The Maltese courts granted their first divorce judgement this morning to a couple who had been living apart for 21 years from the day of their legal separation.

The couple had filed a joint application for divorce on October 11, just after the law came into force on October 1.

Madame Justice Abigail Lofaro said the requisites for divorce were satisfied and the couple had no intention of reconciling.

She noted that the couple's children were now adults so there was no need for maintenance to be paid.

Madame Justice Lofaro ordered the court registrar to advise the director of the public registry about the divorce within a month for it be registered.

She also upheld the woman's request to revert to her maiden surname.