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Published: 12th April 2018
The latest figures, released by the Ministry of Justice, show that an increasing number of grandparents are going to court to secure the right to see their own grandchildren. Grandparents can play a significant role in the lives of their grandchildren and so iftheir own child and partner separate a difficult situation may arise with regard to access and contact with grandchildren, leading them to take relevant action.
Published: 26th March 2018
When granting a parental order to a couple where one of the partners is gay, Sir James Munby said that a sexual relationship is not a requirement for a valid marriage in relation to parental orders in surrogacy cases. The case was based on requirements for a parental order under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008, with Munby passing a swift judgement outlining the requirements for what is considered a valid marriage.
Published: 20th March 2018
In a recent case involving a former husband and wife, Mr Justice Cobb granted an appeal made by the wife during financial remedy proceedings regarding an interim order for the sale of the couple’s former matrimonial home. When the couple separated, the wife continued to live in the matrimonial home, while the husband moved into a holiday home they owned.
Published: 8th March 2018
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) recently released a report on marriages within England and Wales in 2015, looking at the overall number of marriages by sex, age, previous marriages and whether the marriage involved a religious or civil ceremony.
Published: 1st March 2018
The Supreme Court has highlighted the struggles that lower courts face when dealing with cases of international child abduction. In 'the matter of C (Children)’, the Supreme Court was requested to consider how an application under the Hague Convention may come into effect if a child has become a permanent resident in the destination state. In addition, the Supreme Court looked at whether there was a wrongful retention if the child has been removed from their home country after the agreed period of absence had expired.
Published: 19th February 2018
The Government has recently announced that it is to test a new online divorce application, which is designed to make the whole process much simpler and far less stressful for families navigating through the divorce process in England and Wales. Industry experts and organisations have long been calling for a revamp of the family justice system, with an eye on it becoming in line with today's society and better suited to supporting modern families.
Published: 12th February 2018
A UK judge has described a divorce battle between a rich couple as a ‘waste of court time’, with the couple having spent almost a third of their wealth on lawyer fees already. The couple have assets worth more than £6.5m, of which £2m has now been spent throughout the divorce process, with a further £200,000 expected to be spent should the case go to court
Published: 2nd February 2018
As the rates of both international divorces and cross-border child abductions increases within the EU, the European Parliament has called for an increased focus on the protection of children’s rights within international disputes of divorce. Members of the European Parliament are calling for experienced and practicing family law judges to play a key role in child abduction cases, as well as for children to be able to express their opinions within cases.
Published: 26th January 2018
A new study has revealed that working parents in the UK are suffering from the strain that work requirements are placing upon their family, with many looking to downscale their careers in order to protect their family life and marriage. Working Families and Bright Horizons, a charity which describes itself as a‘work-life balance organisation’, recently released the report suggesting that work can place such unbearable pressure on relationships that it can lead to separation.
Published: 15th January 2018
While recent figures regarding family mediation show that the number of family mediation sessions taking place within the UK is decreasing, the National Family Mediation expect to see a spike in sessions during this month.
Published: 5th January 2018
Child experts throughout the UK are joining forces to create the ‘Brexit and Children’ coalition, publishing a report that highlights the potential implications and effects that Brexit might have for children in the UK. Barnardo’s and The Children’s Society are just two of the organisations that have come together to form this coalition, which is focusing on ensuring correct measures are put in place to provide sufficient protection for children and their rights following Brexit.
Published: 21st December 2017
A recent survey conducted by the Magistrates Association has found that 68% of those in family court hearings are unrepresented, which is an increase of 27% since 2014, the year following significant cuts to legal aid. Such situations where parents are not represented often lead to incorrect decisions, but more importantly a tough, long process for the children to endure.
Published: 12th December 2017
Following the recent 2017 Autumn Budget announcement, divorcing couples across the country who faced the prospect of paying higher stamp duty rates have been given a reprieve, with Chancellor Phillip Hammond announcing changes to stamp duty surcharges on second homes. Having first been introduced in April 2016 aimed at those buying additional property to their own home, the 3% surcharge has had a number of implications that were initially unintended by the former Chancellor, George Osborne.
Published: 5th December 2017
Millions of people in the UK are at risk of losing out on finances due to the current legal system and the general misconception surrounding 'common-law marriages'. Couples that are unmarried but living together, otherwise known as cohabiting couples, are one of the fastest growing family types in the UK, and yet many of them do not understand their legal rights in the event of their relationship coming to an end.
Published: 22nd November 2017
A top family solicitor has revealed that a meeting with a potential client was nothing more than an attempt to create a conflict of interest, in order to prevent the solicitor from acting on behalf of the other party.
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