If you missed what we’ve been sharing this month, here’s a round up of our blogs and some of the news posts on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

From our blog:

No more child marriages: minimum age raised to 18 in England and Wales

Parliament have just raised the minimum age for marriage from 16 to 18 in England and Wales, and made it an offence to "facilitate" an underage marriage. Rita explores the issues this new Act addresses, and what other significant legal changes happen when we turn 18. 

Mediation: ways to avoid the stress and lengthy wait for a court hearing

Want to try a less stressful way to reach an agreement than going to court? We discuss court delays, private mediation and the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme in our latest article. We also examine how mediation can help you reach agreement with less stress, shorter time scales, and potentially improve outcomes.

Lights, camera, action and social media frenzy: the Depp Heard defamation trial

In our new article, Managing Director Rita Gupta looks at the outcome of the Depp Heard defamation trial in the USA. She assesses the potential impact on the perception and stereotyping of domestic abuse victims here in the UK. 

As Rita says: “Abuse does not discriminate according to gender, age and even celebrity profile.”

Still out there: Holiday child arrangements and COVID-19

If you're planning a holiday abroad this year with your children, as a divorced or separated parent with shared parental responsibility, you will require your ex-partner's permission. 

If your plans change due to covid-19 or similar, then you'll need to revise any child arrangement agreement, which gives their permission. 

Here's how a formal letter from a family lawyer can make the whole process of agreeing who gets the kids when during the holidays a whole lot easier.  

Who’ll get the Warhols?

The high-society divorces behind New York’s mega-expensive art sales

Women in the law exhibition launched in London

Exhibition of trailblazing women in the law launched at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

How the courts tackle devious disposing of assets in divorce

This can be a simple act of spite or, in many cases, a disposal of the assets with a plan afoot for the ‘gifts’ to be returned to the giver after the ink is dry on the court order.

Couples, beware! The Split and other TV shows not to watch with your partner

Worth a read - just to be safe? It covers Sky, Netflix and iPlayer shows.

Rising use of cryptocurrency risks unfair divorce settlements

The anonymity and security associated with cryptocurrency means it is more easily hidden than traditional investments, whilst its inherent volatility can jeopardise financial agreements between splitting couples.

New Family Court guidance issued following landmark case involving Thanet mum

Sir Andrew McFarlane has now issued the new guidance which specifically references the Thanet mum’s case and others heard at the review.

The guidance is for judges and magistrates and outlines how procedure and issues within the court should be dealt with, including how to examine allegations of coercive and controlling behaviour.

Why hiding assets during divorce could cost you more than just money

If you do try and hide assets "you risk ‘doing a Boris Becker’ and landing yourself in serious trouble if you do.

Non-fatal strangulation offenders to face up to five years in prison as part of Domestic Abuse Act

Positive moves for victims.

Brad Pitt says Angelina Jolie 'sought to inflict harm' with vineyard sale

Another high profile law suit between exes.

Domestic Abuse Act 2021 introduces new non-fatal strangulation offence

This came into force on 7th June.

The offence will apply to any person who intentionally strangles or suffocates another person, affecting their victim’s ability to breathe in an attempt to control or intimidate them, including in cases of domestic abuse.

Aristocrat’s estranged wife wins latest round of seven-year court fight

The three appeal judges have decided that Mr Justice Mostyn had been wrong to dismiss an application Mrs Villiers made for maintenance.

Untangling the concept of parental alienation

Children who suffer alienation in their childhood can sometimes find it very difficult to make lasting relationships when they are older. In extreme cases of parental alienation, the emotional impact on the child by one parent has been seen as so severe that the court has been known to order a complete transfer of residence for the child from one parent to the other.