Is it permissible to request and complete a khul' without the husband's knowledge if there is a legitimate reason for the khul'?

Khul’ is a contract between the spouses, in which the wife gives money in exchange for the husband divorcing her or releasing her. It requires offer and acceptance between the spouses, like other contracts, and the husband's consent and direct involvement in the contract himself or through his representative. If the husband refuses Khul’ despite the wife’s right to it being established before the judge, then the judge may compel him to it.