26 July 2019
Practical tips and legal issues to consider when separating from your spouse or partner
When a relationship breaks down resulting in a decision to separate, this is likely to create a challenging period for you and your family where you are faced with change and uncertainty about your future. Understandably, separation from a partner or spouse and thinking about how you will move forward and make decisions independently can be overwhelming. There are steps that you can take independently (some small and others requiring more commitment) in the short term to protect your emotional wellbeing and financial position. In this blog, we set out some examples of steps you can take.
8 May 2019
Coming soon: the Domestic Abuse Bill
On 21 January 2019, the draft Domestic Abuse Bill (“the Bill”) was published by the Government. The stated aim of the Bill is to protect and support victims and their families, pursue and deter offenders and improve the performance of local agencies and services in instances of domestic abuse. It is of relevance to both criminal and family law practitioners.
1 February 2019
Using a formula for spousal maintenance - does it add up?
When it comes to determining spousal maintenance - should we have a system which delivers an outcome that is certain or one which is discretionary? This was the topic of a lively debate hosted by the Kingsley Napley family team with a panel of speakers that included esteemed family law judges and QCs. Context was provided by Baroness Deech’s Divorce (Financial Provision) Bill which, at the time of the debate was at committee stage in the House of Lords (it is now at 2nd reading stage in the House of Commons).
21 January 2019
Brexit and the race to divorce courts
As 29 March 2019 approaches and the prospect of a ‘No Deal’ Brexit looms, an increasing number of European clients living in England are asking if they should issue divorce proceedings in England now to try and secure the English jurisdiction before Brexit. We have seen this trend since the Referendum on 23 June 2016.
11 January 2019
Pensions on divorce – mind the gap!
“Divorced Women missing out on Pensions Wealth” - so shouted the headline in the Daily Telegraph on the 7th January 2019, a date coincidentally dubbed “Divorce Day” by the media, so clever positioning by the Royal London to whose Director of Policy, Sir Steve Webb (the former Lib Dem MP and Minister of State for Pensions in the coalition government of David Cameron) the headline belongs.
