Making the decision to end a relationship can be life changing.

Civil partnerships were introduced by the Civil Partnership Act 2004 to enable same-sex couples to have their relationships legally recognised.

Depending on your circumstances, you may feel that mediation would be an effective forum for you and your spouse to discuss key issues, such as how to split the finances on divorce.

We are delighted to announce that Gemma Irving has become a Partner with effect from 1st January 2017.

We have previously written on the topic of “no-fault” divorce, and this has been something which has been the focus of media attention this week as a result of Resolution’s annual Good Divorce Week.

The myth of the common law marriage remains as widespread as ever.

Laura Smail and Alexandra Gray acted in the recent reported Court of Appeal Case – Re. R [2016] EWCA Civ 1016.

Child maintenance arrangements currently made through the Child Support Agency (CSA) will be ending between now and 2017, to be replaced by the newly established Child Maintenance Service (CMS).

There are an increasing number of divorcing couples, and those wanting to reach agreements about the care arrangements for their children, who are considering Arbitration as an alternative to the court process.

The recent Court of Appeal case of Ely v Robson highlights the ‘dangers’ of not formalising an oral agreement into a legally binding document on relationship breakdown.

Following the recent referendum, the British public voted by a small majority to leave the European Union.

Earlier this month, former supermodel and Pirelli calendar girl, Christina Estrada, was awarded a £53 million settlement following a high court divorce battle with her ex-husband, Dr Walid Juffali.

In a recent decision the Court of Appeal has found that a parent who video records handovers can be guilty of intimidation.

In a recent case Trott v Trott & Another [2016] EWFC B35, a husband and his new wife were sentenced to prison as a result of breaching court orders made in relation to the husband’s financial remedy proceedings.

Cases involving parental alienation and implacable hostility or intractable contact disputes – call it what you will – are some of the most difficult to deal with and, sadly, they appear to be more prevalent than ever.

The Court of Appeal recently stopped a Welsh mother from naming her twin girl “Cyanide” due to the emotional harm the child could suffer as a result. 

Surprising figures were published recently by the National Family Mediation that show far less people are attending MIAM’s Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) than expected.

Whilst it may not have been the astronomical 55% increase originally proposed by the Coalition Government in 2013, the rise of 34% in divorce fees is undoubtedly one of the greatest scandals of the year in the world of family law.

The law in relation to cohabitation has been under review for some time.

As the law currently stands heterosexual couples are banned from entering into civil partnerships.