The final report from the working group set up by the President of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane, to look at the issues around medical experts in the family courts has now been published. Mr. Justice Williams was appointed to chair the working group, with representation from the legal profession, Royal Medical Colleges […]
The relocation of a child – when a parent moves abroad
When parents separate, it’s not uncommon for one of them to want to move away from the area where they resided with the other. In some cases, this may involve moving the child(ren) of the family to another country, which can naturally lead to issues. In a recent case, which involves a mother who […]
No Fault Divorce Bill receives Royal assent
When a marriage breaks down, the parties involved are often driven to blame each other for the breakdown of the relationship in order to achieve a divorce more quickly. It has also been assumed that blaming the other spouse may lead to a better financial settlement or a more favourable agreement over the children. […]
Contact during the coronavirus pandemic
We are certainly going through difficult times at the moment, and I hope that you are well, and that the current coronavirus situation isn’t causing you too much stress. As a family lawyer, I have been asked about how the current rules about social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic might affect any current arrangements that […]
Social Media boasts cost in divorce settlement
Social media has much to answer for; and one property tycoon probably rues the day that he shared images of his lavish lifestyle. The tycoon, who was in the process of obtaining a divorce, informed his ex that she should sell her engagement ring to maintain her way of life, but the images of […]
Domestic Violence Funding Announced
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick MP, has promised more support for victims of domestic violence, announcing 75 projects across England and £16.6million being made available to help survivors. In October 2019, it was also announced that in 2021 councils across England will have a legal duty to provide essential, life-saving support in safe accommodation to survivors […]
Musician’s future income declared exempt from Financial Remedy Agreement
Band royalties and future income of artists are not considered as part of a financial remedy order, according to a recent judgement. A recent case heard considered the case of a bass player in a well-known band, whose income from five separate royalty schemes had to be was assessed by experts. The royalties were from […]
Civil Partnership an option for opposite sex couples
Civil Partnership has been an option for same sex couples since 2006, but opposite sex couples have been fighting for the right to enter into civil partnerships for almost as long. In December 2019, the government made this an option for opposite sex couples, when new regulations came into force allowing them to give […]
Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill reintroduced
After the original Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill was shelved during the proroguing of parliament and general election of 2019, it was reintroduced into parliament on 7 January 2020. The Bill, which has been designed to put an end to the ‘blame culture’ that surrounds divorce, was one of several to be shelved at the […]
Cohabitation Rights – still a long way away
Family lawyers have been eagerly awaiting new legal cohabitation rights for couples for some time now, but despite the introduction of the Cohabitation Rights Bill to the House of Lords in March 2019, so far there has been little progress in this complicated area of law. Cohabitation is now the fastest growing family type in […]