The launch of the ‘Lawyers for Yes’ referendum campaign takes place at the Law Society, Blackhall Place, Dublin 7 on Tuesday 7 May at 5pm.

The campaign will be launched by barrister Catherine Ford, FLAC chair Peter Ward, FLAC chief executive Eilis Barry, family law practitioner Keith Walsh, and solicitor Muriel Walls.

Coalition

The coalition of lawyers is calling for a yes vote in the upcoming 24 May referendum.

A yes vote would change the constitutional provisions relating to two aspects of the regulation of divorce – how long people must be living apart before they can apply for a divorce; and the recognition of foreign divorces.

Family lawyer Keith Walsh told Gazette.ie: “It is important that those who have first-hand experience of the current difficulties created by the four-year waiting period for divorce come out and support the ‘Lawyers for Yes’ campaign. 

“The referendum proposal, if passed, will reduce the toll of a long-divorce waiting period on the children of the marriage, as well as the husband and wife,” he said.

Distress

“The change will also reduce the financial distress suffered by separating couples, by removing some of the duplication in the current system – making divorce within a reasonable period of time a reality, and so getting around the need for a legal separation.”