Posted by Monicka Rai, Associate
On 25 June 2019 the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill had its second reading in the House of Commons. The purpose of the Bill is to allow couples to divorce without having to assign blame.
Posted by Paola Cuffolo, Trainee Solicitor
The Guardianship (Missing Persons) Act 2017 (the ”Act”), also known as Claudia’s Law, came into effect on 31 July 2019. It is designed to provide relief for the families of those who have been missing for 90 days or more. We look at the issues involved, and whether or not it provides sufficient safeguards for the missing.
Posted by Sophie Webb, Solicitor
Contributing authors: Emma Young
Princess Haya, former Olympic equestrian and the estranged sixth wife of the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, has sought protection from the High Court in London this week.
Posted by Mike Muston, Associate
Two recent decisions made by the courts of England and Wales have shown how the interpretation of the terms of pension schemes may conflict with the rights of persons under the European Convention on Human Rights. These cases have shown that courts are willing to find terms to be discriminatory, in circumstances where they may not reflect the general purpose of the scheme, nor modern family circumstances.
Posted by Laura Podger, Solicitor
Bath head-quartered Royds Withy King has welcomed back solicitor Laura Podger to its Family Law team in Bath. Having qualified as a solicitor in 2018 at the firm, Laura spent a short time at Irwin Mitchell working on high-profile family …
Posted by Simon Bassett, Partner
Despite the country and government’s preoccupation with Brexit, this week heralded good news for the reform of divorce law following the results of a public consultation last year. The Ministry of Justice will introduce ‘no-blame’ divorce “as soon as parliamentary time allows” with the need for evidence of adultery, desertion or unreasonable behaviour to be replaced with a statement of irretrievable breakdown. The changes will also be reflected in the dissolution of civil partnerships.
Posted by Judy Bodansky, Solicitor
In 2011, Sally Challen was jailed for life for the murder of her husband of 31 years following a hammer attack in their Surrey Home the previous year. A sustained campaign led by her two sons, and supported by a feminist advocacy organisation, Justice for Women, succeeded in getting Sally’s conviction quashed after a panel of three judges ruled it was unsafe in light of new evidence that was not available at the time of her trial.
But what does this tell us about how the UK courts treat victims of coercive control?
Posted by Zoe Robinson, Chartered Legal Executive
Following the Government’s announcement of the Domestic Abuse Bill last week, we look into the changes and improvements the government is suggesting and what these will mean to victims of domestic abuse.
Posted by Emily Hughes, Legal Assistant
Posted by Emma McMorrow, Associate
Contributing authors:
Christmas is a time for families to spend together but what if you have recently separated or divorced? Sadly, it can become a difficult time, with all the usual stresses of Christmas amplified and the added worry of keeping the children happy. Emma McMorrow from our Family team provides five tips to help you manage the festive period.
Posted by Emma McMorrow, Associate
Contributing authors:
It goes without saying that separating from a spouse or civil partner is often a stressful and emotional time. Worrying about how to protect your interest in the family home or your right to remain living there is often a concern of many separating couples. Emma McMorrow from our Family team discusses some of the main points she would advise her clients on.
Posted by Patrick Hart, Partner
A law graduate who lived with her partner won a legal fight yesterday that will leave her with half of a £1.7m home. The courts awarded Ms Ladwa half of the home despite arguments from her former partner, Ms Chapman, that she had funded the home and their lavish lifestyle entirely. The couple were engaged to be married but separated in 2016.
