Family Law

7th July 2020

Coronavirus and Child Contact Arrangements

One of the unfortunate, but not unexpected, results of the coronavirus pandemic has been an upsurge in arguments between separated parents over child contact arrangements.

Some parents have chosen to exploit the Government’s Covid-19 guidance and stop contact visits altogether.

The President of the Family Division, the most senior Family Court Judge in the country, Sir Andrew McFarlane, has warned that those exploiting the coronavirus lockdown for their own ends could face legal action. He has warned:

23rd June 2020

No Fault Divorce passes through House of Commons

‘No-fault divorce’ to finally become law after decades of campaigning

The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill has now cleared the final stages of parliamentary scrutiny in the House of Commons.

Resolution, the national family justice body, has been campaigning for over thirty years to end the requirement for couples to assign fault in order to be granted a divorce.

16th June 2020

Legal Aid Agency faces High Court Challenge over eligibility requirements

You may have heard or seen media reports that the Legal Aid Agency is currently facing a High Court challenge over its decision not to provide legal aid to a woman seeking to sort out arrangements for her children, and to contest an application by her ex-partner to sell their home.

Introduced in 2012, LASPO (the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act) rendered large cuts to legal aid in England and Wales.