Reflections and reform: Grant Cameron on leading Resolution
This episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer podcast features host David Opie in conversation with Grant Cameron – family lawyer, mediator, collaborative practitioner, and a partner at Trethowans. Grant recently concluded his tenure as Chair of Resolution, having led the organization during a transformative post-COVID period marked by significant legislative and cultural shifts. He reflects on the implementation of no fault divorce […]
Interest rate fall the “starting gun” for divorcing couples?
The Bank of England’s decision to reduce interest rates to 4% in recent weeks could signal the ‘starting gun’ for couples looking to divorce speculates one family law professional. Judit Kerese, Associate at Stowe Family Law has suggested the fall could precipitate a ‘rush’ of couples looking to finalise their financial settlements with some couples […]
The evolving approach the wealthy must take to nuptial agreements
Since the seminal case of Radmacher v Granatino [2010] UKSC 42 in 2010, pre and post-nuptial agreements have been increasingly adopted under English law and they are now relatively common amongst wealthy spouses. Despite the “magnetic importance” of nuptial agreements, there has historically been a great deal of uncertainty as to whether or not a […]
BC v BC: A cautionary tale of FDR breakdown
BC v BC: A cautionary tale of FDR breakdown, judicial reluctance to scrutinise conduct, and the uncomfortable question – Should there be costs consequences when one party undermines settlement without accountability in private financial dispute resolution hearings? Yes, the title has 46 words… just like the behaviour in this case, it arguably went on too […]
Jurisdiction plays a key role when getting a divorce: considering the financial advantages of a divorce in the UK or abroad
On 2 July, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released information about the number of divorces in England and Wales. In 2023 (the most recent year for which statistics are available), there were 102,678 divorces (and dissolutions of Civil Partnerships); of those, the Ministry of Justice tell us that 40,873 financial arrangements were litigated to […]
The marketing mistakes family law firms are making that are costing them £3,000+ a month
If your firm’s getting clicks but not clients, chances are it’s not your ads, it’s your approach. With SEO, PPC, and social media competing for your marketing budget, it’s easy to throw money at platforms like Google Ads, hoping something will stick. But when campaigns aren’t set up with structure or strategy, what you’re really […]
When pressure undermines protection: What a £230m divorce teaches us about post-nups
A recent, headline-grabbing divorce settlement — valued at over £230 million — has served as more than just tabloid fodder. Ranking as the third-highest financial award in English divorce history, the case shines a spotlight on the fragile legal footing of post-nuptial agreements, especially when one party exerts dominance over the other. The couple had […]
Standish v Standish: Why joined-up thinking is now critical in wealth and family law
The landmark Standish v Standish ruling from the Supreme Court has brought renewed focus to the vital relationship between wealth advisors and both private client and family lawyers’ a joined-up approach can offer both asset protection and long-term relationship security if things go wrong. When Mr Standish transferred £77million of personal assets to his […]
The new test for matrimonialised property set out in Standish
The Court of Appeal’s recent decision in the case of Standish v Standish can certainly be considered controversial. The decision effectively states that a gift to a spouse is not in fact a gift, thereby becoming a judgement of universal application in family law. Another way in which this decision will set precedent is through […]
HM Treasury response to MLR consultation: key changes
Following the government’s admission that anti-money laundering regulations are ‘a major burden’ on professional business services firms, HM Treasury has released a response to the 2024 consultation examining the effectiveness of Money Laundering Regulations. In the foreword to the response, economic secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds said the government is ‘confident that these changes […]
Supreme Court judgment impacts on future tax and estate planning
The Supreme Court’s recent decision on Standish v Standish [2025] UKSC 26 on 2 July 2025 has garnered much interest not only from the UK press but also tax advisers and estate planners for its implications on future wealth planning, in particular in relation to pre-marital assets and inheritances. Whilst the case arose from the […]
The evolving language of family law; and how we can play our part
In this episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer podcast, host David Opie welcomes Sally Robinson, partner and head of the HCR Law Family Team in Central England. Broadcasting from the Northampton office, Sally brings over two decades of legal experience to a timely discussion on how language in family law is evolving. Sally reflects on the landmark shift introduced by no-fault divorce, calling […]
Think It’s Over? Think Again: Revisiting Decisions Before Sealing Under Barrell
Powerful, underused, and easily forgotten: The Barrell[1] jurisdiction is the legal equivalent of a trapdoor in the courtroom floor. It gives the court the rare power to reverse its own decision at any point before the order is drawn up and sealed, if there is good reason to do so. For many practitioners, it barely […]
Mutually beneficial – how industry and education collaborate for good
In February 2025, Solent Law Clinic launched in Southampton. An ambitious new community project pioneered by Southampton Solent University and national law firm, Dutton Gregory Solicitors, this free initiative serves three important purposes. In the first instance, it provides access to legal advice to those who need it the most. Second, it addresses – and […]
Standish v Standish – how a landmark separation shows the importance of collaboration and fairness
The Supreme Court’s decision in Standish v Standish brings long-awaited clarity to the treatment of non-matrimonial assets on divorce – welcome news for family lawyers, tax advisers, and estate planners. How did we get here? Mr Standish entered the marriage with substantial pre-acquired wealth. In 2017, following estate and tax planning advice, he transferred investments worth £77.8 […]
Standish v Standish – what does this mean for tax planning?
Last week the Supreme Court delivered its in Standish v Standish [2025] UKSC 26. The case examined the concepts of “matrimonial” or “non-matrimonial” assets when considering financial orders on divorce. Assets which are matrimonial are subject to the sharing principle, whereas non-matrimonial assets are not. In 2017, Mr Standish transferred investments worth £77.8m to his […]
Reaction to landmark Supreme Court ruling on Standish v Standish
The family law community has been reacting to the landmark Standish v Standish decision in which the Supreme Court dismissed the claims of a wife who contended a near-£80m transfer from her then-husband to her should be considered a matrimonial asset. The case and decision, the detail of which is available to review here, moves […]
The ‘Writing to Children’ Toolkit in practice
In this episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer podcast, host David Opie is joined by Jude Eyre, Associate Director at the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory (NFJO). Together, they explore the newly released Toolkit for Judges on Writing to Children, a guidance document designed to support judges in communicating directly with children in family law proceedings. Jude offers insight into the collaborative process […]
Piggy in the middle – children and covert recordings in family law
Children disputes are often complicated affairs, and separating couples can become very acrimonious when making child arrangements. Sadly, some parents have resorted to underhand techniques in order to ‘one-up’ their ex. Children can often end up in the middle of these disputes which are harmful to both their short- and long-term wellbeing. One such method […]
Uncorking the value: wine collections in divorce proceedings
For some couples, wine is a shared passion. It can be a statement of their lifestyle and legacy, as well as a significant financial asset. As family lawyers, we are seeing increasing numbers of unusual collections of value, including wine, within divorce cases. This may be a wine cellar built up over decades or a […]