Posts
Transparency Project News Jan 2020
This blog post originally appeared as the Transparency Project’s monthly column in Family Law for January 2020 at Family Law [[2020] Fam Law 118. Legal blogging We were thrilled to be awarded the Bar Pro Bono Innovation award, for our work on the legal blogging pilot,...
The President’s guidance for the Family Court on Covid 19
The President, Sir Andrew McFarlane, has issued the following national guidance and asked that it be shared widely: SIR ANDREW MCFARLANE PRESIDENT OF THE FAMILY DIVISION AND HEAD OF FAMILY JUSTICE COVID 19: National Guidance for the Family Court 19th...
Secret babies – non-notification of dads and extended families
Last year, we wrote a post about non-notification of fathers about family court applications where there was a history of violence or abuse, in particular where a child had been conceived of rape (See : When should I apply for permission not to notify a father about a...
“In the battle between the parents both children risk being run over by the tanks”
This judgment, startlingly, comprises 500 paragraphs, although with a helpful List of Contents added by HHJ Dancey, at Bournemouth Family Court. The case is called JD and another v VB and others [2020] EWFC 16. The judge’s opening paragraphs [1-4] grab attention: “In...
How technology almost thwarted the family courts again (Z (A Child: committal proceeding))
Z (A Child: committal proceeding) [2020] EWFC B5 (24 January 2020) concerned committal proceedings (i.e. proceedings about whether a party should be sent to prison) within a broader private law dispute between two parents over their child, ‘Z’. Father...
Family Court Reporting Watch Roundup
Welcome to this month's Roundup, where we correct, clarify and comment on media reports of family court cases, explain and comment on published family court judgments and highlight other transparency news MEDIA COVERAGE OF FAMILY COURT MATTERS Most media outlets and...
The Sheikh Story
There’s been an enormous amount of publicity about the case of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his sixth wife, Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, since the judgments were released yesterday. Sheikh Mohammed is the head of state of Dubai and has strong...
Compensation on divorce – don’t get (too) excited NOW UPDATED*
The Guardian has reported on a divorce case where the wife has received half of the assets plus another £400,000 to compensate her ‘relationship – generated disadvantage: giving up work as a solicitor to become primary carer to the parties’ children while the husband...
Approaching Forced Marriage Protection Orders following Re K
This is a guest post by Laura Vickers. Laura is a specialist children law barrister and mediator practising at No5 Barristers’ Chambers. She tweets as @LauraVickersNo5 Outline This post considers the guidance given by the President of the Family Division in the recent...
More openness from the President
The President of the Family Division Sir Andrew McFarlane has taken the very brave decision to give an open explanation of his need to undergo open heart surgery next month, in order to explain the impact it will have on planned work in coming months. Everyone here at...