Blog
Kingsley Napley’s Medical Negligence Team ‘walks together’ with the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity
Sharon Burkill
14 January 2014
The New Year brings welcome changes for same sex couples – but mind the gaps
2014 is set to be a historic year in the realm of family lives following a recent Government announcement. January is traditionally viewed as one of the bleakest months of the year with newspaper headlines boldly proclaiming that every other day is beating the previous one for the highest rates of people seeking divorces. However, amidst those difficult, and rather repetitive, headlines is the recent announcement by Culture Secretary Maria Miller declaring that the first same sex marriages in England and Wales can take place from 29 March 2014, several months earlier than originally anticipated.
23 October 2013
Recognising the wishes and feelings of children - how old is old enough?
Children grow up so quickly. They have opinions from a young age and our society encourages children to be confident and to speak out. From age 14, they make decisions about which GCSE and A Level subjects they want to study, which will impact their careers and the rest of their lives. But, at what point does the law recognise their opinions?
9 September 2013
Protecting yourself against future financial claims decades after marriage breakdown
The recent case of Vince v Wyatt [2013] EWCA Civ 495 is a stark example (and warning) of why it is becoming increasingly important to obtain a final financial order if you have taken the decision to get divorced, and why you should always retain any documentation relating to your divorce and financial matters.
22 August 2013
Preparing for marriage: the views of a family lawyer
All relationships require give and take from both parties and can, in spite of good intentions, be hard work at times.
I recently attended a marriage preparation meeting with my fiancé, run by our vicar ahead of our summer wedding. It made for an interesting discussion, during which we were asked some rather probing questions including; how well we communicate; how we manage our finances; whether we want children; what common interests we hold; how much time we spend together and how we intend to manage our finances (particularly if we have children).
29 April 2013
Family justice reforms: The demise of legal aid, the rise of the litigant in person and what lies ahead for family law
The government overhaul of legal aid (public funding) came into force on 1 April 2013 and is due to affect the entire justice system. Criminal barristers have begun striking, court staff are already striking and, with the family court system at breaking point, litigation is becoming even more of a last resort for privately paying clients.
