Families already affected by child abduction not protected by new law, family lawyer says
The introduction of legislation criminalising the wrongful retention of children abroad is a welcome development, by a family law solicitor warns the change won’t protect families that are already affected. The newly enacted Crime and Policing Act 2026, which received Royal Assent on 29th April, extends the Child Abduction Act 1984 so that parents who […]
Profile: Sarah Dodds, senior associate at Birketts LLP
Sarah Dodds is a senior associate in Birketts’ Bristol office. She has more than a decade of experience in family law, with her case load comprising high-conflict child arrangements and complex financial remedy matters. The majority of Sarah’s clients have international connections and she has a wealth of experience dealing with cross-border children matters, including […]
Why the issues raised in M (A Child) will damage public trust
The removal of an adopted child because the mother was in a new relationship with a violent criminal accused of child-sex offending has focused attention on the need for comprehensive and trustworthy background checks. Tom Wright, senior associate in the family team at Birketts LLP, says the issues raised by M (A Child: Adoption: Duty […]