The family law newsletter provides you with all the latest news, judgments, articles and guidance to ensure you are up to date with the latest developments and their impact on practice.
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HHJ Bellamy issues local section 20 practice guidance29 January 2016
In the light of recent developments in case-law in respect of the use (and misuse) of section 20, Children Act 1989 by local authorities when children are voluntarily accommodated in their case, Leicester Designated Family Judge, HHJ Bellamy, has issued local section 20 practice guidance.
Family Law Awards 2016 details revealed29 January 2016
Jordan Publishing is pleased to announce that the 6th annual Family Law Awards will be held on Wednesday 23 November 2016 at the Bloomsbury Big Top, one of the most exclusive event venues in London.
Court of Protection to increase transparency with start of pilot scheme29 January 2016
A pilot scheme begins today which will see the public and media gain access to Court of Protection hearings across England and Wales for the first time.
The ICACU releases guidance on care cases with an international element28 January 2016
The International Child Abduction and Contact Unit (ICACU) has published a form and guidance notes where co-operation into and out of the jurisdiction under either Brussels IIa or under the 1996 Hague Convention is required in care proceedings.
Harsh evidence tests leave 40 per cent of domestic violence victims at risk28 January 2016
This month the Court of Appeal will decide whether to overturn a High Court ruling on the lawfulness of government changes to legal aid for domestic violence victims.
Parker J provides comprehensive review of the law and guidance on committal applications28 January 2016
In
W v H (No 2) (Contempt: Contents of Application Notice) [2015] EWHC 2436 (Fam) Parker J provides a comprehensive review of the law and guidance on the subject of committal applications in her decision on a wife's application for committal in respect of the husband's alleged breaches of a lump sum order and undertakings.
Trailblazing therapy helps warring parents work together in the interests of their children27 January 2016
A new programme has demonstrated that it is possible to successfully engage parents 'entrenched' in emotionally damaging and costly legal disputes surrounding the care of their children.
Resolution survey seeks views of family law professionals27 January 2016
Family Law organisation Resolution is conducting a survey and would like to hear from anyone working in the area of family law. The survey offers the opportunity to help make a difference and change the shape of family law.
LiP friendly private law orders released26 January 2016
The President of the Family Division, Sir James Munby, has announced that private law orders are to be updated. The prescribed orders that were produced in conjunction with the Child Arrangements Programme have not been doing what was intended of them - namely, to make life easier - and, so, a team of district judges have revisited the issue and produced new litigant-in-person-friendly drafts.
Articles
Marriage is here to stay: Steinfeld and Another v Secretary of State for Education [2016] EWHC 128 (Admin)Mark Sage
29 January 2016
Further to my post 'Could this be the end of marriage?', it would appear not after the
High Court today rejected the claims of Ms Steinfeld and Mr Keidan to change the law to allow them to enter a civil partnership.
Press reporting of care proceedingsLucy Reed and Louise Tickle
29 January 2016
In this article we consider our recent experience of applying for, and securing, permission to report the details of care proceedings in the case of
Tickle v Council of the Borough of North Tyneside & Others [2015] EWHC 2991 (Fam( (19 October 2015).
PSL Essential Update - January: what's new for the New Year?Paula Tanner
29 January 2016
As usual for this time of year, January has been a fairly quiet month for family law news, following the Christmas and New Year break. However, there have been some interesting developments.
Researching Reform: Why children will matter in 2016Natasha Phillips
27 January 2016
Child welfare as an area of policy has never been regarded as a political priority, and, whilst children should always matter regardless of time or place, this has not always been the case in world history - or British politics.
Clerklife: I've got the power!Not A Barrister
26 January 2016
After successfully booking in my first case, I was now deemed trustworthy enough to take phone calls and, very occasionally, if everyone else was too busy and it wasn't a complicated request, I was allowed to book cases into the diary.
