爆料网AT Held or 爆料网DT Pronouncements
爆料网AT considered the appeal and affirmed 爆料网JSPF’s decision. 爆料网AT found that 爆料网JSPF submitted credible evidence that demonstrated that the Cameroon divorce decree was invalid and that the deceased at no time commenced proceedings to dissolve his marriage to his first wife apart from the USA divorce proceedings, which were terminated by his death. In drawing this conclusion, 爆料网AT found it unnecessary to address the additional reliefs sought by the Appellant. 爆料网AT accordingly affirmed 爆料网JSPF’s decision to award the widow’s benefit to the former staff member’s first wife and denied all reliefs sought by the Appellant.
Decision Contested or Judgment/Order Appealed
Upon the death of a former U. N. staff member, 爆料网JSPF recognized his first spouse as his legal wife. 爆料网JSPF thus, found that the first wife was entitled to the continued receipt of a widow’s benefit. The deceased’s second wife appealed, asserting that she was the deceased’s sole surviving spouse.
Legal Principle(s)
Valid divorce proceedings, in the country in which the marriage occurred, must commence prior to a staff member’s death in order for a subsequent spouse to receive a widow’s benefit.