MB v TB

MB v TB

The wife issued the petition with genuine intent to divorce and took steps to effect valid service. English procedural law imposes no time limit for service, and the only requirement is to serve. The wife did not abuse process nor fail to take required steps. The English court is first seised and retains jurisdiction.

Parties
Applicant: MB; Respondent: TB
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
31 July 2018
Procedural Posture
Divorce Petition Jurisdictional Dispute / Judgment on Jurisdiction and Abuse of Process
Outcome
English court is first seised; wife's petition is not an abuse of process; valid service effected.
Legal Topics
Divorce, Jurisdiction, Service of Process, Abuse of Process, Council Regulation (ec) 2201/2003, EU Service Regulation

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Parties

MB

Applicant

TB

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Divorce Petition Jurisdictional Dispute / Judgment on Jurisdiction and Abuse of Process

  1. 1 Whether the wife's divorce petition was an abuse of process
  2. 2 Whether the wife failed to take required steps to effect service on the husband under English law

Ratio Decidendi

The wife issued the petition with genuine intent to divorce and took steps to effect valid service. English procedural law imposes no time limit for service, and the only requirement is to serve. The wife did not abuse process nor fail to take required steps. The English court is first seised and retains jurisdiction.

Court Disposition

English court is first seised; wife's petition is not an abuse of process; valid service effected.

Orders

  • Petition to proceed to next stage in English court