HANCOCK JOHN MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE ACCOUNT UV, 485BPOS, EX-99.10, 2000-11-01

HANCOCK JOHN MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE ACCOUNT UV
485BPOS, EX-99.10, 2000-11-01

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                                                                      EXHIBIT 10

[LETTERHEAD OF JOHN HANCOCK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY]


                                               November 1, 2000



United States Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20549

     John Hancock Mutual Variable Life Account UV
     File Nos. 33-63900 and 811-7766


Commissioners:

        This opinion is being furnished with respect to the filing of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 under the Securities Act of 1933 on the Form S-6
Registration Statement of John Hancock Mutual Variable Life Account UV as
required by Rule 485 under the 1933 Act.

        We have acted as counsel to Registrant for the purpose of preparing this
Post-Effective Amendment which is being filed pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule
485 and hereby represent to the Commission that in our opinion this
Post-Effective Amendment does not contain disclosures which would render it
ineligible to become effective pursuant to paragraph (b).

        We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with and as a part of
this Post-Effective Amendment to Registrant's Registration Statement with the
Commission.


                                Very truly yours,


                                /s/ RONALD J. BOCAGE
                                --------------------
                                Ronald J. Bocage
                                Counsel