult. The Hong Kong aspects are difficult enough!
Jill