Latest News
In this section, you will find news stories and articles about
divorce and family law topics and issues affecting our family law
practice and our clients.
17 May 2013
By Andrew Baines
The relationship between marriage and civil partnership has come
to the fore again, following the government calling for a review
into the area of civil partnerships and same sex marriages - albeit
at some point in the future. Currently same sex couples can't get
married and heterosexual couples can't enter into civil
partnerships.
...Read more
09 April 2013
The Law Society has warned that children at the centre of
family law cases will face uncertainty about their future following
High Court ruling today.
In family law cases where only the child receives legal aid and
the parents are unable to afford the costs of an expert witness
report, the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) - formerly the Legal Services
Commission (LSC) - does not usually have to fully fund the cost of
a report ordered by a judge.
...Read more
27 March 2013
By Emma Ingram
Within recent times there has been an increasing need to
consider the legal position surrounding conception as a result of
sperm donation.
Applications in respect of contact made by men who had donated
sperm were previously prevented by the provisions of the Human
Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008.
...Read more
21 March 2013
By Lesley Cropper
The one piece of
information I am regularly given by my unmarried clients
following the breakdown of their relationship is that they have
been cohabiting for more than 6 months… and so have acquired
rights. This is wrong!
At the moment cohabiting couples are treated very differently to
heterosexual married couples or same-sex partners in a civil
partnership.
...Read more
05 March 2013
by Sarah Laughey
The British Association of Adoption and
Fostering (BAAF) has recently published research carried
out by The Centre for Family Research at Cambridge
University.
The study, entitled 'Gay, Lesbian and Heterosexual Adoptive
Families: Family Relationships, Child Adjustment and Adopters'
Experience', is the first of its nature in the UK, assessed in
detail the experiences of 130 adoptive families.
...Read more
14 February 2013
By Emma Ingram
Court proceedings where residence or contact with
children is involved are often difficult to resolve, especially
when keys facts are contested.
Within such proceedings disagreements almost always arise
between parties in relation to significant facts,
including allegations of drug and alcohol abuse or domestic
violence.
...Read more