In the past few weeks, many recognised news outlets have commented that the heterosexual divorce rate has hit a 45 year low. For those readers who scan the headlines but don’t delve deeper into the story it is a headline, which paints a rosy picture...
Our News
As a step-parent who is getting divorced or going through separation, you may feel confused over what rights you will have in relation to your step-children especially if you have spent many years living as a family and have grown to love them as your...
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...
Why did you become a Solicitor? I became interested in studying law when I was at school. I was attracted to what I perceived to be the exciting drama in the courtroom and it was always my intention to aim for the criminal bar. English...
An unhappily married women in her 60s who today lost a Supreme Court appeal to be granted a divorce, shows an outdated system in need of change, say family law experts. Mrs Owens, 68, wanted the court to grant her a divorce from her husband of 40 years....
The average household in the UK now has debts of around £58,000 according to The Money Charity. Trying to keep on top of this can be a major source of stress and according to the relationship counselling service, Relate, debt is cited as the...
One of the region’s leading divorce specialists has called for the law to be overhauled to stop couples needlessly blaming the other for relationship breakdown. Family Law Group commented that the current laws in place means that all divorces need to...
The discovery of an affair, concern about an expected inheritance being squandered or pressure from family or associates to protect your business interests are all possible reasons you might consider making a postnuptial agreement. Like a prenuptial...
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 leading law firm specialising in family law has continued its expansion, with the appointment of a solicitor with more than 25 years’ experience in this field. Rachel Maclean has joined Nottingham Family Law, where she reacquaints herself with the...
A Nottingham law firm has given a helping hand after thieves stole equipment from a voluntary group helping the region’s deaf. Nottinghamshire Deaf Society suffered two break-ins at its headquarters in Nottingham city centre on Thursday, March 8 and...
The relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren can be very special and one that most parents fully support. On occasions, however, access can be cut off or restricted, causing hurt and upset. In the first of a two-part series of...
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...
Christmas is a magical time of the year for children. There is the anticipation of the presents they may receive, the relief of having a few weeks off school and the excitement of seeing friends and family. The hopes of what Christmas may bring...
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...
This article is designed to provide a useful guide to the subject of vulnerable clients and witnesses. Vulnerable Clients As Solicitor Advocates, we are the main link between the Court and our clients. It is therefore a key element of...
One of the most frequently asked questions of our mediation team is from clients enquiring whether they qualify for Legal Aid for their MIAMS or mediation meetings. This article aims to clarify the situation in light of changes to the law that stipulate...
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...
When couples separate, most of the arrangements regarding children can usually be resolved between the parents amicably. However, in rare cases, the relationship between the parents may have broken down to such an extent that one parent feels compelled...
What are fact-finding hearings? In proceedings involving children, the Family court will see if agreement can be reached on all relevant issues at the early hearing in any case. If this is not possible, the court will make its decision at a...
If you are receiving spousal maintenance from your former husband, wife or civil partner you may be able to ask for an increase in payments if your circumstances have changed and your former spouse or partner can afford it. Amanda Brown, family law expert at...
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...
Sarah Lockson, from our Nottingham office can now provide Life Coaching for anyone going through a separation or divorce and who is struggling to get their life back on track. Sometimes the fear of making changes or having to start again can...
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...
An introduction to Siobhan Thompson, Associate Solicitor In work I am a Children Panel Member and Solicitor, whilst outside of work I am a family girl, bit of a thrill seeker and adrenaline junky. I love being adventurous, body building, music and...
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...
Family Law Group were proud to be VIP guests at the first ICA (Innovate/Collaborate/Accelerate) conference in Milton Keynes on 29 March 2017 held by Jeanius Consulting and Marketing By Us at the Open University. With Milton Keynes recognised as one of the...
One of the most frequently asked questions of our mediation team is from clients enquiring whether they qualify for Legal Aid for their MIAMS or mediation meetings. This article aims to clarify the situation in light of recent changes to the law that...
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...
Family Law Group keenly await the ruling of the Court of Appeal in the case involving a woman struggling to divorce her husband, as reported by BBC News. Dan Cooper of Milton Keynes Family Law Group comments, "For many years lawyers have...
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...
Ben Clulee Senior Associate Solicitor with Family Law Group gives his recent experience of representing a client of Gambian origin on an application made by a local authority for a Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Protection Order within the Family Court. In...
The Christmas and New Year period can be a difficult time for many people; it is an opportunity for family and friends to get together, but it can add to the pressures when a marriage is in trouble. For most family lawyers, January is one of the busiest...
Fixed term contracts could be the answer for some people looking to secure their future, claims leading family law experts. Agreements lasting for up to a decade have been discussed in the national press, leading to speculation that people may be tempted to...
Abusive relationships come in many forms. Most people would probably recognise a violent relationship and may even know a friend or relative who has been the victim of physical violence. However, it may not be quite so easy to recognise an abusive...
For most, Christmas is a wonderful time of the year and an opportunity to spend quality time with the family. It can also be an incredibly emotional time of the year, particularly for those parents who are no longer together. One of the most difficult...
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....
Family Law Group Mediation work towards a WIN-WIN situation for all clients and here is a short story about negotiation to illustrate the point. Many years ago, a man died and left his camels to his three sons; one-half to the oldest, one-third to the...
When love is in the air and your thoughts turn to moving in together, the last thing on your minds will be the practicalities of splitting-up. When married couples divorce there are specific laws that give rights and obligations towards each other, and...
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...
Amanda joined the family team in 2001, which then became Family Law Group in 2005. When Amanda joined, it became apparent to her that she would be joining a focused and highly competitive team, so needed to be the very best at what she did. Amanda is a...
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...
When you have taken the difficult step of deciding to separate or divorce, working out your future arrangements for your children, property, maintenance payments and shared business interests can lead to a great deal of anguish. If you have not come to an...
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...
Local charity Macmillan Cancer Support is set to benefit thanks to the fundraising efforts of a local firm of Solicitors, Nottingham Family Law. The Nottingham based solicitors will be putting their baking skills to the test by holding a coffee morning...
Raj Chahal, a Senior Associate in the Private and Public Law Children department of Family Law Group in Nottingham, has secured accreditation as a specialist in Private Law Children and Domestic Abuse. Resolution is an association of Solicitors committed to...
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...
More has to be done to save marriages in light of alarming report Dealing with previously happy couples splitting up is never easy even for those of us who are in the midst of sorting out marriage break-ups. Like all responsible family law experts, we...
With the school holidays upon us, many parents will be preparing themselves for six weeks of juggling their work commitments and spending time with their children. For divorced or separated parents, being able to rely on each other for backup...
Marie Gallacher, Senior Associate and Accredited Mediator at our Wellingborough office will be providing a talk on mediation to the Team of Action for Children. This will take place at the Penrith Drive Children’s Centre on 24 August 2016 to raise...
Our Milton Keynes office held their annual Family Fun Day on Sunday 17 July 2016 to raise money for MK Dons Sport and Educational Trust (SET). The day was focused on the whole family, with entertainment and activities for children of all ages....
Impact of changes to domestic violence evidence under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 Richard Port, Solicitor and domestic violence specialist at Family Law Group comments on the recent changes to Legal Aid, time limits and...
Local charity Action for Children is set to benefit thanks to the fundraising efforts of a local firm of Solicitors, Northants Family Law. The Wellingborough Family Fun Day is the second fundraising event to be held by the firm, with this year’s event...
Suzy Miller is the UK’s unique ‘Alternative Divorce Guide’, Public Speaker and Trainer, featured on Radio 4 Women’s Hour , the Daily Mail and C5’s The Vanessa Show . Suzy has an ILM Level 3 Diploma in Leadership and...
Our Milton Keynes office is holding a Family Fun Day on 17 July 2016 at Linford Manor Park. There will be lot's of activities, with fun and entertainment for the whole family, including a junior football competition, face painting, live music, bouncy...
Family Law Group is pleased to announce that we are holding a fundraising event on 20 June 2016 to raise money for When You Wish Upon a Star. All of our offices across Nottingham, Wellingborough, Northampton, Milton Keynes, Chesterfield, Derby and...
A Chesterfield law firm is celebrating after one of its solicitors appeared on a list of top legal professionals in the UK, according to The Sunday Times. Jonathan Corbishley of Chesterfield Family Law appeared in a listing of top IFAs and solicitors in The...
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...
We are pleased to announce that Aimee Martin from our Nottingham office has this week been appointed onto the Board of Trustees as a Director for the Citizen’s Advice Bureau in Loughborough. Aimee has volunteered there for the last...
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.
Exasperated grandparents are turning to the legal system so they can see their grandchildren claims one of the region’s leading experts in family law.
Family Law Group has promoted a member of its legal team in Milton Keynes to Associate Director. Dan Cooper joined Family Law Group four years ago and specialises in Children cases. Having previously trained as a Solicitor in Matrimonial Finance, Dan...
Northants Family Law, located on Spencer Parade, provides the base for the second branch of the firm in the county with its other office in nearby Wellingborough.
Unmarried couples need to take steps to prevent bruising court battles if they split up, warns a leading family law expert. Simon Leach, of Family Law Group said legal battles over co-habiting couples are being increasingly highlighted in the profession and the onus is upon legal professionals to get the message across to the public that they need to take steps to protect themselves.
Family Law Group’s front line staff have been brushing up on what it is that delivers excellent customer service. We welcomed Paul Beesley, from leadership and management consultancy, Beyond Theory for an in-house training session to all our staff who deal with the public on a daily basis.
England’s first divorce centres will cut bureaucracy and won’t affect the institution of marriage claims a leading legal expert.
Simon Leach, Director of Family Law Group said divorce paperwork being completed outside courts is long overdue.
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 Nottingham law practice is toasting the success of a ‘rising star’ who has qualified as a solicitor. Shamiza Zia, will now be one of the leading figures at Nottingham Family Law Group, based at the firm’s Albion Street headquarters in the city centre.
Children are being reintroduced to parents they’ve lost contact with following a marriage break up with the help of leading family law experts. Nottingham Family Law Group are now providing direct consultation services with children in a mediation...
Ben Clulee, Senior Associate of our Derbyshire office has been featured as a Chesterfield Champion in the Derbyshire Times today. I’m 34 years of age and recently a married man as of November 2014. I've worked in Chesterfield since September...
On 23 January 2015, Family Law Group staff attended the Northamptonshire Family Justice Board Conference entitled ‘Changing Family Law for Northamptonshire’. Kerrie-Ann Downing, Trainee Solicitor in Milton Keynes reports on the conference content...
Each year Family Law Group chooses a charity to support for the year. This is because our team enjoys getting involved in fund raising activities and want to put something back into the community, whilst having fun. We always aim to select a charity that...
A Nottingham junior football team has been kitted out ready for the worst the British weather has in store thanks to one of the region’s legal specialists. Cotgrave FC under 7s team have been given winter jackets sponsored by Nottingham Family Law,...
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...
Family Law Group joined the nations fundraising efforts for Children in Need on Friday 14th November 2014. We took part in various activities to raise funds, including an auction of staff offers of help, wearing yellow clothing, eating competitions and...
Following the recent success of the free advice surgery in Buxton, the Chesterfield Family Law office announces that they will be starting two more surgeries, in the areas of Matlock and Bakewell. The Matlock advice surgery will commence on 6th November...
Family Law Group is pleased to announce that they will be providing an advice surgery for women in Nottinghamshire, commencing on 4th November 2014. We will be providing a free advice session for matters relating to family law, domestic or honour-based...
Changes are being made to family mediation funding which are expected to come into effect on 3rd November 2014. These changes mean that the legal aid budget will fund a MIAMS meeting and first mediation session for both parties, if one of the parties is...
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...
Milton Keynes Family Law will continue as a Friend of the Trust, a scheme which raises vital funds for the MK Dons Sport and Education Trust, as well as remain the player sponsor of talented young striker Giorgio Rasulo. Dan Cole, Corporate Partnerships...
Milton Keynes Family Law are inviting partners, clients, colleagues and local contacts to attend a celebration of the opening of the firm’s new office. The new office, which the firms Milton Keynes staff moved into last month, will be officially...
The Chesterfield branch of Family Law Group announce that they have joined the Chesterfield Champions scheme, to become part of a network of companies that are helping to drive development of the local economy and promote everything that is good about...
Our Chesterfield Family Law office will be running a Legal Advice Surgery starting on 9th October 2014 at Fairfield Sure Start Childrens Centre, Victoria Park Road, Fairfield, Buxton, SK17 7PE between 2.00 and 5.00pm. This new advice surgery will enable...
Nick Flatt, Director at our Wellingborough office is taking part in Go Sober October to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. By signing up to be a sober-hero, Nick is doing something amazing for people with cancer. All the money raised by Going Sober...
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...
Family Law Group enjoyed a great day of rowing at the Nene Valley Dragon Boat Race on 31st August 2014 and have so far raised in excess of £260 for Cransley Hospice and Lakelands Care Hospice. Our team, The SolicitOars, made huge improvements in our...