Latest Family Law News

African diplomat’s daughter made ward of court after FGM fears

The daughter of an African Diplomat based in London has been given special protection after concerns were raised that she may be subjected to female genital mutilation. The infant’s mother…

Mother’s application granted for summary return of children to France

A mother has been granted the application for summary return of her three children from the UK to France under the Hague Convention on child abduction. The case of D…

Mother given permission to appeal regarding deceased daughter’s eggs

The case of RM v HFEA (Re M) involves a mother who lost her daughter to cancer, aged 28, and is now seeking permission to fulfil her daughter’s wish of…

Ministry of Justice: Children outcomes after parental separation

The report by London School of Economics and commissioned by the MOJ analysed the UK Millennium Cohort Study, a study of around 19,000 children who were born in the UK…

Court of Appeal rules restrictions to legal aid for domestic violence victims are unlawful

The case of Rights of Women v The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice [2016] EWCA Civ 91 was heard on the 18th of February in the Court…

Government announces closure of 86 ‘unused’ courts

The Ministry of Justice undertook a consultation process discussing the future of courts in England and Wales; they have concluded from this consultation that 86 courts and tribunals are to…

Cafcass receive a 16% increase in care applications

Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service, better known as Cafcass, are independent from the courts, social services etc. and ensure decisions are made in the best interests of…

How do Judges decide custody battles?

It is undisputed that after separation, unless there are special circumstances, the best people to decide the custody arrangement for children are their parents. The parents know the family situation…

One in eight civil partnerships converted to same sex-marriage

A paper published by John Haskey, senior researcher in Oxford’s department of social policy and intervention, has revealed the effects of legislation on same sex marriages and civil partnerships and…

‘Important’ and ‘urgent’ changes to adoption law announced

The last two years have seen adoption rates fall by 50% leading the government to propose drastic changes, making it clear to councils that children must be placed with the…

Ministry of Justice publishes new resources for mediation

When separating, mediation is the first tool used by legal professionals and the court requires it to be tried before legal proceedings, unless special circumstances such as abuse or violence…

Coercive or controlling behaviour now a criminal offence

New legislation has been enacted to help victims suffering from emotional or psychological abuse. From 29 December, coercive and controlling behaviour has become a criminal offence under Section 76 of…

Number of looked after children highest since 1985

According to official statistics, the number of looked after children at the end of March 2015 totalled 69,540. This is an increase of 1% compared to last year and 6%…

Law Commission call for reform of outdated marriage law

The Law Commission has published a scoping paper after requests from the Government to establish whether the current law is adequate in providing a ‘fair and coherent legal framework for…

Funding re-introduced for paternity DNA testing in private cases

Cafcass and DNA legal, the government approved laboratory, are now able to facilitate DNA testing when the court finds there is disputed paternity in private cases. This change is welcomed…

African diplomat’s daughter made ward of court after FGM fears

Mother’s application granted for summary return of children to France

Mother given permission to appeal regarding deceased daughter’s eggs

Ministry of Justice: Children outcomes after parental separation

Court of Appeal rules restrictions to legal aid for domestic violence victims are unlawful

Government announces closure of 86 ‘unused’ courts

Cafcass receive a 16% increase in care applications

How do Judges decide custody battles?

One in eight civil partnerships converted to same sex-marriage

‘Important’ and ‘urgent’ changes to adoption law announced

Ministry of Justice publishes new resources for mediation

Coercive or controlling behaviour now a criminal offence

Number of looked after children highest since 1985

Law Commission call for reform of outdated marriage law

Funding re-introduced for paternity DNA testing in private cases

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