Parsons v Sol. Gen. [1971] JJ 1745 (01 April 1971)

Parsons v Sol. Gen. [1971] JJ 1745 (01 April 1971)

At common law, a husband's failure to maintain his wife and children is a criminal offence, but a wife's matrimonial offence may constitute a defence to such a charge.

Citation
[1971] JJ 1745
Parties
Applicant: Parsons; Respondent: Solicitor General
Jurisdiction
Jersey
Judgment Date
01 April 1971
Procedural Posture
Criminal / Judgment
Outcome
judgment for respondent
Legal Topics
Failure to Maintain, Matrimonial Offence, Criminal Liability of Spouse
Family Law Criminal Law Failure to Maintain Matrimonial Offence Criminal Liability of Spouse

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 2 Party arguments 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Parsons

Applicant

Solicitor General

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal / Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether a husband's failure to maintain his wife and children constitutes a criminal offence at common law
  2. 2 Whether a wife's matrimonial offence is a defence to a charge of failure to maintain

Ratio Decidendi

At common law, a husband's failure to maintain his wife and children is a criminal offence, but a wife's matrimonial offence may constitute a defence to such a charge.

Court Disposition

judgment for respondent