“Right to Virginity” in China is Worth $5,000

China: Raw Story reports that a woman was awarded $5,000 after suing a man—whom she dated and had a sexual relationship with—that she didn’t know was married.

The Chinese court ruled that the law protected the woman’s “right to virginity” as a “moral right” relating to “sexual freedom, sexual safety and sexual purity,” according to Raw Story. The court granted the plaintiff $5,000 in damages, versus the $81,000 she originally sought.

Alternatively, in Thailand, virginity is a property right as applicable to the practice of a groom giving a bride’s family a dowry. The bride’s virginity is one determining factor for the price of a dowry, which can be upheld under Thailand Family Law if the price is set in a formal agreement.

Read the full story here.

Simon Cowell Named In New York Divorce

It will have been impossible to have missed the recent headlines that Simon Cowell has been named in divorce papers. New York divorce law is one of the few American states that still allows a for cause divorce with adultery being a commonly plead cause.

However, this week it has been revealed that adultery is also a criminal misdemeanor under New York criminal law, and if convicted an individual can face up to 3 months imprisonment. It is highly unlikely that Simon would however face prosecution.

In Thailand divorce law, for cause divorces are also permitted if one spouse does not agree to the divorce. There are many different grounds for divorce in Thailand  which can also be pleaded.   A contested divorce however requires a judgment from the Court. If the petitioning spouse is now living abroad, a Thailand lawyer can file a divorce claim on their behalf.  However, they must appear in person when the divorce claim is heard by the court.

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Related Documents:
Thailand Divorce Law

Divorce:
Marriage and Divorce in Thailand: When Love Turns DeadlyThailand Marriage and Divorce: Thai Dream or Foreigner’s Nightmare?