Subterms
The case M v F: For reasons that will soon become apparent I shall start this post with a very brief outline of the procedure on an application for a child arrangements order. FHDRA Once the application has been made the court will fix a first hearing, known as a ‘First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment’, […] More
We are currently navigating unprecedented times as the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues in the UK. This public health crisis has raised worries and concerns by many separated parents as to the impact the current lockdown will have on child arrangements. COVID-19 lockdown The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation on Monday (23 March […] More
The case Re T (Parental Alienation) raises the fraught issue of parental alienation again. The case Re T (Parental Alienation) is a topical case. Only this week I have written here about discussions regarding the fraught issue of ‘parental alienation’, including how the court should deal with it, and even whether it exists at all. […] More
Co-parenting during the Coronavirus outbreak: As more and more people are encouraged to observe social distancing, self-isolation and the imminent school closures in the UK, our family lawyers are being asked how to best manage co-parenting during the coronavirus outbreak. Solicitor, Ben Castle from the Stowe Family Law office in Reading said commonly asked questions […] More
The case FF v BM: Sometimes a case simply goes wrong. The court just doesn’t get it right. And sometimes the court seems to get nothing right. Sometimes other things go wrong as well. Such a case was FF v BM, an appeal by a father against an order allowing him only indirect contact with […] More
Re E (Judgment and Sentence): A salutary lesson This sad case, Re E (Judgment and Sentence) is a salutary lesson, not just upon the importance of obeying court orders, but also as to why you should cooperate with the court, no matter what you may feel about the court’s decisions. It is a lesson that […] More
Z (A Child: committal proceeding): Now here’s an interesting little case. And slightly worrying, too. Hair drug testing I do recall from when I was practising that it was not at all uncommon in proceedings regarding arrangements for children that one parent would raise concerns that the other parent was taking (illegal) drugs. Of course, […] More
The case JD & Another v VB & Others: “In the battle between the parents, both children risk being run over by the tanks”. So begins the mammoth judgment of His Honour Judge Dancey in the recent children case JD & Another v VB & Others, the latest judgment following nearly 7 years of almost […] More
