Simon Leach

Sometimes when the family court orders a payment to be made by your former spouse to settle a financial claim in divorce proceedings, the money owed is not always handed over when it should be. Where this happens it can be difficult to know what to do....

Northants Family Law has recently been involved in a case which included an application under Family Procedure Rules 2010 Rule 12.75 for the disclosure of redacted documents to the media and/or the client’s MP. The team had represented the...

In this latest blog article, Family Law Group looks at the idea of extending civil partnerships to include sibling couples. There has been much comment and debate in the press over a recent court victory by a man and woman who won the right to have a civil...

Men suffering domestic abuse should not be afraid to seek help and should look for support, claims one of the region’s leading family law experts. Simon Leach, of Nottingham Family Law, said he hoped publicity surrounding the case of Alex Skeel, whose...

As part of any discussion regarding family finances following divorce, it is important to consider pensions. As Simon Leach, family law expert with Family Law Group in Nottingham explains, this is particularly so if compared to your former spouse you...

If you are going through a divorce, or are trying to agree child arrangements or settle care proceedings, it can be difficult to bite your tongue when things do not go your way. The temptation to share your frustrations can be even greater when the...

A Thought Leader article published in the December 2017 edition of Lawyer Monthly. My name is Simon Leach and I am the Managing Director of Family Law Group, a regional law practice specialising in family law. Our firm started in 2005, having...

Research released this week by The Nuffield Foundation indicates that many couples pretend adultery has been committed in order to quicken divorce proceedings. The research shows that the process needs overhauling, states a Nottingham firm of family law...

In a successful mediation, everyone works cooperatively to reach a fair settlement of their dispute. So what are the key elements to keeping your mediation on track? Here are ten rules to follow: Participation Participation and being...

In a bid to make the divorce and dissolution of civil partnerships process easier for separating couples to understand, the government introduced a new set of forms to apply for divorce or dissolution in August this year. It is possible that, because of...

Leading family law experts have warned that a call for civil partnerships for heterosexual couples shows that the law is not doing enough for people who live together. Family Law Group comments that society is beginning to demand legal changes, which will...

For unmarried, separated or divorced parents, taking your child on holiday this summer may require careful negotiation with the other parent. This is especially likely if you do not have parental responsibility for your child entitling you to take...

A recent government decision to scrap the time limit for submitting Legal Aid applications is very welcome news for all family law experts. The current five-year time limit will be removed completely according to the Ministry of Justice after...

Over the past 20 years cohabiting couples have become the fastest growing family type in the UK, with some 3.3 million couples now choosing to live together without getting married. Many people in this situation mistakenly believe that if they split up or...

A fascinating insight into the thinking of one of our country’s most eminent and erudite judges. He raises several questions which go far beyond the connection between child protection and adoption. ...

Unacceptable behaviour from a former partner, such as threats of violence, stalking or harassment, does not have to be tolerated. Simon Leach, family law solicitor at Family Law Group in Nottingham explains how you could obtain a court order called an...

One of the biggest concerns for any parent who has separated or divorced will be household finances, particularly when there are children to provide for. If you are concerned that the financial arrangements you have made with your former spouse or partner...

Refuge, the leading voice for campaigning against domestic violence, has been named Family Law Group’s Charity of the Year. The growing law firm will fundraise for the charity over the course of the year, with the aim of raising as much money as...

Competition can stifle encouragement and limits thinking, according to Nancy Kline in her book, "Time To Think." The essence of our mediation practice is about working in collaboration to help our clients find the best solutions for their family....

Parents with financial stakes in the purchase of homes for newly married children are behind a rise in pre-nuptial agreements, claims a leading family law expert. Simon Leach, of Family Law Group said the agreements, which protect assets that couples have...

Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 commonly referred to as Brussels II Revised or ‘BIIR’. BIIR has been used to transfer Public Law Proceedings concerning children to other jurisdictions within the European Union. The general rule under...

One of the many issues to be resolved upon divorce or separation is what happens to the assets of the marriage, such as who retains the house or whether it should be sold. On the other hand, you also need to decide what happens with any debts of the...

American research into divorce trends has found that divorce is seasonal with immediate spikes in marriage breakdowns after the summer and winter holidays, which is in line with British relationship break ups, claims a leading family law expert. The US...

The legal structure of Britain will not be altered for some “considerable time” following the decision to leave the European Union, says a leading Family Law expert. Simon Leach of Family Law Group said now that the dust is beginning to settle...

The excitement over planning a wedding can take over the whole family, but prudent brides, grooms and their families should not overlook the financial implications of their future nuptials. Making a prenuptial agreement before you get married can take away...

The fee for lodging a divorce petition is rising from £410 to £550, as the Ministry of Justice raises its fees to pay for the overall cost of administering justice. The MoJ anticipates that the increase in a wide range of court fees will...

A disappointing Christmas will see many couples in the region seeking a new start in 2016, claims a leading family law expert. Simon Leach, of Family Law Group, based in Nottingham said that marital difficulties come into focus more over the holidays...

Two women’s victories against ex-husbands who deceived them about their wealth in divorce proceedings could mean many thousands of people returning to court, say Family Law experts.

Nottingham Family Law Group has said removing blame from divorce will make it easier for people to manage their separation with as little conflict and stress as possible, and reduce the likelihood that they will end up in court.

A row filled festive break will see many couples in the region heading to solicitors to seek divorces as soon as 2015 starts. Simon Leach, of Family Law Group says that the Christmas period is often the final straw in difficult partnerships. “The...

Destructive court fights are wrecking lives and separating couples have to find a way to part amicably for the good of their welfare, claims a regional family law expert. Simon Leach, of Family Law Group speaking at the start of Family Dispute resolution...

Simon Leach, Director of Family Law Group comments that a Court of Appeal battle brought by the former wife of a millionaire accountant, could lead to more women battling over the money of their ex-husbands. He said that the case of Julia Hammans, who is...

The ruling of a top Judge has sent a ‘dire warning’ to divorcing woman dating before the financial settlement with their ex has been finalised warns one of the region’s top family lawyers. Simon Leach, of Family Law Group said the ruling...

Divorce lawyers in Nottingham are preparing themselves for one of the busiest times of the year following miserable summer holidays for many couples. Over 40 per cent of marriages end in divorce with September, following the summer holidays, and January...