Latest News
The Government publishes its Response to the Family Justice Review
06.02.12 | The Government has published a report which outlines its response to the Family Justice Review and sets out how its recommendations will be taken forward.
In response to the Government's report, the Bar Council and the Family Law Bar Association have urged the Government to take a considered and practical approach to reforming family law and not to rush to legislate.
SJ and Another v JJ and Another [2011] EWHC 3450 (Fam)
23.01.12 | Proceedings relating to a child (A) retained in Poland by his mother. Father applied under Brussels II Revised seeking orders (a) making A a ward of court; (b) requiring that A be returned to this jurisdiction; and (c) in the alternative seeking contact. Held that the English court retained jurisdiction. Interim contact order made.
Breaking news
22.12.11 | Michael Glaser, representing His Royal Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, has successfully argued that an Islamic ceremony is not capable of recognition as an English Marriage in a case which has significant cultural as well as legal importance.
The Legal Aid Bill: What is the future for Family Justice?
19.09.11 | A national meeting called by the Bar Council and the Family Law Bar Association (FLBA) took place on Saturday 17th September 2011.
The meeting, attended by the Attorney General, the Rt. Hon. Dominic Grieve QC MP took place in London and was linked by video conference to venues around the country. It focused on the Government's proposals, contained within the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill, to cut large areas of family law from the scope of legal aid.
Speakers at the meeting included Stephen Cobb QC, Chairman of the FLBA, Peter Lodder QC, Chairman of the Bar Council and Nichola Higgins, Chair of the Young Barristers Committee of the Bar Council.
New Court of Appeal decision regarding applications for leave to remove: K (Children) [2011] EWCA Civ 793
11.07.11 | Application by father for permission to appeal against order granting mother leave to remove children to Canada in circumstances where the parents shared the care of the children. Permission to appeal granted and appeal allowed. The court confirmed that in the circumstances of the case the approach in Payne v Payne was not appropriate.
W (Children) [2011] EWCA Civ 345
18.04.11 | Successful appeal by mother against refusal of permission to relocate out of the jurisdiction.
The President of the Family Division, Sir Nicholas Wall, made clear his view that undue prominence had been accorded to his own words in the case of Re D [2010] EWCA Civ 50, in which he had appeared to support criticism of Payne v Payne [2001] EWCA Civ 166. He resiled from this and confirmed that Payne v Payne should continue to be followed.
