A couple were divorced by mistake after a computer error at a family law firm.

A staff member at Vardag’s accidentally opened the file of a couple referred to in court papers as Mr and Mrs Williams, when trying to apply for a final divorce order for a different client.

Vardag’s applied three days later to rescind the order but judge Sir Andrew McFarlane dismissed the application.

The firm’s head Ayesha Vardag said the judge’s decision effectively meant “the computer says no, you’re divorced”.