I was interested to read the recent article in The Times (Lawyers should stop treating mediation as a tickbox exercise) claiming divorce lawyers should stop treating mediation as a tick box exercise. In my opinion, we don’t, never have and never will. Helping people through a divorce should be a…
There’s a wealth of great content across the web that can help you with all matters Family Law, and there’s no better place to go for it than YouTube. Whilst there are plenty of Family Law websites out there with handy guides and articles on related topics, nothing lets you…
I keep hearing that our court system is broken or on the verge of collapse. I have to say I am inclined to agree. Last year I went to court with a client about the arrangements for his children. One of the issues was a holiday abroad in the school…
As a family law solicitor, it never ceases to amaze me how wasteful the court system is, in more ways than one. Anyone who has attended a hearing at court as part of their family proceedings, will have an idea of just how much paper is generated for those few…
Instructing a family lawyer is something you might only do once in your life, so knowing what questions to ask when you first talk to them is very important. I’ve suggested five key questions which are worth asking, to make sure you are getting the best possible, most appropriate service…
In my experience as a divorce and family law solicitor I find that people often feel embarrassed asking basic legal questions as they feel that they will look stupid. I am asked the same questions time and time again and clients should never feel silly asking as it is important…
As new terms started recently many students will have thought long and hard about the likely costs of going to university. In a BBC article a few months ago the average student debt was calculated to be an eye watering £57,000. Having had a full grant and a job in…
What is common law marriage? The phrase common law marriage is often used by couples who are unmarried but have lived together for many years. It’s used in a belief that a couple who have been together for a long time have certain rights. Unfortunately for those couples there is…
As a family law solicitor, I often say that ‘nothing surprises me’. But with the advent of new technologies and the proliferation of social media I find myself amazed by some of the things I read about in Family Law case notes and some of the incidents experienced by my…
Shared parenting seems to be referred to regularly now in media reports about divorce and separation. In all cases that come before the Courts there will be a desire to do what is best for the child or children involved, which is often shared care of the child. But what…
Comedian David Walliams and his ex-wife Lara Stone should be applauded for finally reaching a financial settlement after their divorce. Despite their separation being finalised a year ago, they continued to disagree on the settlement forcing the case into the courts and the spotlight of public scrutiny. However, this week,…
In light of the recent so called Turing pardons I wonder whether the Government will look again at another arcane element of our legal system, divorce law? I read with delight that the Government has announced there shall be pardons, including posthumously, for conviction over consensual same-sex relationships before homosexuality…