Tag Archives: Family Law

Family Mediation

Posted on 22/06/2022 by freestyle

The government have announced an extra 5.4 million pounds in funding to assist families to resolve their disputes away from court.  Under the scheme £500 family mediation vouchers are provided to divorcing couples with the aim of helping them resolve their legal issues regarding the children, with the hope that it will free up space in the family courts. The announcement on 3 June 2022 more than doubles the investment into the initiative since its launch in March last year.  The mediation scheme has been a success with around two thirds of cases reaching full or partial agreements away from court.  The scheme is administered by the Family Mediation Council. At Scott Bailey LLP, both Ann Herd and Sarah Unsworth are registered to provide mediation under the scheme.  We are here to provide a family mediation service in which we can … Continue reading →

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Depp vs Heard – a toxic relationship

Posted on 07/06/2022 by freestyle

The defamation trial which was won the most by Johnny Depp last week was an extraordinary piece of theatre.  The latest news is that Amber Heard says that there are no circumstances in which she can pay the 8.35 million dollars in damages.  Whilst the case centred around defamation given the very public figures that were involved it presented a much more sinister and sad portrayal of their marriage. As matrimonial lawyers acting in a divorce or separation, we tend to focus on one side of the story. No one will ever really know what went on between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard in the confines of their own home other than them, but what was interesting was the toxicity of the relationship that pushed them both to have  court hearings both in the UK and in America, which played … Continue reading →

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Bank holiday blues?

Posted on 02/06/2022 by freestyle

Everyone will be out celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this weekend with street parties and family gatherings. For those though who are struggling in their marriage or relationship it can feel like a time of pressure and anxiety.  A sense that you are not living up to the “perfect relationship”.  Do speak to our family team if you are unsure as to how the future might look for you should you separate. Hampshire solicitors Sarah Unsworth, Ann Herd and Olivia Le Masurier are here to give clear family law advice during difficult times. Contact Sarah Unsworth, Ann Herd or Olivia Dyer on 01590 676933 to arrange a fixed fee initial consultation. 

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Cost of living crisis – family pressure!

Posted on 02/06/2022 by freestyle

The lasting effects of this cost-of-living crisis will not be clear for a couple of years.  Significant debt, incomes not keeping up with inflation and rising prices of fuel and household expenses are very bad news for relationships. People are feeling the real pressure of income tax increases and current energy prices. Even filling up the car at the petrol station is for many, prohibitively expensive. The latest Bank of England forecast predicts inflation peaking at the rate of 10.2% at the end of 2022. The war in Ukraine has put extra stress on global supply chains and all of this impacts at grass roots level. The cost of living going up affects people’s daily lives so much; love lives are damaged, social spending is reduced and people are scaling back what they are spending on their weddings just to … Continue reading →

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Silver separators: marriage and divorce second time around

Posted on 13/05/2022 by freestyle

Marriage rates for people aged 65 and over are steadily on the increase and have been since 2009.  Statistics show that men tend to marry younger women and almost all of the brides and grooms aged 65 and over were divorcees, widows or widowers with only a small number getting married for the first time. This is likely to be because people are living longer and are more connected, both economically and socially, than they used to be.  People are more likely to be working beyond 65 and can support themselves outside of marriage.  They are becoming more adept at using social media in line with the younger generation. People marrying for the second time around in later life will want to protect their assets.  They may still wish to leave their assets to their children and ring-fence property, savings, … Continue reading →

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No-fault divorce: a few weeks in

Posted on 04/05/2022 by freestyle

So here we are, only a short time after the launch of the new no-fault divorce system online.  The gov.uk website has apparently experienced a surge in case numbers and that is likely to be because the system was not available entirely for a week prior to the new launch and people will have sensibly waited to proceed on the basis of not blaming each other for a divorce. The new divorce system is simple and administrative.  However,  research by The Marriage Foundation shows that divorce rates in the first 15 years of marriage have been falling across Europe and the UK is leading the way with a 27% reduction in divorce numbers between 1992 and 2017.  Does this mean though that marriages are lasting and lasting longer?  This is not necessarily the case; many people are just living together, … Continue reading →

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No-fault divorce on the horizon – big changes coming

Posted on 21/09/2021 by freestyle

Big changes are on the horizon in family law. The way that marriage breakdown is to be dealt with is to undergo fundamental reshaping as no-fault divorce will finally be on the statute books. It has been half a century since the last major change to the system so reform was arguably well overdue. Presently in order to satisfy the court that grounds exist for a divorce, a petitioner has to rely on one of five facts: adultery, behaviour, 2 years’ separation with consent, 5 years’ separation or desertion.  Those who don’t want to wait 2 years or more for a divorce, must opt for adultery or behaviour, meaning they have no alternative but to start the process with blame – clearly not conducive to maintaining an amicable break-up.   Many people mistakenly believe that the party at “fault” will be … Continue reading →

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“Megxit” and mediation

Posted on 03/02/2020 by freestyle

You may feel that quite enough has been said about the current travails of the Royal family.  None of us are ever likely to know the real truth behind the recent developments but we can all feel sympathy for the position the Queen is facing. When any family relationship breaks down, the ripples are likely to be felt by the extended family. Their Royal status cannot protect them from the hurt and fallout of this situation. This may not be a divorce in the conventional sense but clearly Harry and Meghan are looking for at least a separation if not a divorce from “the Firm” as it is often called. Let’s not forget Archie. Having a loving extended family is important for all children – however blue-blooded. One would hope that there will be some cool heads at any meeting. … Continue reading →

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What do librarians and farmers have in common?

Posted on 13/07/2019 by freestyle

The answer from a recent study undertaken in Denmark is that if you want your relationship to endure, choose a librarian or a farmer. People in these occupations were found to be the best bet when it comes to staying together. On the other hand, the research showed that chefs and others in the hospitality industry were the worst offenders when it came to relationship breakdown. The researchers did not attempt to explain the findings but we can all speculate as to why this might be. What there is no need to speculate about is the need for good legal advice when a relationship breaks down. Whatever the occupation of the spouses, divorce rates for the over 50’s have doubled since 1990.  The figures for the UK show that in 2018, 42% of all marriages ended in divorce. That is … Continue reading →

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Fact or fiction – how much do you know?

Posted on 20/06/2019 by freestyle

There are a vast number of myths and misconceptions surrounding the law which applies to relationships.  Can you tell fact from fiction?  How well did you score? If you want help sorting out fact from fiction should your relationship breakdown, then ask an expert in family law. At Scott Bailey, we have a dedicated team of specialist solicitors to help you. Contact Sarah Unsworth or Ann Herd at [email protected] or call 01590 676933 so that you can separate fact from fiction.

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