MPs ignore severe child protection warnings from large body of experts, says Together for Children

Home > News Campaign group publishes synopsis of expert advice A new report, from Together for Children, says that a large body of experts has warned Members of Parliament of the grave danger of undoing decades of legal protection for vulnerable children and young people. This advice, the campaign group says, was ignored by the …

Supreme Court judgment gives further recognition to rights of cohabiting partners

The ever-developing law for cohabiting partners took another step forward after a landmark ruling in the Supreme Court allowed an unmarried woman’s appeal to receive a survivor’s pension from her deceased partner’s public sector pension scheme. The appellant, Ms Denies Brewster, resided with her partner Mr William Leonard McMullan at their jointly owned home in …

Domestic Violence and the Impact on Contact Re-examined

Home > Articles Cris McCurley, Partner in Ben Hoare Bell LLP and advisory board member of Rights of Women and Women’s Aid, considers recent developments concerning contact where there has been evidence of domestic violence, and the events which have led to them. Cris McCurley, Partner, Ben Hoare Bell LLP In 2004 Women’s Aid published …

Cohabiting partner wins pension fight in Supreme Court

Home > News Nomination requirement added nothing to evidential hurdle concerning cohabiting relationship The Supreme Court has unanimously allowed an appeal by Denise Brewster and declared that the requirement in the Local Government Pension Scheme (Benefits, Membership and Contributions) Regulations 2009 that the appellant and her late partner, William McMullan, should have made a nomination …

Insurance boss queries blanket increase in small claims limit

The campaign against blanket increases in the small claims limit for all personal injury claims gained an unexpected ally today.  Giving evidence to the House of Commons justice committee, Association of British Insurers director James Dalton said the increase to £5,000 should be implemented only for road traffic accident claims at this stage. The scope …

Pensions on divorce: another witches’ brew

Another Witches’ Brew provides an up-to-date domestic review of the treatment of pensions on divorce in light of the recent ‘pension freedom’ changes, state pension changes and up-to-date case-law. Many of the usual textbooks have yet to catch up with the significant changes which have occurred in the pension context in the last few years. …

France refuses to recognise Dubai divorce ruling that was ‘manifestly discriminatory’

Home > News Afsana Lachaux plans to pursue divorce and custody claims in UK Afsana Lachaux, who in 2014 lost custody of her son to her French ex-husband following a Sharia hearing in Dubai, has succeeded in an appeal before the Paris Court of Appeal against the judgment of the Tribunal de Grande Instance de …

Considering A Divorce? The First Four Things You Should Do

Considering a Divorce? The First Four Things You Should Do by Ellene Lammers Divorce is one of the most challenging and difficult times in an individual’s life. It is a process that takes time and patience, as it is a loss that must be coped with and adapted to. These are the four first steps …

Law Society may intervene in landmark fraud case

The Court of Appeal will be tasked with offering landmark guidance on the liability of professionals where property is purchased through an ID fraud. The Gazette exclusively revealed last week that City firm Mishcon de Reya faced a £1m payout after its client Dreamvar was duped into buying a London property from a tenant posing …

Is Your Divorce Lawyer Overcharging You?

Is your divorce lawyer overcharging you? How would you know? This is a great guest post by divorce attorney, Joshua Stern, who offers advice on ensuring you’re getting the most from your divorce attorney at reasonable, fair rates. How Do I Know If My Divorce Lawyer Is Overcharging Me? by Joshua Stern  When embarking on the …