Brides v. Brokers

Marriage broking is not recognized by German law, but the moral right of the marriage broker to receive his fee, the moral duty of the newlyweds or their families to make payment, was sternly upheld, last week, by a Berlin judge.

The suit: An action brought by newlyweds who charged their broker (female) with "blackmail" because she tried to collect from the groom's parents her 211 mark fee ($50).

The verdict: "Case dismissed. This court finds no evidence of blackmail. It is the most natural thing in the world today to marry through a matrimonial broker. Probably 30% of all German marriages are made in this way. Clients ought to feel duty-bound to compensate their broker who enjoys no legal protection."

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