We were frustrated to watch Monday’s episode of Coronation Street which involved a completely disastrous mediation session. Nick and Leanne traded insult after insult and made no progress whatsoever in relation to trying to resolve their financial dispute and child arrangements. At a time where many feel that the Government Read more…
Statistics have recently been released which suggest in excess of 19,000 more parents appeared in civil Courts without expert legal representation in cases relating to their children in the 12 months that followed the Legal Aid cuts in April 2013. Prior to April 2013 those who could not afford to Read more…
A Judge in Wales has been highly critical of a local authority which failed to return a nine year old boy to his mother’s care after she withdrew her consent to him being in foster care. The boy had been accommodated while his mother had treatment in a psychiatric unit. Read more…
The Government proposes to implement a Residence Test for people applying for Civil Legal Aid (ie not criminal legal aid). The Residence Test will limit legal aid to those with a “strong connection” with the UK. The Human Rights Joint Committee has prepared a Report particularly focusing upon the likely Read more…
Reports suggest that the authorities anticipate a significant increase in cases of domestic abuse during the World Cup. The suggestion is that extended periods of higher than usual levels of drinking may well lead to an increase in the incidence of abuse within the home. What is not clear is Read more…
I recently heard a proverb which I understand to be Jewish. It goes something like this…… When two divorced people marry four people get into the marital bed. It struck me what a potential understatement that is. No doubt couples who marry having both been married before, bring with them Read more…
Emmet likes relaxing in the mediation room here at Taylor and Emmet/Hallam mediation. He hasn’t actually been to court but he has heard about it and he doesn’t like the idea of parents arguing and a judge deciding what will happen to children after their parents separate. He much prefers Read more…
Sitting in traffic as always, on the M1 and Sheffield Parkway on my way to work this morning, it struck me how similar driving a car in heavy traffic is to helping a client through the divorce process. Although we might do it subconsciously when we are driving, particularly in Read more…
I would like to introduce you to Emmet the Dog. Emmet is the newest member of Taylor & Emmet’s Family Law and Family Mediation team. Emmet is here to remind us how important it is to remember the children in the cases that we deal with. In fact not only Read more…
Every Family Lawyer knows the feeling well. Telling the lovely client sitting opposite you that they have no claim against pension funds nor income of their long term partner following a recent split. Both of which they have managed to achieve in part because your client stayed home to look Read more…