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Government Publish Landmark New Domestic Abuse Bill

Government Publish Landmark New Domestic Abuse Bill

Published: 23rd January 2019

On the 21st January 2019, the Government published a new landmark draft Domestic Abuse Bill in order to combat domestic violence in the UK by pursuing offenders and supporting victims and their families in the aftermath.

Government Launch £2.7 Million Challenge Fund to Tackle Parental Conflict

Government Launch £2.7 Million Challenge Fund to Tackle Parental Conflict

Published: 10th January 2019

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have announced they will be launching a new £2.7 million Challenge Fund that aims to tackle and resolve parental conflict in the UK. As part of the Reducing Parental Conflict Programme, the government-initiated fund will support disadvantaged families who are at risk of parental conflict.

Rapid Evidence Review on Special Guardianship to be Carried Out

Rapid Evidence Review on Special Guardianship to be Carried Out

Published: 13th December 2018

The Nuffield Family Justice Observatory, the Family Justice Council and CoramBAAF will be working together to address pressing issues regarding Special Guardianship, in the hope to review protocols and deliver Court Orders which are fairer and more family-focused.

Ex Wife of Swedish Racing Car Driver Demands £5 Million after an Unfair Prenuptial Agreement

Ex Wife of Swedish Racing Car Driver Demands £5 Million after an Unfair Prenuptial Agreement

Published: 28th November 2018

The ex-wife of McLaren racing car driver, Kenny Brack, has demanded half of the £11 million family fortune as an appeal court ruled that their Prenuptial Agreement was “unfair”.

Russian Oligarch’s £350 Million Super Yacht is the Focus of Britain’s Most Expensive Divorce

Russian Oligarch’s £350 Million Super Yacht is the Focus of Britain’s Most Expensive Divorce

Published: 13th November 2018

Russian oligarch Farkhad Akhmedov claims that he dissolved his marriage to British citizen and mother of two more than a decade ago, despite ex wife Tatiana Akhmedov’s attempt to seize his £350 million mega yacht amongst other assets in recent divorce proceedings.

PM declares heterosexual couples will now be able to form civil partnerships

PM declares heterosexual couples will now be able to form civil partnerships

Published: 2nd November 2018

A Supreme Court ruling has announced earlier this year that heterosexual couples will now be given the right to enter into a civil partnership. The new legislation follows the tireless efforts of Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan, who became “accidental campaigners” for the new legislation.

Parents Breach Interim Court Order after Receiving Misleading Advice from McKenzie Friend

Parents Breach Interim Court Order after Receiving Misleading Advice from McKenzie Friend

Published: 17th October 2018

A long-awaited change is being called for in the wake of a new case where wrongful advice was provided by a McKenzie friend which subsequently resulted in the breach of an interim court order. Earlier this year, a British couple made the decision to take their child out of the country, claiming that they were acting on the advice of a McKenzie friend.

Resolution welcomes the news of no-fault divorce following government consultation

Resolution welcomes the news of no-fault divorce following government consultation

Published: 2nd October 2018

Family law organisation Resolution have welcomed the news that the government intend to introduce a no-fault divorce system in England and Wales, following the recent publishing of a government consultation paper on no-fault divorce.

Government unveils plans for family law in the event of a 'no-deal' Brexit

Government unveils plans for family law in the event of a 'no-deal' Brexit

Published: 18th September 2018

As Brexit creeps ever closer, new plans were released on the 13th of September by the Government, explaining how the countries leaders intend on dealing with Family Law matters in the event of a “no-deal” Brexit on 29th of March 2019.

Survey reveals divorcing couples exaggerate their grounds for divorce for fear of it being contested

Survey reveals divorcing couples exaggerate their grounds for divorce for fear of it being contested

Published: 5th September 2018

Couples who have made the decision to divorce one another want nothing more than a simple process that requires little or no blame, according to a recent survey. The recent survey revealed that 80% of the 1,000 people who took part would have proceeded with a no fault divorce, if there was such an option.

Wife Awarded £100,000 in compensation from Driver who Killed her Husband during Divorce

Wife Awarded £100,000 in compensation from Driver who Killed her Husband during Divorce

Published: 15th August 2018

A wife has been awarded £100,000 in damages after a driver killed her husband during their divorce proceedings. In January 2014, Mrs Craven filed for divorce and separated from her husband after he was caught having an affair. In June 2014 Mr Craven was involved in a tragic road accident which left him dead at the scene.

Owens v Owens case forces MoJ to consider reforms to the divorce system in England and Wales

Owens v Owens case forces MoJ to consider reforms to the divorce system in England and Wales

Published: 8th August 2018

The Ministry of Justice have said they are considering reforms to the divorce system in England and Wales following the landmark Owens v Owens case. Mrs Owens has had her divorce petition and subsequent appeal rejected, even though the judge has acknowledge that her marriage to Mr Owens has broken down.

Restriction of Civil Partnerships to opposite-sex couples ruled as discriminatory and a breach of human rights

Restriction of Civil Partnerships to opposite-sex couples ruled as discriminatory and a breach of human rights

Published: 10th July 2018

The Supreme Court has unanimously ruled in favour of civil partnership campaigners Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan, labelling the ban on civil partnerships for opposite-sex couples as 'discriminatory' and a breach of human rights.

The Divorce (Financial Provision) Bill set to change the UK divorce landscape

Published: 20th June 2018

The House of Lords passed the Divorce (Financial Provision) Bill through its second reading in January 2017, and although as of yet there is no set date for the Committee stage, the Bill is likely to have a significant impact on the divorce landscape in England and Wales. The Bill is considered to be designed to bring laws in England and Wales in line with those in Scotland, following admiration for laws in the North; but what impact will the Bill have on finances in divorce?

Barnardo’s Encourages UK Government to Fight Domestic Abuse with Children at the Forefront

Published: 6th June 2018

According to leading children’s charity Barnardo’s, children affected by domestic violence and abuse require specialist help in order to learn how to cope with the trauma and live a normal life. Barnardo’s are very experienced in working closely with cases of domestic abuse, offering a total of 14 specialist domestic abuse services. From their own research, they suggest that children that come from families where domestic abuse occurs are likely to be affected for the rest of their lives, as well as being vulnerable in different ways too. Whilst there are many different services throughout the UK that focus on working closely with adults experiencing domestic abuse, it is thought that there isn’t a big enough focus on the trauma that children suffer as part of it.

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