Posted by Emma McMorrow, Associate
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Why is the Government letting abusers bully their partners in court?
Posted by Hannah Butcher, Solicitor
The Office for National Statistics reported in 2018 that some two million people are victim to domestic abuse, with the large majority of incidents directed at women.
“No fault” divorce: end of the blame game?
Posted by Monicka Rai, Associate
The Queen’s speech in October 2019 confirmed the reintroduction of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill in Parliament following prorogation. This follows the second reading of the bill in the House of Commons on 25 June 2019.
The purpose of the Bill is to allow couples to divorce without having to assign blame.
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Claudia’s Law – is it fit for purpose?
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.
Princess Haya applies for Wardship Order
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.
How pension schemes can conflict with human rights law
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.
Taking the kids abroad? Guidance for separated parents at holiday time
Posted by Emma McMorrow, Associate
Contributing authors:
The summer holidays are almost upon us. But these happy times can often cause animosity and conflict between separated or divorced parents; especially if a holiday abroad is on the cards. Here are some of the issues parents should think about.
Solicitor returns home to Royds Withy King’s Family Law Team in Bath
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 …
Positive news for divorce law reform
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.
Coercive control: an increasingly common issue in relationship breakdown?
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?
What does the draft Domestic Abuse Bill mean for victims of domestic violence?
Posted by Zoe Robinson, Chartered Legal Executive (Fellow)
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.