Michael Cork is an accredited mediator who has worked with Family Law Group since 2014. In the first of his four blogs, he looks at how mediation can work in family disputes in particular around child arrangements.
Our News
We sat down with Kerry Avis from our Peterborough office to ask about her days, how she started her career, and what advice she can impart for individuals looking to start in law.
Family Law Group is pleased to announce our expansion into a larger office space based in the heart of Bedford city
If you are coming out of a relationship, whether you were cohabiting, married or in a civil partnership, you may be asking if you need to formalise that separation.
Emilie Haine, a solicitor at Family Law Group, Cambridge, explores the impact of the High Court’s recent decision that it was unfair to deny a mother Legal Aid due to the value of the house she owns with her ex-partner. This case has provided important clarification for domestic abuse victims seeking legal assistance.
Following on from Alexandra Johnson’s article on when inheritance may be taken into consideration in the division of the matrimonial finances.
Bringing up the subject of a prenuptial agreement can be as daunting as popping the question, perhaps more so as it raises the issue that the marriage might not last. But how should you react if you have been asked to sign an agreement?
We sat down with Imrana Masters from our Peterborough office to ask about her days, how she started her career and what advice she can impart for individuals looking to start in law.
As we near the end of 2020, Family Law Group will continue to provide support for all your Family Law matters over the festive period.
As the Government announces via the Office for National Statistics that divorces in England and Wales exceeded 100,000 last year (2019), the media are widely reporting this as a significant increase of 18.4% on the previous year where cases were around the 90,000 mark
Family Law Group is delighted to continue its expansion, despite the current economic uncertainty due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Going through divorce and dividing financial assets is always difficult. There is so much to consider and the law can be complicated. Things, unfortunately, can become even more complicated when one spouse has inherited funds which they want to retain for themselves.
If you are contemplating divorce, then you may need to consider whether it would be beneficial to commence proceedings prior to Brexit. This is particularly important if either you or your spouse are nationals of another EU country, if you last resided in another EU country while married, or if there are marital assets such as property in another EU country.
We sat down with Emilie Haine from our Cambridge offices to ask about her days, how she started her career and what advice she can impart for individuals looking to start in law.
Domestic abuse can destroy families and lives and we at Family Law Group are aware that not everyone knows who to turn to for legal assistance. Megan Edwards, solicitor at Milton Keynes Family Law examines what options legal options there are, what support networks are available and whether Legal Aid might be available to assist.
If you are contemplating getting divorced then your future financial security is likely to be a key concern, particularly if you gave up or compromised a promising career to look after children and support your spouse in their career. High costs and scarcity of childcare can also make it necessary for one parent to give up work, and a lengthy break can make it very difficult to return to working at the same salary level and getting a career back on track.
Family Law Group is pleased to congratulate Aimee Booth, who qualified as a Solicitor on 2 October 2020.
We sat down with Haidee French from our Northampton office to ask about her days, how she started her career and what advice she can impart for individuals looking to start in law.
We sat down with Joanne Millership from our Derbyshire offices to ask about her days, how she started his career and what advice she can impart for individuals looking to start in law.
A separation will inevitably mean a change in the family dynamic, and you may be concerned about what this will mean for your relationship with your children. New arrangements will have to be put in place in relation to where the children will reside, and what time they will spend with each parent.
Family Law Group is continuing to strengthen its team, with a member of staff recently qualifying as Solicitor. The firm currently is celebrating the qualification of William Matheson to a Solicitor from September 2020.
Family Law Group is continuing to strengthen its team, with another young lawyer having been promoted within the business. The firm currently is celebrating the progression of Claire Howard, who recently secured a role as an Associate Solicitor commencing September 2020.
We sat down with Ben Lawson from our Derbyshire office to ask about his days, how he started his career and what advice he can impart for individuals looking to start in law. Q1. Why did you become a Solicitor? I have wanted to be...
Unprecedented increase in children being taken into parents care during lockdown “The UK legal system has seen an unprecedented rise in Care Proceedings, which has seen a rise in children being removed from their parents care,” says Jessica...
If you are considering divorce and have ties to more than one country, then where you issue your proceedings can impact the outcome. These types of divorce are commonly known as cross-border, and typically we think of countries outside the United Kingdom. But a recent judgment in the Supreme Court has highlighted that even the borders within our shores can affect the outcome in the agreement of maintenance after divorce.
A Public Law Outline (PLO) can be daunting and at times hard to understand. Mahbuba Akhtar, a Trainee Solicitor at Family Law Group, Nottingham office explains what a PLO case is and how we can help you every step of the way. What is the Public Law Outline...
We sat down with Johanna Brewer from our Derbyshire office to ask about her days, career and what advice she can inpart for individuals looking to start in law.
Prior to the COVID- 19 pandemic and lockdown, the use of video conferencing in mediation was a rare and underused resource. Now, Michael Cork, a mediator with the Nottingham office of Family Law Group, examines his experiences with this new technology and how it has changed the landscape of mediation.
We sat down with Jonathan Corbishley from our Chesterfield office to ask about his days, career and what advice he can inpart for individuals looking to start in law. Q1. Why did you become a Solicitor? I had always been...
The coronavirus pandemic has turned most of our world upside down, causing economic hardship for many people and job losses are expected to continue as the furlough scheme comes to an end.
Royal Assent has being gained for the Divorce Bill which is very welcomed news. Whilst a ‘no blame divorce’ will not be available until approximately October 2021, it is a step closer to allowing parties to divorce without having to blame the...
When the Local Authority initiate court proceedings in respect of a child, the parents of that child have the opportunity to put forward people they want to be assessed as alternative carers.
If you are in the middle of getting divorced, or contemplating getting divorced, you may be worried about how the present COVID-19 pandemic will impact on your financial security after separation. If financial arrangements are disputed, how easy will it be to come to an arrangement and move on with your life?
Sadly, if you are experiencing abuse in your marriage, you are far from being alone with research suggesting that as many as one in four women and one in eight men will experience it at some point.
When a child is born, their name is then registered on their birth certificate. It is common for a child to be given the same surname as the father, both for married and unmarried couples. If parents then separate or divorce, it is usual for the child to keep their surname, however, people often ask the question, can I change my child’s surname?
A firm of solicitor’s specialising in family law has continued it’s expansion, despite the current economic uncertainty due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Following separation parents usually want to minimise any disruption to their children, ensuring that they soon settle into a new routine - whether that is in the existing family home, or following a move to a new home.
If your partner owned their home when you moved in together, then it is not uncommon to agree to pay all or most of the bills as a way of sharing living costs without the hassle of changing the mortgage paperwork or the legal title.
When a relationship has broken down and you are contemplating separating, a key concern will be where you will be able to live, especially if you have children and have built a family home together over many years.
Our family solicitors outline what help is available to you if you are facing a violent or abusive partner during lockdown.
It’s hard to believe that just a few months ago, as we were putting away the Christmas decorations, most of us had not heard of Coronavirus. Now here we are, half way through 2020 and it seems the world has turned on its head. We cannot downplay the...
In many divorce cases, what should happen with the family home can be the most contentious issue. Often it is the most valuable asset within the marriage, although the pensions can sometimes exceed the value of the family home and it really depends on...
The COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak has brought about seismic changes to the way that we as a society live our lives, changes that were unimaginable at the turn of the year other than in the minds of Hollywood directors (the film “Contagion” now...
Coronavirus and Child Arrangements The current unprecedented times are leading to uncertainty throughout British society. As family lawyers we are receiving a significant number of enquiries from separated parents about how and whether they should...
Family Law Group is actively following Government guidelines to prevent the spread of infection and reduce the risk to our clients, members of the public and staff of being exposed to the virus. Whilst taking these measures very seriously, we are still...
Family Law Group is actively following Government guidelines to prevent the spread of infection and reduce the risk to our clients, members of the public and staff of being exposed to the virus. To assist with this we are now encouraging our clients to...
Law professionals are questioning the treatment of domestic abuse victims within the family court environment and whether or not it provides a safe place for them during court cases. Judges holding “outdated views” on sexual violence and issues...
For those of us growing up in the 70s, whilst there were clearly single-parent families around, divorce was still the exception rather than the rule. It also often, and sadly, carried with it a social stigma, which could be all too apparent to those children...
A proposal for DNA testing of family members can arise in a number of circumstances, most commonly where there are questions over paternity (although occasionally maternity is tested too) when establishing contact and residence, or when determining a...
We are delighted to announce that we are now offering a discount on our fees to all Emergency Services & Armed Forces workers. We are offering 50% discount on the first hourly rate appointment for all family legal services (subject to...
It is not uncommon for a divorcing couple to have some property in another country, whether this is a holiday home in the sun or the alps, a property in your country of birth, or an investment in commercial property or assets abroad. ‘The term...
With family units becoming more diverse, there has been an increased demand in lesbian couples seeking fertility treatment, when couples’ thoughts turn to children. The law relating to legal parenthood and parental responsibility is an important...
Husbands, wives and civil partners can find themselves abandoned through a variety of different situations. Sometimes the reason is obvious, such as a forced marriage, a scam marriage where one person was simply seeking a visa, an abusive marriage or...
According to the most recent Home Office Statistics in 2018, there were 1,764 cases of forced marriage involving Government intervention. Forced marriage is a crime that goes under the radar, yet is quite common and should be brought into the open more when...
What is Honour-Based Violence? Honour-based violence is a violent crime or incident which may have been committed to protect or defend the honour of a family or community. Honour-based violence is often linked to family members or acquaintances who...
It may seem a little soon to be talking about Christmas and for many that is true. But when it comes to resolving child arrangements over the Christmas holidays now really is the time to plan ahead. Many people leave child arrangements until it...
What is Legal Aid? Legal Aid is a publicly funded scheme operated by the government to allow people on low incomes to access legal advice without the fees attached. How Do I Know if I Will Qualify? Whether you qualify for Legal Aid will firstly be...
I have recently concluded a financial dispute arising from a divorce using Arbitration as an alternative to a Court final hearing. As a solicitor who has been dismayed to see clients embroiled in unnecessarily lengthy, costly and protracted Court...
I have recently handled an unusual case where the issue for consideration was whether parental responsibility could be removed from a married father. In order to consider whether parental responsibility can be removed, the question that must first be asked...
When couples separate and divorce, part of that process will involve dividing the assets from the marriage and making two households out of one. ‘Dividing up cash, savings and the family home are relatively straightforward,’ says Amanda...
A law firm in the heart of Cambridge has changed its name, following a merger. CB4Law, which is on Milton Road has merged with Family Law Group, a law firm specialising in family law with offices across the Midlands and Home Counties. Family Law Group is...
Throughout the country many family lawyers will be readying themselves for one of the busiest times of the year following disastrous summer holidays. It is estimated that more than 40 per cent of marriages end in divorce, and it is following the summer...
The law often unearths worthy tales of note for all to learn from. Some are just stories where people shake their heads, and move on without a thought, but others have deeper lessons for all of us. One such recent tale hit the national newspapers and...
What is your position and what do you do on a day-to-day basis? I am a solicitor advocate. I work in collaboration with solicitors in the office to prepare cases for clients for presentation to the court. I do the court advocacy, advise the client on...
What is your position at Family Law Group and what do you do on a day-to-day basis? As a Solicitor at specialist family law firm Family Law Group ( www.familylawgroup.co.uk ), I provide legal advice on all aspects of family law. This extends to...
Families now come in all shapes and sizes, and children may live with parents who are cohabiting, married, separated or divorced. They may be part of a step-family, live with adoptive parents, grandparents, other relatives or a special guardian. If you have...
Taking your child abroad is an exciting time and one where you will hopefully make memories of a life time. Before going outside of the UK, there are always lots of things that you must think about first. Unfortunately it is not as simple as just packing a...
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....
When it comes to qualify of life studies, the Scandinavians always seem to be head of the league tables, with some of the bigger so-called developed countries lagging well behind. The reason that the Swedish, Danes and Norwegians are always at the forefront...
Family Law Group believe that a recent change in divorce law, will have a profound effect on families not just in the region, but across the country. Amanda Brown of Family Law Group welcomed a government announcement this week that will...
During any separation or divorce, one of the primary concerns will be the impact on any children. It is unavoidable that change will occur in everybody’s lives, and there may be the time when you decide that a relocation is appropriate. ...
Access to credit is now easier than ever and this has led to a culture of, ‘putting it on the plastic,' being seen as very much the norm in today’s society. Average household debt is around £8,000 per person in the UK, and this figure...
You may feel overwhelmed with the changes you are facing as you go through a divorce, and quite often going from a household with two incomes to one can be a struggle. If you do not own a house or have other assets, it can be tempting to cut costs and...
Talk: The Science of Conversation by Elizabeth Stokoe A Book Review written by Michael Cork, Mediator I purchased this book to read and review after I attended a training event provided by the author. Elizabeth was the sole presenter on a day that had been...
Today National Family Mediation Week draws to a close. Here at Family Law Group we have a team of mediators offering mediation services across our offices, along with solicitors who can guide and advise you on the mediation process. But what exactly is...
A shocking tale of a woman who killed her husband with a hammer over eight years ago has resurfaced recently as her family support her bid to be released from prison. The case of Sally Challen is well worth broadcasting to the general public as its...
If you are separated or divorced, you will probably have an arrangement with your ex-partner dealing with where your children live and how often they see their other parent. However, a specific issue might arise not covered by this agreement and on which you...
The festive season is over and sadly, with it, are many marriages as the New Year always sees solicitors kept busy with new divorce cases. It is not the most festive tale with which to start 2019, but it’s a message that needs to be told to those who...
Milton Keynes Family Law has recently been involved in a case where a Local Authority placed two children with two separate adoptive families. The unusual feature of the case was that the children involved were twins and at the conclusion of the care...
Splitting: Protecting Yourself while Divorcing Someone with Borderline or Narcissistic Personality Disorder; by Bill Eddy and Randi Kreger. I ordered this book when I saw that one of my mediation clients was reading it in the waiting room ahead of his MIAM....
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...
If you own, or have an interest in, a business and are thinking about getting divorced or dissolving your civil partnership, you need to think carefully about the impact this may have on your livelihood. Depending on how your affairs are organised,...
Whilst a person can be deprived of their liberty at any age and in any place, there are certain rules and regulations in place when children or young persons are being deprived of their liberty. There have been two recent cases which set out the law and...
Family Law Group is strengthening its team, with three young lawyers awarded new positions in the business. Nottingham Family Law are toasting Kerry Avis, who recently qualified as a solicitor, alongside her colleagues Aimee Booth and Will Matheson, who...
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...
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...