New divorce processing centres introduced across the UK Over 100 divorce processing services in local family courts will be closed this year and replaced with regional divorce processing centres before the end of this year. All divorce petitions from London and the South East will be sent to a regional centre in Bury St Edmunds…
Civil Partners can convert to Same Sex Marriage from today Good news for those in existing civil partnerships as from today (10th December 2014) they can convert their partnership to a same sex marriage if they so wish. Civil Partners in Scotland have a few more days to wait but will be able to convert…
Enhanced laws aim to cut forced marriages Forced marriage is continuing in Britain – despite the move in June to criminalise the practice. The continued prevalence has prompted the government’s Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) to go on a road show (which is in Avon and Somerset today) to try and curb the practice Nearly two-thirds…
Divorce effect on finances is ‘catastrophic’ Divorce and separation is financially catastrophic to families and the wider economy, according to a survey. The survey, which was carried out by Resolution, found that 28% fell into debt because of a relationship break up, and 16% admitted to asking a friend or family for financial help. It…
Senior Judge calls for lawmakers to reform cost of divorce finances The time for just saying “something must be done” about high costs in ancillary relief cases has gone. It is time to “actually do something,” according to a senior judge. Sir Nicholas Mostyn said the 2010 Jackson reforms to cut the cost of civil…
Lesbian couple marry in controversial Russian ceremony Russia has seen its first LGBT wedding – despite laws which are widely viewed outside Russia as hostile to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. St Petersburg couple, Irina Shumilova and Alyona Fursova exploited a legal loop hole to get married – they were able to do…
What can I do if I need financial support before my divorce is complete? Many people are wary of starting divorce proceedings because they know that any order the court makes for much-needed financial support won’t be effective until the decree absolute is granted at the end of the process. However, there are measures in…
Government’s proposed increase to the divorce court fee scrapped The government has scrapped plans to increase divorce court fees in a move welcomed by solicitors. The proposed new fee was a whopping £750 (almost double compared to the current divorce court fee of £410), the aim being to make a dent in the £150 million deficit…
Judge speaks out in favour of equality between marriage and cohabitation One of England’s most high profile family law judges has spoken out in favour of a change to the legal rights and obligations that accompany marriage. Sir Nicholas Mostyn, a High Court judge and former QC, suggested in a speech given to a family…
Process for converting civil partnerships to same sex marriages announced by government Same sex marriages have been legal in England and Wales for the past six months. The date at which couples in civil partnerships can choose to convert their union into a marriage is fast approaching, with the first conversions taking place on 10th…