As I cannot find my UK rule book can someone answer this please:-  You can actually own / show in one ring while your spouse is judging in the adjacent (well nearly adjacent) ring?  I take it you can but how unethical is that?  I thought they brought in a rule against it a couple of years ago but I must be mistaken.

Yes ..... as long as Spouse doesn't own or co-own the dog in question. 
You cannot exhibit a dog you own at a show at which you are judging, even if the dog would be exhibiting on day when you were not actually judging.

K 

Thanks.  The lack of any type of a code of ethics / conflict of interest clause in place by the KC is astounding at times.

There is a code, a dog you own or part own can't be shown at a show you are judging at. There is no reason why dogs you have no interest in can not be shown or how many of your close relatives wish to show in other rings.