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    Pathfinder pilot continues to put children first in the family court

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    Thousands more children will be supported with the latest expansion of the Pathfinder pilot, and a £12.5m funding boost to encourage information sharing between services in children matters.
    The Pathfinder pilot originally launched in March 2022 in a limited number of family courts in Dorset and North Wales, before expanding to Birmingham and South-East Wales in 2024. In its latest expansion, all family courts in Wales will now take on the pilot, and West Yorkshire has become a new trial area.
    The pilot scheme has worked to improve the communication between the police and local authorities/social services, and the family courts, to reduce the adversarial nature of children matters. The court can direct disclosure from agencies, and that means by the time parties actually see the judge for the first time, there is a lot more information in front of them which will enable a judge to practically move a case in the right direction that they see fit.
    Crucially, domestic abuse authorities have been given powers to share important information with the family courts, meaning victim-survivors do not have to tell their story multiple times to various different authorities.
    The aim of Pathfinder has been to centralise children’s voices in the family court process.

    The major changes have been that the court does not immediately list a court hearing in standard children matters. Instead, they require Cafcass to speak to both parents and carry out detailed investigations and welfare checks before the case goes in front of a judge. The child/children speak to a Cafcass officer where appropriate, and are able to express their wishes and feelings.
    Read more about the Pathfinder pilot.
    New figures released have highlighted the success of Pathfinder so far, with around 11 weeks being saved in total to reach a conclusion in children matters, and a 50% reduction in case backlog in Dorset and North Wales.

    What does this mean for parents going through the system?

    Less adversarial process of making child arrangements
    Improved support for victims of domestic abuse
    Increased communication between services to reduce the pressure on parents
    Focus on the needs and wellbeing of child/children
    Quicker resolution of matters

    Stowe guide: Proceedings for child arrangements in courts running the Pathfinder pilot.
    Partner Ashley Le-Core says of the funding boost and expansion:
    “Recent news of a £12.5m funding boost coming to the family court system has highlighted the success of the Pathfinder pilot. Whilst it has not reached all areas of the country yet, the latest expansion has brough the pilot to West Yorkshire, and to all Welsh courts in addition to the initial areas. Many family lawyers will not yet be used to the change, but I am hopeful that this funding will enable a full national rollout in due course, providing the scheme sees continued success in both new and old areas.
    Where I have been privy to the Pathfinder process, I have experienced a more streamlined case that is primarily focused on getting the best outcome for all concerned.
    It has also been successful in getting other agencies involved at an early stage in children matters, including social services, and the police if necessary. This has helped to progress cases more efficiently and effectively, as the relevant information is gathered prior to any court hearings. This is a practical solution, and a step in the right direction.
    Unfortunately, one of the biggest issues faced by family lawyers currently is delays within the court system. The system is still catching up on the backlog caused by the pandemic. However, in the pilot areas, the new process in children matters has saved around 11 weeks, which is significant, particularly where children are involved.
    Whilst clients may not physically see a judge at the beginning of cases, there is a practical and logical reason for this. The process of information gathered enables judges to proactively move the case forward before they ask the parties to physically attend court. Clients should be reassured that urgent matters are still being listed before a judge for immediate determination, but where this is not necessary, the Pathfinder system is a safe and productive way of managing cases.
    Extra funding for this process, and indeed the mediation voucher scheme, to again reduce the adversarial nature of family law cases, can only be positive, and I am completely on board with these changes in the family justice system.”
    Useful Links
    How to support children through divorce
    Stowe guide: How to get a child arrangements order

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      Family Law in 2024

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      As we come to the end of another year, our lawyers reflect on some of the changes (or lack of!) in family law in 2024, and the impact on people going through family law issues.
      Julian Hawkhead, Senior Partner
      Can it really be a year since I last wrote an introduction to the Stowe Family Law end of year blog? In many respects, time has flown by so quickly, but sadly, as my colleagues discuss in the following articles, where the need for reform in key areas of family law is concerned, progress is not as fast.
      Firstly a few words about Stowe Family Law. It has been quite a year for the firm as we continue increase our capability to support more people as they require family law services increasing the number of specialist lawyers across more locations nationwide. Throughout 2024 we opened more offices taking our total number of locations to 94 and we now have 205 specialist family lawyers. We also said goodbye to Livingbridge as our former partners with whom we have achieved so much over the last 7 years and we welcomed our new partners Investcorp to support us through the next exciting chapter. We have some really exciting plans so watch this space!
      With a new Labour Government in place, now is the time to prioritise a legal system that is there to protect the vulnerable and is readily accessible to those in need. It is an essential foundation for a stable and safe society.
      In other areas of the family law world, we have seen an increased impetus to keep couples out of the court system and encourage them to adopt alternative routes to reaching a resolution whether that is mediation or other forms of dispute resolution. The rules that have been introduced feel more stick (through costs sanctions) than carrot but there is no doubt that a resolution reached consensually is longer lasting and less damaging to all parties.
      The need for rights for couples living together without a legal marriage or civil partnership continues to be an area of focus for family law professionals, although there seems to be diminishing hope that the Government will prioritise reform here. A clear legal framework is necessary to define what happens when cohabiting relationships end is much needed.
      I hope you enjoy reading these short articles written by my colleagues and may I take this opportunity to wish you a very happy Christmas season and a healthy and prosperous 2025.
      Tamara Adams on development in fertility law
      This year has not seen as much progress in fertility law as we, as family law professionals, would have hoped. However, some steps have been taken with the amendment to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. Previously female same-sex couples had to undergo screening for infectious diseases such as hepatitis B, C and rubella which could cost up to £1000 and was prohibitive for many. As of November this year, the screening requirements for same-sex couples are on par with those for heterosexual couples as these requirements have been relaxed. In addition, same-sex couples where one or both partners have an undetectable viral load for HIV will be allowed to pursue IVF treatment.
      The ONS reported that women had an average of 1.44 children between 2022-23, the lowest recorded birth rates. Several reasons have been touted for this drop, including the impact of Covid-19, and social changes with women delaying having children to pursue a career. In this context, there is a need for change in fertility laws to make various methods of alternative journeys to parenthood more accessible and the legal process frictionless.
      Unfortunately, we are still awaiting key changes in surrogacy laws which many family law professionals hope to see. The complexities of legal parenthood being assigned to the birth mother, rather than the intended parents, followed by a lengthy process of transferring parenthood, is complicated, costly and stressful, and can be a deterrent. Recently, Baroness Meron met with the Law Commission to discuss the recommendations made in the Commission’s report which was released in March 2023. It is hoped that the Government will release a response soon, putting surrogacy on the agenda.
      I hope to see more change in 2025, particularly in surrogacy, to protect intended parents and make their journey to parenthood a joyful one.

      Ciara Pugh on the need for cohabitation rights
      Taking the media by storm this year was the fall in marriage rates, as reported by ONS, with rates falling to 49.4%, the first time they have dropped below 50%. Although same-sex marriages increased, and there were an estimated 167,000 people in same-sex marriages in 2022, overall marriage seems to be being replaced by couples choosing to live together as cohabitees.
      The fall in marriage rates reflects a changing society, and the need for the law to maintain pace with shifting priorities and family structures. There are a variety of reasons that could be attributed to the decline. For example, these ONS figures are from 2022, where the impact of the Covid pandemic was still being felt on the wedding industry. Nevertheless, the way we view marriage and relationships is constantly changing, and couples are either delaying or rejecting marriage entirely.
      What this does mean is more people are choosing to live together as cohabitees rather than getting married. Although cohabitation is the fastest growing family type in the UK, as it stands there is little to no financial protection for cohabitees should the couple break up or one party die without leaving a Will. This is the case regardless of length of time living together, or if the couple shares children (though there are some financial claims that can be brought for the benefit of children).
      Family lawyers have been campaigning for cohabitation reform for years. In October 2023, a glimmer of hope appeared in the form of Labour MP Emily Thornberry’s promise to make cohabitation a priority should the Labour Party take hold of Government. Disappointingly, such a reform has failed to land on the Government’s agenda as yet, leaving many individuals vulnerable should their relationship end.
      However, the fall in marriage rates has renewed calls for cohabitation reform. I hope that in the not-too-distant future, there will be financial protection for cohabitees. This could be in the form of an opt-in or opt-out system where couples choose whether they wish to have rights. These are unlikely to be the same as those afforded to married couples, but financial protection is needed to protect vulnerable individuals. Our new Labour Government is confronted with an exciting opportunity to finally reform this highly problematic area of family law and let’s hope we see some change!

      Rachael Lodge on the drive to avoid court
      The Family Justice System has been working hard over the past few years to reduce acrimony in divorce and family proceedings, and to ensure families going through relationship breakdowns have the best chance at setting themselves up for a more positive future. This is all within the context of a struggling court system which is underfunded and over-stretched.
      As such, one of the most significant changes in 2024 was an update to the Family Procedure Rules. These are a set of rules followed by courts nationwide which govern practice and standardise court procedures. In April of this year, the rules were updated to place a greater focus on reaching amicable agreements, using non-court dispute resolutions (NCDR) such as mediation, collaborative family law and arbitration.
      The main changes are a wider definition of what NCDR means, broadening the scope beyond just mediation, and including methods such as arbitration, collaborative divorce and private financial dispute resolution hearings.
      Divorcing couples will now need to actively engage in NCDR, or provide a valid reason why this is not possible by laying out their views in open correspondence. Parties now have to express why NCDR is inappropriate in their case using the new FM5 form (for example, due to safeguarding concerns), where before this was simply a tick box exercise. The exemptions for not taking part in NCDR are more limited, and failure to engage may result in cost sanctions. We have already seen this acted on by Judges in several cases in the latter half of the year.
      Although courts could previously adjourn proceedings where Judges felt NCDR would be appropriate, they can now do this without the agreement of the parties.

      The hope is that moving forward, parties family law issues will be able to find constructive ways to resolve differences instead of using the courts. This will not only give the family courts more breathing room but will mean families can build a better post-separation future. The Ministry of Justice is undertaking a wider push to support families by ensuring they are aware of all the options available to them and supported throughout.
      Emily Davies on the Pathfinder Pilot
      The Pathfinder Pilot was initially introduced in March 2022, launched in a small number of family courts, to trial improved information sharing between services like local authorities with the courts. The pilot was a response to a review into the Family Justice System that highlighted how the adversarial nature of family courts and the system itself worsened conflict and further traumatised domestic abuse victims and children. Almost three years later, now is a great opportunity to reflect on the change and development in the pilot itself, and the impact it has had on families.
      The pilot model requires detailed investigations to be conducted by Cafcass – the independent body advising family courts what is safe for, and in the best interests of, the children. Cafcass will prepare a Child Impact report, where they have an opportunity to hear from the child/children before the first hearing to better understand their worries, wishes and feelings, and to evaluate the potential impact of the ongoing family law proceedings, on the child/children involved. Cafcass also investigates any welfare issues, allegations of domestic abuse, and identifies whether non-court dispute resolution would be appropriate. The pilot aims to ensure that children of separating parents are listened to throughout the process, and are given more opportunities to express themselves, as well as improve the experience of survivors of domestic abuse.
      Furthermore, the Pathfinder scheme is working to minimise the trauma domestic abuse victims (and their children) experience going through the justice system when separating from their abusive partner. The improved information sharing through the holistic multi-agency approach and early onset information gathering, means victims do not have to be re-traumatised by telling their story multiple times.
      February 2024 saw the end of the initial phase of the pilot, and it was then rolled out to two further locations, Birmingham, and South-East Wales, ahead of a planned national rollout. Although the national rollout has yet to be confirmed, the progress made by the initial phases of the pilot have been positive. The change in process is being carefully monitored by legal professionals, as well as policymakers and Cafcass.
      At present, it is apparent that a national rollout is not yet on the cards. However, I hope a review into the pilot will be produced in 2025, looking ahead to a nationwide implementation as the family justice system moves towards less adversarial, non-court-based approaches.
      Read more about the Pathfinder Pilot.
       Jake Mitchell on AI and Family Law
      Technology is evolving, and in 2024 we have felt its impact in the legal world. Some of the fastest moving tech is the use of Artificial Intelligent (AI) and its usage in family law.
      AI is not robots, but computer simulation. In law, language models like ChatGPT have an enormous amount of data, phrases and sentences plugged in to predict “what comes next?” in a sentence, forming complex answers. AI can answer questions, but you should take care it is not always accurate. You may have noticed Google’s new AI Overview, which takes a question you’ve searched, and pulls information from various top performing sites to give you a quick answer without needing to click on a particular website. This is helpful to an extent but should not be taken as ‘gospel’ as if the source AI takes from is wrong, so is the answer.
      In family law, AI can be used to make our processes more efficient, saving the lawyer time and saving client money. AI can answer questions outside of office hours, check your documentation for spelling/grammar errors, summarise documents and even take a first-draft note of meetings. It can summarise long documents and organise your thoughts and papers. AI can also help with legal research, but beware, in the US there have been instances of AI entirely inventing cases.
      This is likely only the beginning of some more impressive changes. However, as the technology grows we need to be ever more mindful of the pitfalls. Errors are common, answers not always correct, and oversight of activity is very important. AI won’t replace everything your lawyer can do, and family law involves supporting people going through deeply personal, emotional issues, where empathy and understanding is required. AI cannot replace this, but it can be part of the team.
      Sarah Scriven on Domestic Abuse Protection Notice Pilot
      On 27th November 2024, domestic abuse protection notices (DAPN) and domestic abuse protection orders (DAPO) were introduced by way of a pilot scheme, expected to last one year. It is hoped that these measures will provide better protection to victims of domestic abuse.
      The pilot is taking place in certain areas: London boroughs of Croydon, Sutton and Bromley and Greater Manchester. The perpetrator must live in one of these areas.  The British Transport Police are also able to apply for DAPOs.
      A Domestic Abuse Protection Notice (DAPN) is issued by police to a perpetrator to provide immediate protection for victims of all forms of domestic abuse, even where there is not enough evidence for a criminal charge. The perpetrator and victim must be personally connected. The police must consider that there are reasonable grounds to believe that a person has been abusive to the other person. The DAPN contains specific instructions to the perpetrator, for example not to attend the victim’s home. If the instructions aren’t followed, the perpetrator could be arrested. If the police issue a DAPN, they will also apply for a DAPO.
      A DAPO can also be made by the court to protect victims from all forms of domestic abuse. This order may be made by the court during ongoing criminal family or civil proceedings.  Applications may be made by the police, a victim or by someone not directly involved known as a third party, for example a friend, family member or social workers. Breaching a DAPO is a criminal offence.
      Prior to the pilot, the police could issue domestic violence protection orders, but these only last for 48 hours. A victim could make an application to the family court for a non-molestation and/or occupation order and in the criminal court, a restraining order could be made.
      The introduction of the DAPN and DAPO give victims, but also organisations such as the police and social workers and third parties such as a friend and family an avenue to use to seek protection and it will no longer be down to the victim to make the relevant application themselves.
      A DAPO has no maximum duration, and the court will consider how long it needs to last to protect the victim. A non-molestation will usually last for between 6 to 12 months but can last longer in exceptional circumstances.
      If the pilot is successful, DAPNs and DAPOs are expected to replace domestic violence protection orders. It is hoped they will give police a tool that is more effective and provides longer term protection to victims.
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      Final Word
      I hope you have found this wide array of topics interesting and should you want to find out more about any of the topics we have covered here or any other family law issues please do not hesitate to get in touch.
      With best wishes for the festive season,
      Julian Hawkhead More

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      New report calls for fairer outcomes for victims of domestic abuse in financial remedy proceedings

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      Resolution has recently released a new report offering insight into the interplay of domestic abuse and financial settlements in divorce, making recommendations for better protection for victim-survivors.
      Resolution is an organisation made up of family justice professionals who work with families and individuals to resolve disputes and issues around familial breakdown in a constructive way.
      The report calls for a cultural shift in the family justice system to better meet the needs of victim-survivors of domestic abuse, particularly when they are seeking financial resolutions upon divorce. The organisation conducted a survey of 500 family justice professionals, where 80% of respondents felt domestic abuse as not sufficiently considered by the court when deciding financial outcomes in divorce.
      Resolution have made a number of recommendations to help improve the experience of domestic-abuse victim survivors going through financial proceedings and reduce the long-term financial and emotional impact of divorce.
      There has also been discussion around the amount of ongoing abuse that occurs from the point a couple separates until the Court makes orders, particularly where perpetrators use the system to abuse their ex-partner further, economically, and emotionally.
      Judit Kerese, an Associate at Stowe Family Law, responds to the recommendations made by Resolution.
      The report has been a long-overdue insight into a system that currently is failing victim-survivors of domestic abuse. It is clear that family law professionals are aware of the desperate need for change. The recommendations, therefore, are welcome.
      It is all too common for perpetrators of domestic abuse to be in a position where they can assert financial control over their victim and continue to behave in a way that will either lead to victims not pursuing what they are entitled to upon separation, or simply having to be subjected to ongoing bad behaviour.
      One of the most significant recommendations is to amend the overriding objective of Part 1 of the Family Procedure Rules 2010 to mean that dealing with a case ‘justly’ means to ‘ensure the parties are safeguarded from domestic abuse’. Many victims of domestic abuse suffer from financial abuse in the short term, and often return to their abuser due to fear of financial stability. Ensuring parties are protected throughout proceedings will hopefully minimise cases of this.
      Further, the recommendation of amendments to the Financial Remedies Court Efficiency Statements to include specific reference to the need to ensure that financial proceedings are not used by perpetrators to facilitate domestic abuse, is a welcome change. There should be robust measures in place to prevent such behaviour, and ensure, as with changes to the overriding objective that victim-survivors are safeguarded.
      However, there is still a way to go, and some recommendations need more attention. For example, increasing legal aid rates to help legal aid providers be sufficiently funded to act for victim-survivors. Although legal aid funding is limited, this could add additional pressure to domestic abuse victims, many of whom are not able to meet the payments already required. This may result in victims feeling trapped with their abuser due to financial worries.
      The Government’s response remains to be seen. With a recent change in Government, and focuses shifting, it may be a while before we see real change in this area, despite the urgent need and renewed calls. I hope there will be implementation of Resolution’s recommendations before long, to offer proper justice to domestic abuse survivors.
      If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call the police on 999 or phone the Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247
      Please note that Stowe Family Law cannot offer Legal Aid.

      Useful Links
      Economic abuse in financial remedy proceedings
      Read the full Resolution report

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      What is in store for family law in 2024?

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      2024 has the potential to see the conclusion of a number of UK government legislation amendments and consultations. Each carefully considered change will have a far-reaching impact on family law and those dealing with the personal impact of family law matters. So, as we begin the new year, we look at important changes on the horizon and suggest what may be in store for family law in 2024.
      Financial Remedies Court reporting pilot
      The spotlight on ‘transparency in the Family Court’ continues in 2024. Following on from last year’s introduction of measures to increase understanding and scrutiny of the system, a new pilot scheme is set to start on January 29th.
      The Financial Remedies Court (FRC) reporting pilot will allow accredited journalists and bloggers to report on financial remedies proceedings. These include financial issues arising from divorce and civil partnership dissolution, and child support cases.
      The FRC pilot will initially cover three trial courts: the Central Family Court, Birmingham, and Leeds. Notably, certain hearings, like Financial Dispute Resolution, will maintain confidentiality, preserving the privacy of those involved.
      Proposed amendment to Victims and Prisoners Bill affecting parental responsibility
      In January 2024 the Ministry of Justice’s proposed amendment to the Victims and Prisoners Bill moves to the next stage. The proposal announced in 2022 seeks to automatically remove parental responsibility for parents convicted of the murder or voluntary manslaughter of their co-parent.
      The legislation change emerged after the death of Jade Ward, whose partner and father of her child murdered her in 2021. He was found guilty and sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in jail. Since then, Jade’s family have lobbied for a change in the law to automatically remove parental responsibility so that convicted offenders can no longer seek information about their children or make key decisions about their lives.
      The Ministry of Justice have confirmed that there will be exemptions in cases involving domestic abuse.
      Possible outline of future financial remedies reform
      In 2023 the Law Commission of England and Wales launched a comprehensive review of financial remedy orders. The review examines how finances are divided among couples post-divorce or civil partnership dissolution, currently governed by the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 and Civil Partnership Act 2004.
      The aim of the review is to evaluate the effectiveness of current laws and ensure fairness for divorcing couples. Among other factors, the review set out to analyse discretionary powers of judges, explore wider powers for orders involving children over the age of eighteen, assess pension-related orders, review the mechanics and structure of post-divorce financial payments.
      The findings, anticipated in a scoping report in September 2024, may pave the way for significant reforms in future financial remedies legislation.
      Family court fees to rise
      Last month the UK Government completed a consultation which looks to increase court fees by up to 10% in 2024.
      The Ministry for Justice wants to increase revenue generated by the courts to ensure that they remain ‘sufficiently resourced’ to protect access to the courts for all those who seek justice.
      Users of His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS), including the family court, contribute to the cost of the justice process by paying fees. Court fees generated £727 million of the total £2.3 billion cost to run HMCTS in 2022/23, with the remainder funded by the taxpayer.
      By increasing court fees by 10% the UK government is expected to generate up to £42 million per year. The key objectives of the price increase are to keep pace with increased costs, improve service delivery, subsidise the cost of free services, and reduce the overall cost to the taxpayer.
      Key 2024 family court fee increases include:

      Application for a divorce, or civil partnership dissolution – fees will rise from £593 to £652
      Application for a parental order – fees will rise from £232 to £255
      Application/permission to apply for adoption – fees will rise from £183 to £201
      Application for a financial order (other than consent order) – fees will rise from £275 to £303.

      Resolving family matters out of court
      In 2024 we’ll see a continuing emphasis on encouraging parties to seek resolution of their disputes outside of the court system. Last year the UK government carried out a consultation ‘Supporting earlier resolution of private family law arrangements’ to review mediation in family law.
      As a result, in 2024 we could see mandatory mediation for all suitable low-level family court cases (excluding those which include allegations or a history of domestic violence). The aim is to divert family disputes away from stretched courts and protect children from the impact of acrimonious and long-running court cases.
      It’s hoped the proposals will mean more people can make decisions and achieve resolutions with the support of a qualified mediator, rather than placing the decision with the family court.
      General election
      While the date of the next UK general election is still to be announced, it’s widely anticipated that the current Conservative government will call for an election in 2024.
      The latest voting intention polls suggest that Labour may win the next election, meaning a change in government. Whilst no parties have yet released their election manifestos, and the exact nature of any proposed changes to family law is yet unknown, we can expect to see some impact. More

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      2023 In Review – Reflections on the Year in Family Law

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      2023: A Year in Review
      Julian Hawkhead, Managing Partner, Reflects on the Year
      It has become something of a tradition for me to write a note as we draw towards the end of the year to reflect on what has happened over the past 12 months. Doesn’t the time fly by? This year I’m delighted to be joined by a few colleagues around the firm who have put down some thoughts on what has stood out for them over the course of 2023.
      At Stowe, it has been quite a year again! I’m trying to find some clever way of linking “Stowe” and “grow” together but have failed but yet again we have continued to cement our place as the most dominant family law practice in the country. We saw our colleague numbers increase to over 360 with a total of 178 lawyers serving 88 locations around the country. Yes, that’s right, we have 88 office locations, adding 22 new locations including those from Watson Thomas and Crisp & Co. this year. It has been an absolute pleasure to get to know our new colleagues from those two firms, to learn about their ways of working and what they have done to make themselves successful to continue improve our own Stowe Way of Working.
      Our client numbers also increased by 25% and by early December we had over 4,000 progressing matters underway as we continue to strive to support more and more people.
      Joanna Newton on The Rise of the Legal Age of Marriage
      In February this year, the legal age of marriage rose to 18. This has meant that 16- and 17-year-olds who were previously allowed to marry with parental consent are no longer allowed to marry or enter a civil partnership in England and Wales.
      As of 27th February, it is now a criminal offence to arrange a marriage for under 18-year-olds under any circumstances. The offence is now punishable by 7 years in prison.
      The idea behind this new law is to better protect children from being forced into underage marriages and protect them from abuse and coercion. The change is to crack down on forced marriages which can cause lasting psychological, and sometimes physical, damage on a child. It is also part of the government’s continuing commitment to tackling violence against women and girls.
      Prior to the Marriage and Civil Partnerships (Minimum Age) Act 2023, the law had been unchanged since 1949 and had legitimised child marriage with children aged 16 and 17 permitted to marry with their parents’ consent.
      The mechanism of parental consent which existed under that law, whilst meant to be a safeguard, has, in some cases, proved to be a vehicle for parental abuse.
      This change is a welcome relief and over the coming years we will hopefully see it having a considerable impact reducing the number of forced marriages and violence against girls in particular.
      Gemma Davison on Changes to Fertility Legislation
      Earlier this year, the government announced that there would be a change to fertility law which aims to reduce the discrimination that female same-sex couples face when they are looking to conceive via reciprocal IVF (where one woman provides her egg and the other carries the child). It will also encompass a change for same-sex couples where one or both partners have HIV but the viral load is undetectable.
      Female same-sex couples will no longer be required to have an additional screening for infectious diseases (including rubella, hepatitis B and C) which will remove this extra barrier not faced by heterosexual couples and reduce costs by up to £1000.
      For same-sex couples with undetectable HIV viral loads, the change in legislation will mean that the couple will have access to IVF treatment, including known sperm or egg cell donation to friends or relatives.
      These changes will hopefully work to reduce the inequality that exists between same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples regarding fertility options and treatment. However, there is still a way to go.
      In August 2022 as part of the Women’s Health Strategy, the government committed to removing all financial barriers for same-sex couples that are not faced by heterosexual couples. We are still awaiting this change. I hope to see more progress in reducing discrimination in the fertility space and more support of this method of parenthood in 2024.
      Megan Brookfield on ‘Love bombing’ being Recognised as a Sign of Abuse by CPS
      In April this year, the Crown Prosecution Service updated their guidance on controlling and coercive behaviour to include the term ‘love bombing’. The guidance now advises prosecutors on the range of tactics perpetrators of abuse can use against their victim and discusses love bombing and what this entails. Love bombing is a phrase used to describe a scenario whereby the abuser will periodically carry out over-the-top loving acts in between other behaviour to confuse and control their victim. It is most commonly seen in the early stages of a relationship.
      The update is a positive step. It has highlighted the diverse ways in which perpetrators can exact control of their victim. Furthermore, it provides a degree of clarity on the role of love bombing and how it is a coercive tactic. It also gives family lawyers a legal framework with which to support clients and indeed when obtaining protective orders from the family court.
      There are still numerous challenges to face when proving coercive control. The updates in legal framework have certainly improved this, but it is clear that more work needs to be done to help and support survivors and their families, particularly for those seeking to leave their abusive relationship.
      Ashley Le Core on Child Arrangements in International Divorces
      Most of us will have seen something about the divorce of Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner earlier this year. Their divorce raised some very interesting points in the family law space, including which jurisdiction should accept the divorce proceedings and associated financial remedy proceedings. This is particularly important to consider, as different jurisdictions will provide two differing ways of handling assets, which could favour one party over the other.
      However, most of the media drama of the divorce has been specifically about child arrangements, raising the issue of who gets the kids in international divorces, as Turner is British and Jonas is American. From media reports, it appeared that they had planned to settle their two young daughters in England. Initial divorce proceedings, however, saw some issues on this front, including accusations of child abduction.
      Unlike many divorces, these parents are of course very wealthy and therefore the reality is that wherever the determination is made that the children shall primarily reside, the other parent should be more than able to purchase an appropriate property in that country and therefore, the impact on the children will be drastically reduced. This is of course not available to every party in such cases.
      No absolute certain details are known about the long-term arrangements in relation to this divorce at this stage, but in the interim, the girls will travel between the UK and the US. In international divorces generally, it is unlikely the court would expect children to be travelling between countries on a regular basis, especially if they are of school age. In these cases, the primary focus has to be their schooling.  The onus would therefore be on one of the parents to do more of the travelling and to have a base in the relevant jurisdiction. The children then spend more quality time with their parents over longer periods such as school holidays.
      The Jonas/Turner divorce has been an interesting study in the various complex aspects involved in international and multi-jurisdictional divorces and has particularly drawn attention to what happens to children in such circumstances.
      A Final Sign Off
      There is little I can add to what has been said so eloquently above and a huge thanks to them for taking the time to share their thoughts. Family law is always evolving whether that is to reflect the changing values of our society, to adapt to the political or economic climate or to anticipate what factors such as new (and what can seem scary) technology. As a leadership team we are constantly surveying the horizon to see what might be coming up, whether that is a possible change of government or some new AI innovation. Whatever happens I do believe that 2024 will be great and exciting year.
      Wishing you and your families a safe, restful and joyous festive season.
      Julian, and all at Stowe Family Law. More

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      in Children

      Introducing Stowe talks podcast series 4

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      Stowe talks podcast
      Series 4 of Stowe talks podcast and videos series has begun. 
      As ever, in each episode hosts Liza and Matt are joined by a special guest to explore a specific topic in detail.
      Alongside our expert guests, in Stowe talks series 4 we explore:

      Parenting alongside a narcissist
      The dangers of DIY divorce
      How to prepare for your financial settlement
      Supporting teenagers through divorce
      Prenups, postnups and petnups
      The unique challenges of a relationship break down in the LGBTQIA+ community
      Creating financial wellbeing following separation
      Supporting male victims of domestic abuse
      Building your family through surrogacy.

      The latest episodes
      Series 4 of Stowe talks begins with ‘Parenting alongside a narcissist’, a 2-part conversation with renowned narcissist expert Dr Supriya McKenna.
      Building on our previous episodes, in part one Dr Supriya starts by explaining what narcissistic personality disorder is and how this manifests in their behaviour, especially during divorce and parenting.
      We then continue the conversation in part two, looking at learning to manage the narcissist behaviour, how to best support your children, dealing with legal and financial abuse, the family court, and learning how to raise the threshold of what triggers you.
      Quick links
      Listen to Stowe talks on spotify
      Watch Stow talks on YouTube More

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      in Children

      September Stowe Support roundup

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      Stowe Support is a dedicated home for Stowe’s free resources designed to help inform and support anyone with family law concerns.
      With new blogs, guides, podcasts, videos and events shared each month, here’s a handy Stowe Support roundup from the past month in case you missed anything.
      Here’s your monthly roundup of Stowe Support resources in case you missed anything.
      Latest blogs:
      Separating after the summer holidays
      My ex and I can’t agree on our child’s school
      Dealing with Post-Separation Abuse
      Divorce talks – Tips for respectful discussions with your ex
      What happens to the children if me and my ex want to live in two different countries?
      Book your free webinar place
      Stowe talks – Creating financial wellbeing following separation
      How to build a happy blended family with Nichole Farrow
      Watch recent webinars
      Finding the unexpected joy of heartbreak with Rosie Wilby
      Listen to Stowe talks podcasts on Spotify:
      Our next series of Stowe talks podcast will be launched soon.
      In the mean time, you can click to catch up on previous episodes and follow us!
      Stowe Support
      To explore our full range of resources dedicated to helping people with family law matters, visit Stowe Support.
      Here you’ll find a wealth of helpful guides, videos and blogs on divorce and separation, finances, children, domestic abuse, cohabitation, alternative parenting, mediation, as well as support with relationships and wellness. More

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      in Children

      August Stowe Support roundup

      by

      Stowe Support is a dedicated home for Stowe’s free resources designed to help inform and support anyone with family law concerns.
      With new blogs, guides, podcasts, videos and events shared each month, here’s a handy Stowe Support roundup from the past month in case you missed anything.
      Here’s your monthly roundup of Stowe Support resources in case you missed anything.
      Latest blogs:
      Economic abuse in financial remedy proceedings
      Tips for healing after divorce
      Britney, divorce and renegotiating prenups
      How to successfully co-parent
      Why is September a popular month for divorce?
      Book your free webinar place
      Stowe talks – Finding the unexpected joy of heartbreak with Rosie Wilby
      Stowe talks – Creating financial wellbeing following separation with Jodie Phelps
      Listen to Stowe talks podcasts on Spotify:
      Our next series of Stowe talks podcast will be launched soon.
      But you can click to catch up on previous episodes and follow us!
      Stowe Support
      To explore our full range of resources dedicated to helping people with family law matters, visit Stowe Support.
      Here you’ll find a wealth of helpful guides, videos and blogs on divorce and separation, finances, children, domestic abuse, cohabitation, alternative parenting, mediation, as well as support with relationships and wellness. More

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      in Children

      Why is September a popular month for divorce?

      by

      The impact of the summer holidays 
      September is usually a busy month for family lawyers, as it is a popular month for divorce. There tends to be an increase in divorce enquiries, particularly in comparison to August, which is quieter as families enjoy the long summer holidays.
      In fact, the summer break is sometimes seen as a reason for the rise in divorce enquiries in September. Families commonly spend more time together, and this can expose cracks in the relationship that may not otherwise have come to the surface.
      A similar phenomenon happens every January, termed by the media as ‘Divorce Day’. Divorce Day is the first working Monday of the year and has historically been the busiest day of the year for divorce enquiries, as the impact of a stressful Christmas and New Year takes its toll on relationships.
      For struggling couples, the summer holidays can bring deep-rooted issues out into the open. More time spent together, the need to provide entertainment for children, the financial demands of a holiday, and the pressure of having to be seen to have fun and be a happy family, can push relationships to the limit. 
      One of the key issues we as family lawyers see in September is how money worries surface after increased spending over the holidays. 
      Mortgage rates and economic uncertainty 
      Financial issues often play a significant role in relationship breakdown. They have been cited as the cause for a relationship breakdown in record numbers at Stowe over the past 18 months.
      Money can be a sensitive topic for even the strongest of couples. For those already struggling in their relationship, it can prove to be the final straw.
      Increasing mortgage rates are having a considerable impact on couples in the UK, potentially leading to consideration of divorce.
      Some couples are starting to see old deals (some as low as 2%) expire and new five-year fixed rates reach 6%, potentially more in coming months.
      Here at Stowe, we conducted a survey of 600 people across the UK on how mortgage rates are affecting families and relationships.
      The survey revealed that 82% of respondents have been or will be financially impacted by the inflation of mortgage rates.
      Almost a quarter (23%) responded they can no longer afford to pay their mortgage. Over half of the respondents said they were experiencing friction within their marriage or relationship because of this issue. 
      Over the cost-of-living crisis, divorce enquiries have risen to record highs, with financial issues regularly cited as a primary reason. 
      The economic climate, coupled with the pressure of the summer holidays, could prove too much for more couples, leading to them looking into divorce in September. 
      Financial problems and domestic abuse
      However, even accounting for the ongoing economic uncertainty and the rise in mortgage rates, the rise in September for divorce enquiries may not be as significant as has been seen in previous years.
      Recently, there has been a rise in the number of people who are unable to leave their marriage or relationship due to financial problems. 
      This is all the more concerning for people who are trapped in abusive relationships who are unable to leave their partner because they cannot support themselves financially on their own. 
      Victims of domestic abuse have been hit hard by the cost-of-living crisis. This is because financial hardship is connected to increasing physical, emotional and financial abuse. 
      Furthermore, inflation, and now mortgage rises, may mean more people cannot afford to divorce or separate from their partner, particularly if the abuser is using money as a means to control their partner.
      Will September 2023 be a popular month for divorce?
      For couples wanting to start the divorce process, money will certainly play a role in the decision. However, it will be interesting to see whether the economic environment will swing matters towards the usual September increase in enquiries or whether there will be a drop in couples wanting to start divorce proceedings.
      For those who choose to end their relationship, getting the right support and legal advice is crucial. Anyone suffering abuse who finds themselves in  immediate danger, please call the police. For advice on domestic abuse please call the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
      Useful links
      Mortgage after divorce
      How much does divorce cost?
      Effects of divorce on children
      Economic abuse
      Holidays with children after divorce
      Legal help for domestic abuse victims More