When a relationship ends, it’s natural to want the process to be as quick and affordable as possible. That’s why many couples are drawn to the idea of a DIY divorce, completing the forms online, paying the fee, and avoiding solicitor costs. On the surface, it feels simple and cost-effective. Read more…
In what seems like a surprising twist of societal trends, divorce rates have dramatically fallen to their lowest level in half a century, sparking a wave of intrigue. The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows a total of 80,057 divorces were granted in 2022, a significant decrease from Read more…
The Transparency Reporting Pilot, which was launched in Family Courts in Cardiff, Carlisle and Leeds last year and allowed journalists and legal bloggers to report on cases, has been deemed a great success and is to be extended. From 29th January 2024, a further 16 courts will now be included Read more…
It is not long until Christmas, and one of the most common enquiries from our clients is contact with their children over the festive period. Christmas can be a testing time between separated parents when trying to arrange who will get to see their child on the big day. Therefore, Read more…
Our family law experts are welcoming news from the courts that filing for divorce will have to be done online from September. As of September 13, using the digital divorce process will become mandatory for all solicitors, in a bid to speed up the system. Head of family law, Michaela Read more…
Friday’s big announcement that the government is to overhaul our divorce laws was music to the ears of family solicitors like me. Finally, we have taken a giant leap towards removing blame from the legal process and we might eventually see couples separating more quickly and with less acrimony. The Read more…
If ever there was a case for no fault divorce, poor Mrs Owens’ is it. It was announced yesterday that, despite taking her appeal to the Supreme Court, Tini Owens must remain married to her husband of 40 years because a “joyless” marriage is not adequate grounds for divorce if Read more…
A Court of Appeal judgement on 13th June 2017 in the case of Julie and Robin Sharp has muddied the waters for couples splitting assets after divorcing from a short marriage. In a High Court decision in November 2015 Mr Sharp was awarded half the assets after a 4 year Read more…
The general rule in the Family Courts is that cases are dealt with in private. This dates back to the Judicial Proceedings (Regulation of Reports Act) 1926. The Act states that it is unlawful to print or publish: The names, addresses and occupations of the parties and witnesses; A concise Read more…
The decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of Hugh and Tini Owens on 24th March 2017 is a backward step in divorce law in England and Wales. The Court of Appeal upheld a ruling in the lower court dismissing Mrs Owens’ divorce petition based on her husband’s Read more…