As family law solicitors and mediators, we often support clients who are experiencing coercive and/or controlling behaviour – sometimes without realising it at first. Coercive control is a pattern of behaviour designed to isolate, intimidate and restrict a person’s independence. Author Dr Jane Monckton-Smith describes it as a way of trapping someone in a relationship. Read our blog on proving coercive control in the family court. Recognising the signs of coercive control Ask yourself: If several of these feel familiar, it may be time to seek confidential support or legal advice. Contact our family law team Legal remedies for coercive control If you are experiencing coercive control, legal protection is available to you. You can contact the police at any time – coercive control is a criminal offence in England and Wales. We also recommend consulting a family law solicitor … Continue reading →

Separation or divorce is difficult for any family, but one of the most pressing concerns for many fathers is what happens to their relationship with their children. Will you get to see them? Do you have any say in their upbringing? In this blog, our Mediator and Family Law Solicitor, Sarah French, answers some of the most commonly asked questions around fathers’ custody rights in the UK. She explains the legal position of fathers, how custody is decided, and what steps you can take if you’re struggling to agree on arrangements. What are a father’s custody rights in the UK? The law in England and Wales does not give automatic preference to either parent. Instead, the focus is firmly on the welfare of the child. Most fathers now share parental responsibility – a legal term which means having equal rights … Continue reading →