Family
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News & Insights
Property rights for Co-habitees
There are many issues that can arise for co-habiting couples on separation but perhaps the most contentious and commonly litigated is the...
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News & Insights
The myth of common law marriage and the importance of financial pla...
Cohabitation gives no legal status to a couple and yet the myth of the common law marriage persists. A 2013 survey by UK charity OnePlusO...
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News & Insights
Is marriage more than a piece of paper? Some bad news for the “com...
Sarah walks into my office for the first time as she wants to some advice about her separation from her long term partner John. She tells...
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News & Insights
Contested Wills and Probate problems : how to resolve disputes
It can be very difficult to come to terms with the death of a loved friend or relative. Dealing with loss can be all-consuming, yet there...
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News & Insights
Mediation: Changes afoot
If you are considering making an application to court in relation to children or matrimonial finances the law is changing! When the Child...
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News & Insights
“Pre-nups” & “Qualifying Nuptial Agreements”: the Law Com...
THE LAW COMMISSION REPORT – MATRIMONIAL PROPERTY, NEEDS AND AGREEMENTS Malcolm Martin Partner, Family Department – Direct Line 020...
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News & Insights
“Proportionality” of costs – a major consideration?
There is yet more focus on the issue of “proportionality” in the wake of the high profile judgment in the divorce case of Mr & Mrs Yo...
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News & Insights
Keep an eye on costs
A reminder that we need to always keep an eye on costs in family law proceedings and what is known as “proportionality”; how much is bein...
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News & Insights
Judge warned lawyer he risked “financial suicide”
It can be easy to lose perspective about costs when litigating; even for lawyers in their own divorce cases. In a recent case in the High...
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News & Insights
Nigella Lawson and Charles Saatchi to divorce today
Just seven weeks after the art collector was photographed with his hands around her throat the couple will be officially divorced today. ...
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News & Insights
Removal of secrecy in family proceedings
The most senior family law Judge in England & Wales, Lord Justice Mumby, has issued draft guidance, that once approved, will mean rem...
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News & Insights
Marriage is on the increase!
Whilst the rate of divorce may be increasing so is the rate of weddings, particularly amongst those over the age of 55. In 2011 there wa...
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News & Insights
Mediation – Joe and Sally’s story: Part 2
Following the breakdown of Joe and Sally’s* marriage, they have decided to attend Mediation with a view to resolving issues relating to t...
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News & Insights
Dramatic rise in child applications
In the last 2 months there has been an increase of 27% in the number of issued child applications. Is that due to withdrawal of public fu...
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News & Insights
Mediation – Joe and Sally’s story: Part 1
Part 1 Joe* and Sally* have been married 19 years. Their home is jointly owned and subject to a mortgage, they have some savings, part of...
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News & Insights
20 year old financial relief claim
It’s 1992, a pair of New Age travellers get divorced. Both were penniless and there was no order made providing for financial relie...