Marriage maid in hell

Obiter’s reminiscences about ‘hired help’ in arranging divorces of yesteryear (8 June 2012) struck a chord with solicitor-advocate Joanna Orlebar-Reid, of John Collis Solicitors. ‘It reminded me of a tale I was told about a man who, to facilitate a divorce based on his adultery, booked himself into a Brighton hotel and arranged for a lady to be seen in his bed by the chambermaid in the morning. He gave the chambermaid a white £5 note as an aide memoire.’

In court, however, the chambermaid categorically denied that she had seen anyone in bed with the respondent. ‘When his rather puzzled barrister asked about the denial, he was told: “He was such a nice gentleman; I did not want him to get into trouble”! I am not sure that he ever did get a divorce after that.’