From our social media:

Still staying home

Work from home guidance to remain in place until 21 June at the earliest.

Entire school board resigns after accidental public livestream

Another reminder about being careful with remote communications.

No pay rises for judges this year

"Buckland told the review body that he will not be issuing a remit letter for an annual review of judicial pay for the 2021/22 year as the government will not be able to implement the recommendations."

Have you seen this new app from amicable?

It's to help you manage all aspects of co-parenting in one secure place, making parenting after divorce and separation simpler.

Railways and Women’s Aid help hundreds of abuse victims escape

Some help from the railways for victims of abuse. Since April last year 747 adults and 273 children — have used the Rail to Refuge scheme.

From our social media:

Are you free 3rd Feb at 6pm?

There's a Zoom interview with Baroness Hale, that explores the highlights of her career to date and her thoughts on the future.

Financial remedy in divorce cases just got easier

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, many providers and advisers moved quickly to implement digital signatures and get the administration side of the advice process online.

Brexit changes for family law

If you have a child maintenance decision, which you want to have recognised and enforced in an EU country from 1 January 2021, contact your nearest Maintenance Enforcement Business Centre as soon as possible.

More details about the changes can be found here.

Most women who commit family violence turn to verbal abuse, report finds

Interesting article on an Australian study, has found women’s violence is underpinned by different motivations and dynamics to those of violent men. And therefore leading to the need for different 'behavioural change programs'.

Mary-Kate Olsen and ex-husband Olivier Sarkozy finalising divorce

The changes that have happened over the last year. Finalising via 'Zoom'.

From our social media:

The oligarch's divorce saga rumbles on

Tatiana Akhmedova’s son accused of foul play in £453m divorce.

Millions of parents say they’d cancel Christmas if they could

A sad statistic to read, as we move into December.

Our latest article on our website gives some ideas on how separated parents can organise Christmas, rather than perhaps cancel it.

So, what is Good Divorce Week?

Resolution’s annual campaign which aims to promote the constructive ways their members can help separating couples. This year the emphasis is on the Resolution "Code of Practice".

Splitting up by also splitting the costs

More and more couples are keen to share the cost of separation by instructing one solicitor.

From our social media:

I discovered my wife plans on divorce – and accuses me of abuse

Lockdown has had a great affect on many relationships. Finding the best way forward for both parties is crucial. A mediator can really help.

Perspex and Portakabin: HMCTS announces ‘ambitious’ safety drive

Plastic screens are to be installed in 250 courts and retiring rooms by the end of October, while Portakabin buildings are to be set up for deliberating juries, according to a government announcement.

Outdated weddings laws of England and Wales face overhaul

Great to see these changes being considered.

With more choices for locations for weddings will make things easier for couples.

Don't forget the pre-nup!

Coronavirus: What do Covid rules mean for half-term holidays?

Divorced or separated, & you want to take your kids abroad for half term, you’ll need permission from everyone with parental responsibilities. For a UK staycation in an area with local restrictions, check the rules on where & with whom you can stay.

1 in 4 behaviour divorces caused by alcohol abuse during lockdown

Another outcome of lockdown

Meghan Markle was ‘empowered by divorce’ after she made abrupt break-up decision

Can divorce be empowering? A friend at the time of Megan’s divorce in 2013, actress Abby Wathen has been quoted as saying:

“She was empowered. She took her power back. It wasn’t the right relationship for her, so she moved on.”

If you feel it’s time to move on, call us for an initial consultation to discuss your situation in complete confidence.

'Divorce boom' forecast as lockdown sees advice queries rise

Cause and effect in action.

Jamie Redknapp gives rare insight into co-parenting

Talking on a new podcast, Jamie Redknapp has given a rare insight into co-parenting sons

Coercive control: 'I was 16 and thought it was normal'

Really helpful article to understand coercive control.

Even though the article focuses on a young girl this can be relevant to any gender, age or class.

From our social media:

'Not just about the professionals': Buckland defends extended court hours

We are not expecting anyone to work extremely long, whole days in court. It’s court buildings hours that we want to extend.

30 Signs someone has suffered financial abuse

Arguing about money is the most likely reason for a couple to divorce, which just shows how huge of an issue it can be. However, not all arguments are equal, and it may be that one partner is the abuser, and the other is the abused.

This article lists some of the warning signs

Depp libel trial reveals problems of proof in domestic violence cases

As this Guardian article states: "If four weeks of courtroom investigations – aided by first-class lawyers examining CCTV recordings, text messages, photos and numerous witnesses – still struggle to establish the precise truth of what happened, then how hard must it be for family courts processing thousands of domestic violence allegations every year?"

Women urged to claim 'millions' in underpaid pensions

"The women are being urged to check their state pension as under the old system married women could claim a basic state pension at 60 per cent of the full rate based on their husband's contributions, where this would be bigger than the pension they would get based on their own contributions."

This applies to divorced women too, particularly those who divorced post-retirement, to check that they are benefiting from the contributions of their ex husband.

BBC Panorama

Victoria Derbyshire reports on what lockdown has meant for those living with Domestic Violence.
Thirty-five years on, she returns to look at how those living with domestic violence have been impacted by lockdown.

Training needs in a post-lockdown landscape

Interesting post from Resolution - First for Family Law about training and professional development, crucial for all of us.

TikTok, Netflix’s ‘365 Days’ and the memeification of violent sex by generation Z

Really worrying what younger people are now exposed to and a good article.

Government finds £3.1m to support litigants in person

Not-for-profit organisations will be given funding to provide free legal support to those without legal representation in court.

Lawyers' exemption from coronavirus quarantine should be scrapped as it 'risks lives', Law Society warns

“Allowing people to break quarantine to attend court and not having effective systems in place to communicate outbreaks in the court puts lives at risk”. Law Society President Simon Davis talks to the Evening Standard about #quarantine exemptions

Kent musician composes charity song 'You're Not Alone' to support male domestic abuse victims through charity ManKind

Great to see the top man @LeverClive being featured in the news about his song "You're Not Alone" raising awareness of male victims of domestic abuse and also funds for our helpline.

Life’s too short to end a relationship

"Ending a relationship gets particularly complex when there are other people involved, too, like children, or mutual friends"

MoJ headquarters begins new role as Nightingale court

The Ministry of Justice’s London headquarters has begun functioning as a Nightingale court hearing cases that are not usually open to the public.

From our social media:

News focus: Family courts - a bumpy road ahead

Remote it is. In December, McFarlane said family lawyers were ‘running flat out up a down escalator’ due to the growing backlog of cases. Covid-19 has made that backlog worse but public law cases must still be completed within the 26-week statutory deadline.

Seven Reasons People Stay in a Marriage That Doesn't Work

It is possible to make a clear decision to divorce. If you feel stuck remind yourself that you always have a choice. If you do choose to leave your relationship be sure that you have made a well-thought-through decision.

Couple who spent £600,000 squabbling for two years over their divorce are left with just £5,000 each after legal costs

Settling fairly, with thought and sometimes compromise will mean your assets don't disappear.

Supporting Hampshire County Council’s plan for Children and young people living with domestic abuse

If someone in your family is hurting someone else, it’s important to get help.
Call Hampshire Domestic Abuse Service Advice Line 𝟬𝟯𝟯𝟬𝟬 𝟭𝟲𝟱 𝟭𝟭𝟮
or Childline on 𝟬𝟴𝟬𝟬 𝟭𝟭𝟭𝟭.
It’s confidential and they will know how to help. Remember it’s not your fault and you won’t get into trouble for telling someone
Stop Domestic Abuse , Hampshire Constabulary

Super-rich divorcing couple are fighting over a £10,000,000 fleet of ships

Divorce settlements wealthy style.

McFarlane: normal family court business unlikely before spring 2021

It's going to be a long road back to fully operational.

Coronavirus lockdown divorce spike could boost property sales by £9.3bn

Another result of lockdown

Social distancing causes delays at regional divorce centre

20 weeks delay!

Lawyers' poems deal with trials of delivering lockdown justice

Love this one!

It’s all very well to do Zoom
but it’s better to be in the room.
One misses the ‘tells’
the ticks and the smells
there’s a danger injustice will loom!

Remote hearings for family courts 'horribly cruel'

There really is no 'one size fits all' to court hearings. In family cases which involve dispute resolution of complex often emotionally-charged issues court provision delivered by video or phone is never going to be an adequate substitute for face-to-face contact.

Divorce rates will climb as lockdown lifts, lawyers say

Divorce rate rising in Belgium due in most part to lockdown.

Ant McPartlin is reunited with his beloved dog Hurley during lockdown

Ant sharing custody of his dog!

Parents fight in court over whether children should return to school in England

It's difficult for parents to know what is right" so it's leading to parents fighting in court over whether children should return to school in England

Bill backed to improve children’s role in family legal system

The Children (Scotland) Bill passed its first stage unanimously in Holyrood. It proposes to give the views of children more weight in family disputes

Survivors of domestic abuse told to give evidence in person at Commons

Video links for evidence to be ended this week! Why?

Family barrister becomes one of the UK’s first hijab-wearing judges

Diversity in action in court.

From our social media:

Family life during the lockdown

It can be stressful for many trying balance work, childcare and self-care while dealing with worries.
NHS East Berkshire have a great resource of reliable and free sources of information and advice to help you and your family to cope under lockdown.

Coronavirus: Children attacking parents in ‘new form of domestic abuse’ during UK lockdown

Sad that frustration may be leading to this type of abuse.

The most common questions about divorce being asked amid coronavirus

Remember to take advice from a specialist family lawyer as early as possible and preferably before any discussion of divorce with your spouse.

11 celebrities reveal their partners' most annoying habits in lockdown – and they're totally relatable

Some light-hearted realities of lockdown.

Mortgages and coronavirus: sorting the facts from the fiction

This article from @sjpwealth looks at the most frequently asked questions on mortgages and in the impact of Covid-19

6 celebrity splits and divorces in lockdown

The Lockdown effect for some.

Kindness Matters guide

Research has shown that by helping others, you will also be helping yourself. According to the Mental health Foundation:

“People who are kind and compassionate see clear benefits to their wellbeing and happiness. They may even live longer. Kindness can also help reduce stress and improve our emotional wellbeing.”

Check out their guide to being kind

Why 40% of men won't talk about their own mental health

According to a survey done by The Priory, 40% of men won’t talk about their own mental health. The good news is that the same survey showed that 66% would share their feelings with their partner above anyone else.

So, if you think your male partner is struggling, talk to him. Use our helpline sheet to find the kind of professional support he may need. GP’s are open for business and ready to help anyone struggling with their mental health. Before the pandemic, the biggest cause of pressure men felt under was work-related. As the UK starts return to work, that pressure will return, whether through returning to work, concern over a job post-furlough, or trying to restore a business.

Children’s mental health

Concerned about the effect of lockdown on your child’s mental health? Action for Children have developed the M-A-S-K list of signs of metal health issues in children - Mood, Actions, Social, Keep Talking.

Another celebrity couple is going through a messy quarantine divorce

The difficulties of Quarantine/Lockdown and divorce for celebrities.

With the family courts closed, mediation may be the only option

Mediation in Paris. Delphine Eskenazi explains how the Paris Bar is deploying mediators to resolve parental access disputes during Covid-19

The final straw! Divorce lawyers reveal the bizarre reasons clients have given for ending a marriage

These outrageous divorce stories prove that sometimes it's the little things that drive people to the brink.

From our social media:

How to co-parent as allies, not adversaries

A great TED Talk on co-parenting.

Blackstone barristers team up with education charity to create ‘Women in Law’ children’s book

This book celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act, which received Royal Assent on December 23 1919, and removed the barriers for women to enter the legal profession.

Weathering the emotional storms of a crisis

Some ideas to help cope in this uncharted territory of Covid-19. Emotional health during the Coronavirus Crisis: How to cope with anxiety and manage stress at work.

Interactive heatmap: which courts are open

Law Society president Simon Davis said: Courts must be able to reopen once this crisis abates. We must be wary to avoid any risk of significant and permanent damage to the public’s ability to access justice.

Signing a will during the pandemic

Some common questions & answers on writing wills during the pandemic, from the FT.

Police guidance on reasonable reasons to be away from your home during lockdown

A ‘cooling off’ period may be helpful if you need to remove yourself from a volatile situation at home.

Bruce Willis and Demi Moore self-isolate together with their children 20 years after divorce

Amicable divorce means that you can self isolate with your ex of 20 years.

A free information book explaining the coronavirus to children

This is an excellent book for young children with some illustrations from a very well known illustrator !

Judge rules on Adele's £140 million divorce settlement

Adele keeps her privacy for divorce settlement

Your place or mine? Coronavirus forces couples to choose

An interesting effect of the Coronavirus status. Fast-tracking relationships.

Coronavirus lockdown has sparked a 'horrifying global surge in domestic violence'

While the figures for domestic violence across the world rise, there are places to turn for help.

New bill to close gap in domestic abuse law introduced

Northern Ireland's new bill: The Domestic Abuse and Family Proceedings Bill creates a new offence which covers controlling and coercive behaviour against a partner, former partner or family member.

From our social media:

Domestic abuse victims missing vital health checks due to partners intercepting post

Oh this is so sad! Four in 10 survivors had experienced the terror of having their new address revealed to an abusive former partner: this is predominantly done by local authorities or a child’s school.

Blackstone barristers team up with education charity to create ‘Women in Law’ children’s book

This book celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act, which received Royal Assent on December 23 1919, and removed the barriers for women to enter the legal profession.

Wife awarded £400k for sacrificing her solicitor career

Woman who says she sacrificed prospects of becoming law firm partner to start family with solicitor-husband awarded £400,000 by family court:

Domestic abuse: Lie-detector tests planned for offenders

Those deemed at high risk of re-offending will be given regular polygraph tests to find out if they have breached release conditions.

Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed abducted daughters and threatened wife - UK court

The High Court publishes a Fact Finding Judgement (FFJ) in favour of Princess Haya. Sheikh Mohammed insisted that the case was “a private matter”.

Family leave reform aims to improve the wellbeing of families and to increase gender equality

Finland grants equal pay parental leave.

"Back in January Finland’s prime minister, Sanna Marin said too few fathers were taking time off to spend with their new children, and that reform was needed."

Divorce bill must not overlook pensions

The Law Society calls for long-awaited legislation reforming divorce to be amended to ensure ex-spouses are not left financially vulnerable as result of pension orders: