Re Z (Surrogacy: Step-parent Adoption)
Judgment has today been published in Re Z (Surrogacy: Step-parent Adoption). Re Z is the first case involving an application for a step-parent adoption order from a non-biological parent to secure his legal parentage, having previously secured it by way of a parental order following a surrogacy arrangement, which was later rescinded. The judge declined […]
#ItsNotOk – Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week
This week is Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week. Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week is the UK’s national week to raise awareness of sexual abuse and violence and to provide an opportunity for any organisation or individual to engage in dialogue. The Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week occurs on the […]
Litigant in person hit with £10,000 costs
A litigant in person in a divorce case has been penalised with £10,000 costs for directing ’threatening’ emails to his wife’s solicitor’s trainee. Deputy District Judge Mark Harrop said it was a ‘particularly disturbing’ aspect of proceedings that the husband in KA v LE repeatedly targeted the most junior lawyer for communications. The judge said that […]
Barristers working in family law reported second lowest overall wellbeing
The Bar Council have published the Wellbeing at the Bar Report 2024. The data shows some improvements in wellbeing at the Bar buy family law barristers have the second lowest overall wellbeing score. Dr Darren Van Laar at Portsmouth University produced the report, based on data from 2023. The survey was distributed to the whole […]
Considering abuse in divorce settlements
In respect of financial remedies cases, Section 25(2)(g) of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 specifies that a parties’ conduct, that is not inequitable to disregard, is one of the relevant considerations for the courts when exercising their distributive powers. The modern approach to conduct was set out by Mostyn J in OG v AG[1], which […]
Refuge data reveals low rates of women’s confidence in police
Refuge have released new data revealing the low rates of women’s confidence in the police to handle VAWG crimes. A recent YouGov survey of 1,051 women (18+) in England and Wales, revealed that 53% of women said that the police had made not much or no progress in addressing problems of sexism and misogyny among […]
Potanina v Potanin: what does it mean for Part III applications?
Supreme Court Judgment on Potanina v Potanin: what does it mean for Part III applications? The Supreme Court has recently issued its long-awaited judgment in the case of Potanina v Potanin ([2024] UKSC 3), which deals with the issue of the correct procedure regarding an application under Part III of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings […]
Marriages in decline – but cohabition risks
Marriage is in decline, but cohabiting couples must recognize the important financial and legal privileges they are forgoing, says Evelyn Partners. Recent data revealed that for the first time the percentage of over-16s in England and Wales who are married or in a civil partnership has fallen below 50 per cent. The Office for National […]
National Apprenticeship Week 2024
This week, 5th – 11th February 2024, marks National Apprenticeship Week. With many law firms, and in-house, as well as the public sector already having their own legal apprentices, the numbers are likely to grow over the coming years. With both paralegal apprenticeships and solicitor apprenticeships already in the profession, and producing excellent solicitors and […]
#BFLAwards2024 Video!
What an evening we had celebrating the family law profession at our inaugural British Family Law Awards 2024.
How family lawyers should respond to the ongoing rise of cohabitating couples in 2024
Data from the ONS highlights the proportion of people who live in a cohabiting couple has increased from 20.6% in 2011 to 24.3% in 2021 (the most recent census). This is an increase across all age groups aged under 85 years and is the fastest growing type of family unit of the last ten years. […]
