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The question of whether the family courts should be opened to the public is a complex and contentious issue. Those arguing in favour of an open family court system recognise that transparency is necessary to ensure fairness, accountability and public trust in the judicial system. However, although this proposition sounds admirable, it must not be... Continue Reading →
Whether it is a divorce, child arrangements, or financial issues on separation, family disputes can be stressful and overwhelming. Mediation is a way that can help you resolve these disputes and find a way forward. This year marks the 40th anniversary of National Family Mediation which is the largest provider of family mediation in England... Continue Reading →
What is the domestic Abuse Act 2021? The Domestic Abuse Act is a crucial piece of legislation that was passed in April 2021 by the UK government. In 2018, the government launched a consultation on domestic abuse which received over 3,200 responses. These responses included survivors, legal professionals and many charities. This consultation was used... Continue Reading →
What is IVF? IVF stands for In Vitro Fertilisation and is a process where fertilisation takes place outside of the human body. An egg is removed from a woman’s ovaries and is fertilised with sperm in a laboratory to create an embryo. The embryo is then inserted back into the woman’s womb to allow the... Continue Reading →
As a child I had always been fond of the idea of marriage; a sacred ceremony promising dedication towards another for eternity, but this fantasy has shifted since understanding its origins. Marriage is often portrayed in media as a party: white dresses, fancy clothing and delectable food without acknowledging that it is embedded with outdated... Continue Reading →
Services that the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) are implementing/have implemented will support survivors of domestic abuse to make the choice about whether they want the CMS to collect and make child maintenance payments on their behalf without obtaining the consent of the abusive other parent. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said that this... Continue Reading →
I am unsure if I am currently in a domestic abuse situation. What are the potential signs? There are different types of domestic abuse. These include emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour, and threats and intimidation. Signs of emotional abuse can include putting the blame on you, distorting your... Continue Reading →
What is legal aid? Legal aid is a government funded scheme that helps individuals meet the cost of legal advice, mediation and legal representation. The Legal Aid Agency is in charge of providing both civil and criminal legal aid in England and Wales. There are usually three considerations for legal aid: Scope: Does the case... Continue Reading →
Problem One: “I have a five-year-old daughter. My ex-partner (the mother of my child) won’t let me have any contact with my daughter. I have done nothing wrong; we just ended the relationship on bad terms. She is using our daughter as a weapon against me. What shall I do?” Firstly, assuming that you were... Continue Reading →
There are an increasing number of couples who are choosing to simply cohabit together, rather than actually get married or enter into a civil partnership. In 2021, there were around 3.6 million cohabiting couples, making this the second largest family type in the UK. Therefore, it is important that people are aware of the protection, or lack... Continue Reading →
A Family Affair 