SCOTS LAW AND ENGLISH [To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR]
Sta,—I read with interest the recent article by Mr. Archibald Crawford, K.C., calling attention to three domains of law in which " Scots law is better than English," and also the Rev. Mr. Auty's subsequent letter on the subject of irregular marriages in Scotland by which, as he puts it, " legally valid unions are contracted at Gretna Green and elsewhere in Scotland." I gather that Mr. Auty would like on that matter to see Scots law brought into accord with English law, which does not countenance anything irregular.
My wife and I, and many of our friends, have been willing victims of what the legislature has been pleased to call " irregular marriages."
They are part of a system under which, for hundreds of years, Scottish citizens have been able to marry—and to marry if they are so minded in their own homes—without formality or benefit of clergy. Admitted abuses at Gretna Green ought not to have been made excuse for removing ancient land- marks in our legal system for which there are many justifi- cations. The Gretna Green problem is purely a local one, which ought to be, and could be, dealt with by a particular remedy applied to that parish. It occurs to me that one simple and effective method would be for Scotland to offer the parish (which is conveniently situated for the purpose), either to Eire or to England.—Your obedient servant, W. A. MIU.AR. Pettycur, 33 Aytoun Road, Pollokshields, Glasgow, S. 1.
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