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…
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…
At Woolley & Co we have been doing our work online since last century. Now there is astonishing news from the court system. Sir James Munby set out what he positioned as not just a vision, but something that can be achieved within four years with initial implementation from 2017:…
Whilst it’s not surprising that emotions can run high in divorce proceedings (we wouldn’t be human if we didn’t get upset about the breakdown of our marriage) there is a limit to what behaviour is acceptable. A recent case in the High Court (Veluppillai v Veluppillai) has highlighted the best…
Divorce doesn’t have to go to court, but unless you and your partner are willing to talk, to negotiate and to settle that’s exactly where your family dispute will end up. Top tips for avoiding the divorce courts When your relationship breaks down not only are you dealing with the…
Divorce disputes where Facebook posts form part of the evidence seem to be on the rise. Yet more reason to be very careful about what you post on social media, and when. Facebook lesson for divorce judge I was once involved in a family law hearing where a very senior…
If you have decided your marriage is over you will most probably want to make the whole process of divorce as painless as possible. Contrary to public perception not all divorces have to involve outright war leaving a trail of destruction and despair. With the right divorce lawyer you should…
Adultery, alienated children and coercive, possibly even abusive, relationships are all under the spotlight in the long running BBC radio show The Archers. But how do soap opera story lines reflect real life family and relationship dramas? I admit it, I was (until now) a covert Archers addict. Like all…