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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.

Online Family Law Facility to be produced following outcome of Digital Divorce Pilot

Published: 1st June 2018

Following the trial of an online divorce pilot, the Courts Service have stated that they will produce a new digital family law service, providing clients and lawyers with a range of benefits which will make the whole process much simpler. One of the key features is that lawyers will be able to submit petitions for their clients, which is likely to lead to fewer errors that currently occur on a regular basis.

Ineffective court battles caused by 'blame game' in divorce proceedings

Published: 2nd May 2018

According to a new report released by the Nuffield Foundation, couples within divorce proceedings are taking part in ineffective court battles that are completely unnecessary, due to the lack of no-fault divorces within England and Wales. Led by Professor Liz Trinder of Exeter University, the Nuffield Foundation conducted a study consisting of 500 divorces, finding that many of couples who has been through a divorce were forced into cases that the law itself instigated.

Pensions Advisory Group tackles legal issues regarding pensions and divorce

Published: 26th April 2018

The Pensions Advisory Group has published two reports based on the legal issues of pensions in divorce cases, following a ‘Pensions of Divorce’ study which was funded by the Nuffield Foundationand backed by the Cardiff University School of Law and Politics.

Sir Ernest Ryder considers how decision-making for children is affected by the Justice System

Published: 19th April 2018

Earlier this month, at the BASPCAN 10th International Congress at the University of Warwick, the Senior President of Tribunals, Sir Ernest Ryder, spoke aboutthe justice system and thepart it plays in decision-making for children. Sir Ernest Ryder focused on the approach that is currently in place in relation to children, as well as how evidence influences judicial decisions.

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