by JennyGetting around remote family court hearings
The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that the family courts have had to rapidly adapt to ensure the safety of both their staff and the public, while keeping the wheels of justice turning. In practice, this means that many court hearings are being conducted remotely, whether that be by telephone or via video calling.In April, the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory conducted a rapid...
by JennyTreating surrogacy as a relationship
When you finally find a surrogate who wants to carry a baby for you, it can feel both exciting and overwhelming. Building a relationship with your surrogate that will last during the pregnancy, the birth and beyond, is an important part of the process.What type of surrogacy do you intend to undertake?There are two types of surrogacy: gestational and traditional.In traditional...
by JennyOur guide to pre-nuptial agreements
COVID-19 may have put the wedding or ceremonial plans of many couples on hold, but it does not necessarily mean that you cannot discuss the fine detail together in this time. Pre-nuptial agreements are increasingly common considerations for many soon-to-be wed couples. So, while your wedding or civil partnership ceremony may be postponed for now, the important discussions surrounding...
by JennyCovid-19 and tackling child abuse
With many of us spending more time at home than ever before, sadly, it comes as no surprise that in April, the NSPCC reported a 20% increase in the number of child abuse calls it had received since lockdown. But what is the true extent of child abuse in England and Wales? And will the coronavirus epidemic result in a spike in the number of children experiencing abuse?At the beginning of...
by JennyListening to your children can improve your relationship
For families dealing with cases of domestic violence, divorce and separation, it is not surprising to find that children can sometimes be left in the middle. Perhaps more so than ever, with the enforced lockdown children are more likely to be exposed to and affected by unfamiliar or unsettling situations. It is important for children in these situations to be able to feel that they can...
by JennyCourts only handling emergency cases, is divorce an emergency?
Covid-19 has changed how we live almost every aspect of our lives. From the way we shop to how we “meet up” with our family and friends, we’re all having to get used to the “new normal”. The legal sector has also had to make big changes to the way it operates, in order to keep both staff and the public safe.Are divorce family proceedings still going ahead?If you’re getting a divorce...
by JennyPeak wedding season approaching and revisiting a Prenup
With the lure of long, sunny days and warm evenings perfect for dancing under the stars, it’s no wonder that summer is the most popular time of year to tie the knot. Of course, if you’re planning a wedding this summer, you may be wondering whether to go ahead with only a limited number of guests as soon as the Government allows you to do so, delay it until the autumn, or even into 2021....
by JennyChallenges behind embryo freezing
Starting a family is always a huge decision for any couple, and it is for this reason that many choose to freeze embryos that have been fertilised through IVF. Often this decision is made because the couple feel they only want to start a family when they are ready to financially support children or because one of the couple have health issues, such as cancer, which requires treatment that...
by JennyInfographic: Managing the challenges of the lockdown
In these unprecedented times, many of us have been left facing uncertainty and struggling to adapt to new arrangements. This is particularly the case with family law-related issues, which can be complex and fraught with conflict at the best of times. As we attempt to navigate this challenging period and establish a new normal, many new issues will need to be addressed, both during the...
by Jenny