The ever changing landscape for a family lawyer
When I think I’m starting to get comfortable in my role as a family lawyer (but should you ever be comfortable?) then boom (!) another process comes into play to keep me on my toes. Resolution Together (RT) is a model that most family lawyers will now be familiar with. If not, you need to […]
The Human Touch – Why choosing a solicitor should not just be about the potential client
Choosing a solicitor is one of the most important decisions an individual can make – but do people really spend enough time to find the right firm? In many cases, legal services are required at a time of emotional distress, even trauma. From divorce or probate following a family death, to moving house or dealing […]
Million dollar footballer with no assets?
You may have seen the news about the separation of Achraf Hakimi, professional football player for the Moroccan national team and Paris Saint-Germain with a net worth of around $24 million, and his wife, Hiba Abouk, a Spanish actress. The pair are said to have been dating since 2018, before marrying in France in 2020. […]
UK and US pledge to combat AI-generated images of child abuse
The US and UK have committed to developing and funding new capabilities to stop the spread of sexually exploitative AI-generated images of children. The UK and US have united to combat the rise of child sexual abuse images generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) programmes. The Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, along with the US Homeland Security […]
Recognising financial abuse in a relationship
The Telegraph has posted an interesting article on financial/economic abuse, and how to recognise when you are in such a relationship. In England & Wales, such behaviour can result in criminal prosecutions. Under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, domestic abuse includes economic abuse, which means any behaviour that has a substantial adverse effect on the […]
The Family Courts are failing domestic abuse survivors
In July, Nicole Jacobs, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, released her report on the need for change in the way domestic abuse is understood and dealt with in the Family Court system, entitled “The Family Court and domestic abuse: achieving cultural change”. In the 77-page document, Ms Jacobs set out how survivors of domestic abuse feel […]
Innovation in family law
Every year in the UK, around 280,000 children see their parents separate. How those separations happen will affect the rest of those children’s lives. The negative effects of poorly handled divorce and separation on children are extensively documented. The Children Act of 1989 sets out a vision that promotes parental responsibility, with child welfare at […]
The Perfect Lawyer
Following a short break over the Summer, the Today’s Family Lawyer podcast returns with host David Opie speaking with Simon McCrum. There isn’t much Simon McCrum doesn’t know about running a law firm having been there, done it, and got the t-shirt. In this discussion Simon shares a little about his background and how he […]
Atonement and post separation endeavour: Wife keeps £1m gift from husband after his affair and will receive a share of his business’ future profits
The case of CG v DL would have been a “paradigm case for equality” but for the issue of post separation endeavour and whether the wife should share in the husband’s business going forwards. Deciding how to approach the husband’s hedge fund business was “much the hardest issue in the case” for Sir Jonathan Cohen. The wife […]
Work life matters: Communication
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve heard my clients’ people say “communication in our company isn’t very good”. Now they may well mean what they say, but when I probe and ask for a bit more detail and nuance, it’s often lacking. Moaning about poor communication is sometimes the easy way out. […]
Help me! My client is a nightmare
This happens more than any of us would like to admit. Clients come in all types and whilst we strive to be empathetic, professional, and deliver excellent service, it must also be acknowledged that sometimes it can be difficult not to get a bit miffed. The truth is there are certain clients who are going […]
Mind your language!
Although technically the role of a family lawyer is not to minimise conflict, but to advise a client on the law, and the impact of taking (or not taking) a certain course of action, undoubtedly it is what all family lawyers ought to do, and it is essential when there are children involved and there is a […]
The Ombudsman’s Corner: September 2023
Our approach to unbundling The idea of “unbundling” legal services has been discussed in the sector for several years. In a nutshell, it’s where a service provider takes on only those aspects of work that are reserved legal activities, with their client undertaking the rest. Work variously carried out by the Legal Services Board, Legal […]
How to identify and assess cryptoassets in divorce proceedings
Whether forming part of an investment portfolio, or collected as a hobby, in the right market, cryptoassets represent significant stores of value. With nearly one in ten British adults now owning some form of cryptoasset, from Bitcoin to NFTs, it has become increasingly important to be able to identify and address those type of assets in the […]
From myth to reality: The call for reform to cohabitation laws | Part 2
Part two of this two-part article will look at whether the current law around cohabitation is fit for purpose and explore proposed reforms. Part one assessed the myth of “common law marriage” and the current rights available for separating couples. Is the current law fit for purpose? It’s hard to see how it can genuinely […]
Parental alienation: Is it still an alien concept?
Although parental alienation was first recognised by Wallerstein and Kelly in 1976, the concept gained controversy when Gardner suggested that parental alienation is actually a mental condition suffered by children who had been alienated by their mothers. Subsequently, parental alienation became a term which was rejected by English and Welsh courts. However, the idea that […]
From myth to reality: The call for reform to cohabitation laws | Part 1
Part one of this two-part article will assess the myth of “common law marriage” and the current rights available for separating couples. Look out for part two where the current law’s fitness for purpose will be put to the test, with proposed reforms also assessed. The ‘common law marriage’ myth One in five couples are […]
Child Abduction – “Habitual residence” and case complications
Since 1993 Derek Parsons, a solicitor at RWK Goodman, has specialised in Child Abduction work and joins this latest Todays’ Family Lawyer podcast to discuss his experience. Derek explores the reasons why children can become removed from their homes and the work he does in ensuring they are protected. Broadly speaking much of Derek’s work […]
How to choose the right law firm for you as a family lawyer
There are many boutique specialist family firms out there, and many successful ones at that. As a junior family lawyer this can be very appealing. But for me, I have always worked in a multi-practice firm, and am confident I will continue to do so. Family law is the most varied area of law and […]
Value of FDAC ‘problem-solving approach’ highlighted by new study
A new large-scale study has revealed the positive impact of the Family Drug and Alcohol Courts (FDAC) versus standard care proceedings under the Children and Families Act 2014. FDAC aims to address the problems which led a local authority to bring the parent(s) to court by using a “problem-solving” approach. This involves a specialist multi-disciplinary […]