It seems that there are almost as many suggestions as to what makes a happy marriage as there are marriages. Flick through any lifestyle magazine or newspaper supplement and you’ll find commentators espousing the merits of everything from date nights, regular counselling sessions and even a good row (https://www.itv.com/lorraine/articles/what-is-the-secret-to-a-happy-marriage). Such recommendations are often very subjective: […]
Read more
Being a family lawyer means working in a profession in which you’re helping individuals deal with some of the most intensely personal episodes of their entire lives. That can be enabling couples to prepare for marriage, perhaps starting newly single lives after the end of lengthy relationships or even helping separate parents determine what’s best […]
Read more
Every so often, cases come before the family courts which command news coverage due to the size of the sums involved or the renown of the participants. In the last week, one such matter was determined by the Court of Appeal (https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2021/702.html). It has decided to allow Natalia Potanina to proceed with her claim for […]
Read more
It’s entirely possible that anyone reading reports of some of the divorces which feature in our national newspapers might conclude that the entire process is highly dramatic. The reality is that most marriages are brought to a legal conclusion in a relatively straightforward fashion. Although sometimes distressing for those involved, there is little of the […]
Read more
For most of us, family life is something rather private. Away from work and even friends, spending time at home represents a form of sanctuary. However, there are individuals who have established enormous profile and great wealth from displaying even relatively intimate family moments to a watching audience. Although the trend arguably started with a […]
Read more
Of all the differences in the make-up of British households over the course of the last generation, one of the most significant has been the continued rise in cohabitation. Earlier this month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published figures showing how the number of heterosexual cohabitating couples in England and Wales had more than […]
Read more
It is a myth that family lawyers like myself derive some pleasure from dealing with divorce. The idea that we might revel in often lengthy marriages falling apart is utterly incorrect. I would suggest that the reality is, in fact, the opposite. Given how stressful divorce can be, those who make it as simple as […]
Read more
Last week has marked the first anniversary of the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, placing the UK into a state of lockdown in an effort to control the spreading coronavirus pandemic. There have, of course, been enormous economic consequences since on a national, business and also a personal level. Financial support from Westminster may have softened […]
Read more
Proponents of the restrictions imposed by governments around the world over the last year maintain that they have been necessary part of efforts to control the spread of coronavirus. Regardless of their effectiveness, there is now little doubt that prolonged controls on businesses and households has taken its toll both on the economy and on […]
Read more
The breakdown of any relationship – no matter how long or short – can be a very emotional experience. Confronted with the prospect of losing a partner or spouse, it can be difficult to keep calm and in control. In previous generations, any failure to do so – any critical remark made about one’s spouse […]
Read more