Expert Comments

Blog

Phased opening of schools – what does it mean during these uncertain times?

As half term draws to an end, there will be many parents contemplating whether to send their children to school for the summer term. No doubts parents have read and...

May 29, 2020

Opinion

Child Arrangement Orders during Covid-19

With us being in the midst of this Covid-19 pandemic, people are increasingly experiencing difficulties with child care arrangements during the lockdown. Where there is a court order in place...

May 28, 2020

Opinion

child-law
divorce

Managing as separated parents during Covid-19

Covid-19 presents challenges for all separated parents whether they were previously married or cohabiting. It may be particularly hard for unmarried parents, who have relied on informal agreements as to...

May 27, 2020

Opinion

Domestic Abuse Bill changes announced

I am regularly instructed by those fleeing domestic abuse, who in most cases are turned away by local housing authorities for homeless assistance. For those not pregnant and without dependent...

May 21, 2020

Opinion

Lockdown Love: Marriage and Premarital Agreements

UK National Marriage Week is coming up from 11th to 17th May. Yet, at this current time in the UK, you cannot get married or register a civil partnership because…

May 11, 2020

Opinion

Covid-19 and the risk of domestic abuse

The current Covid-19 pandemic is an unprecedented event but domestic abuse sadly is not. In ‘normal’ times, an average of two women are killed by a current or former partner...

May 7, 2020

Blog

Covid-19: Family courts prioritise domestic abuse

Domestic abuse is dealt with by the courts in a number of ways. Under criminal law, perpetrators can be prosecuted for violent offences such as assault, battery or sexual offences,...

May 7, 2020

Blog

brain-injury

Tribunal awards vaccine injury compensation for a child with narcolepsy caused by seasonal flu vaccine

What is Narcolepsy? Narcolepsy is a neurological condition which typically is acquired as a result of a trigger to the immune system, causing it to dysfunction and to cause damage…

April 23, 2020

Blog

How Can Remote Family Mediation Help During The Coronavirus Lockdown?

Whilst the rest of life is put on pause during Covid-19 lockdown, relationship and co- parenting difficulties continue. In fact, the stress of being at home 24/7 is likely to...

April 15, 2020

Blog

Coronavirus and children moving between separated parents’ homes

As much of the country finds itself under “lockdown”, after the Prime Minister announced strict measures for leaving home on 23 March 2020, what is the position with children from...

March 25, 2020

Opinion

Increased pressure on family life and relationships

We are living in a situation caused by the Coronavirus which for the vast majority of the population is unprecedented. Most of us will never have experienced anything in our...

March 18, 2020

Blog

financial-provision

What is the current status of Islamic marriages (Nikah) in the UK?

Akhter v Khan and another [2020] EWCA Civ 122 - Summary of the facts The Petitioner and the Respondent had an Islamic marriage ceremony (a Nikah) on 13 December 1998 at...

March 13, 2020

Blog

Opposite-sex couples can now register Civil Partnerships…

On 10 July 2019, the Government Equalities Office published a policy paper and consultation called ‘Implementing Opposite-Sex Civil Partnerships: Next Steps’ which highlighted and outlined the Governments plans to extend...

March 12, 2020

Opinion

#IWD2020 – Family law fails cohabiting women

We are all equal in the eyes of the law, apparently. The problem comes when the law does not exist in the first place. If you are an unmarried couple...

March 4, 2020

Opinion

Is the end of the divorce ‘blame game’ in sight?

The Government has re-introduced the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill to Parliament which is set to bring about the biggest shake up of divorce laws in half a century by...

March 2, 2020

Opinion

An insight into Child Arrangement Orders

Often following the breakdown of a relationship, parents, grandparents and extended members of the family are unable to spend time with or have contact with the children of the broken...

February 25, 2020

Blog

My engagement has broken down… Who gets to keep the ring?

As Christmas approaches, many people may be getting ready to propose to their loved one and start the planning of their nuptials ready for the New Year. But sometimes an...

December 19, 2019

Opinion

Court grants right to marry after £1.5m personal injury damages

The Court of Protection was recently concerned with a case where a deputy, Mr Mundell had been appointed to manage the affairs of a 28 year old man with learning…

November 25, 2019

Opinion

Rule no.1 for instructing a family lawyer: keep your costs proportionate

A leading family judge has criticised a couple who spent in excess of £500,000 on legal fees when the main asset of the marriage was a flat worth £298,377. Expressing...

October 30, 2019

Blog

What is CAFCASS role in Child Arrangements proceedings?

The moment a Child Arrangements application is issued by the Courts, a copy is not only sent to the Applicant and Respondent, but also an allocated CAFCASS worker. But what...

August 29, 2019