You are here:

Blog

1 - 30 of 46 Posts

Page: [1] 2

Adoption update

Vanessa Priddis - 14 May 2012 -

Following on from Amy's blog, there was a recent article on the BBC News website recording that council leaders are criticising the new adoption score cards which are going to be introduced inEnglandin an effort to speed up the adoption process. The government's thinking is that the score cards would show ...

The Queen's Speech

Vanessa Priddis - 10 May 2012 -

Did anybody yesterday get the chance to listen to the Queen's speech. In the Queen's speech plans were made for more flexible parental leave speedier adoption and a radical shake up of support for children with special educational needs. These are all laudable aims. Under the plans of parental leave ...

I thought it would be like Wills and Kate

Simon Thomas - 04 May 2012 -

We’re always being told how we should settle out of Court. We are told the Court system causes delays, it's expensive, it increases the hostility between parties and drags out proceedings until finally the couple have to endure the somewhat frustrating process of having an Order being imposed upon them. This week the ...

Solicitor of the year – guilty as charged

Vanessa Priddis - 01 May 2012 -

I read a really good article on the BBC news website about a poll that had been undertaken by LV travel insurance in respect of parents taking children out of school. I have to plead guilty as charged. In my defence however it was only ever when it was activities ...

DV or not DV, that is the question

Vanessa Priddis - 26 April 2012 -

So, the government has survived the last ditch attempt in the House of Lords to amend the controversial legal aid bill, particularly in respect of those cuts that apply to victims of domestic violence.The House of Lords were arguing that the victims of domestic abuse do not acknowledge the problem, ...

Oh What a Night

Rachel Cook - 23 April 2012 -

With the deadline to submit a nomination for this year's Family Law Awards fast approaching (4 May 2012 ), I like to remember last year when our Michelmores' Partner and Head of the Childcare team, Vanessa Priddis won the prestigious award of Family Lawyer of the Year 2011 . Oh what a night! Michelmores' family law team were nominated ...

Strap yourself to a dashing, handsome man....

Rachel Cook - 16 April 2012 -

This week we are pleased to welcome guest blogger and member of the Family Team, Sarah White.Strap yourself to a dashing, handsome man they said. It sounded great, before someone mumbled "then throw yourself out of a plane at 15,000 feet". I knew there was a catch. Scenes from Terminal ...

Civil Partnership v Marriage - equal rights?

Simon Thomas - 05 April 2012 -

In what is being viewed as a test case, the decision to award Donald Gallagher a £1,700,000 (42% share) settlement following the breakdown of his civil partnership has been overturned. Peter Lawrence and Donald Gallagher had cohabited for more than 11 years before entering into a civil partnership which ...

Whose fault is it you're breaking up?

Catherine Reynolds - 04 April 2012 -

She was never like this when you married her. He never has any time for you. They'd rather be at work than spend time with the kids. All we do is row. You cheated on me. There are dozens of reasons why a marriage or civil partnership can break down ...

It's not hard for a woman to make a man hit her

Sue Dowen - 03 April 2012 -

Press coverage claiming Dennis Waterman admitted to punching and slapping his ex-wife whilst insisting "She certainly wasn't a beaten wife, she was hit and that's different...it's not difficult for a woman to make a man hit her" has sparked further debate regarding the ignorance surrounding and ...

Has this happened to you?

Rachel Cook - 02 April 2012 -

Dubious experts are paid to tear families apart shout headlines as a new report condemns the shoddy standards of some psychologist's reports in our Family Courts.Who can forget the solicitor, Sally Clark who was convicted in November 1999 of murdering her two children. She maintained her innocence. The evidence was ...

Any argument settled

Rachael Shearmur - 29 March 2012 -

You may have heard in the news recently a new scheme has been launched to assist couples who are in dispute – the Institute of Family Law Arbitrators (which is probably more exciting than its title would suggest). What is it? Arbitration ...

Are you caring for someone else's child?

Vanessa Priddis - 29 March 2012 -

A study released on 16 June 2011 showed thousands of children are being raised by family members who are not their parents. Statistics show that 1 in 77 UK children were being raised in kinship care in 2001 and it is believed the figures have risen sharply since. This study was ...

Local Authorities to face Strictly style scorecards

Amy Sanders - 23 March 2012 -

The government has published plans to speed up the adoption process in its new report An Action Plan for Adoption: Tackling Delay. As the number of children finding new homes through adoption continues to fall, ministers hope by reducing the time taken to adopt a child, ...

Breaking up - has the Chancellor made it easier?

Catherine Reynolds - 22 March 2012 -

Though you might argue about where to go on holiday, you're much more likely to be rowing about whether you can afford it. As finances become problematic, cracks in relationships begin to widen, stress levels rise and nerves are stretched to breaking point. As the country struggles economically, it's perhaps ...

Domestic Abuse on Indian TV

Amy Sanders - 22 March 2012 -

Indian television is shortly to launch a new series entitled Saubhagyavati Bhava. This is the story of two newlyweds: Jhanvi and her husband, Viraj . Viraj suffers from an Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder ; his is a character that is both abusive and charming. During the programmes, we will see ...

Tweet Supreme

Rachel Cook - 20 March 2012 -

For almost a year now the Supreme Court has allowed the use of Twitter from their courtrooms in the majority of cases but now an innovative move sees the Court launch their own Twitter page. Since its launch their tweeting rate has been rather modest but hopefully this will improve ...

Divorced... Not until you have read the bible

Zoe Porter - 20 March 2012 -

Last week saw the start of the Bromley Baptist Church launch of a free seminar to divorcees to help them recover from the pain of divorce. Each of the thirteen biblically based seminars will involve watching a thirty-five minute DVD followed by a small group discussion. The DVD includes experts, ...

This is Abuse

Sue Dowen - 20 March 2012 -

YouTube. Home to movie trailers, music videos, 'You've Been Framed' style antics, and now - the latest forum in the fight against domestic abuse. The Home Office have launched a series of PSA videos aimed at teens and their relationships. Their 'This is ABUSE' campaign focuses ...

Down at the end of lonely street

Catherine Reynolds - 20 March 2012 -

"Michelmores Down at the end of lonely street there's Heartbreak Hotel, or perhaps, divorce hotel. This latest trend in Europe sees clients offered a plush five star 'made-to-measure' divorce organised with a team of professionals over a ...

Are you sure you're married?

Catherine Reynolds - 20 March 2012 -

"michelmores You've got the dress and flowers, you've said the vows, your parents shed a tear. The photographs look wonderful, the cake was delicious. It didn't rain. But are you really married? Are you sure? Should you ...

Domestic abuse - A lesson learnt

Amy Sanders - 06 March 2012 -

"michelmores Following the launch in England of separate domestic violence courts Edinburgh is now leading the way in Scotland in the fight against domestic abuse. A new Court has been established dedicated to domestic abuse ...

Dangerous if Ignored

Amy Sanders - 05 March 2012 -

"michelmores At Michelmores we fully support the agencies assisting victims of domestic abuse so we were interested to read the report in the Cornish Guardian which stated in Newquay a person ...

Divorce Stress Syndrome

Simon Thomas - 05 March 2012 -

"michelmores He sleeps like a baby. You can't sleep, you have panic attacks, sometimes it's difficult to breathe. You feel depressed, distracted, you have flashbacks, you lose (or even gain) large ...

My Working Week

Simon Thomas - 24 February 2012 -

Simon Thomas is a partner at Michelmores LLP and Head of the Family Law Team. He specialises in matrimonial cases with particular emphasis on the financial consequences of divorce and relationship breakdown.Monday morning begins with a new client which for a matrimonial lawyer usually involves a large amount of coffee, ...

Operation Encompass

Amy Sanders - 20 February 2012 -

A Plymouth based scheme to support children suffering from the effects of domestic abuse has been praised by local schools and MPs. Operation Encompass enables schools and the police to share information where children are suffering or witnessing domestic abuse. The scheme sees groups of specially trained 'Key Adults' in ...

How to propose?

Zoe Porter - 20 February 2012 -

A question that's been bothering men for centuries. Should you be traditional, on bended knee, rose in one hand, ring in the other? What about having the waiter hide it in her favourite dessert (though this one has obvious choking hazards not to mention immersing a very expensive ring in ...

Date for the diary

Amy Sanders - 16 February 2012 -

As I'm sure you're all aware, 8 March is International Women's Day. The theme for 2012 is 'Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures' with events and celebrations being held across the world. Closer to home, groups including the Equality South West and Women's Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre will be leading an ...

Is it really broken bones?

Rachel Cook - 16 February 2012 -

Picture this nightmare scenario. The child is in agony. You can't settle your child. You take your child to hospital. They inform you your child has suffered fractures and suddenly you're in the twilight zone of child protection meetings and accusations of non-accidental injuries. This scenerio has happened on more than ...

More child focused OFSTED inspections

Vanessa Priddis - 16 February 2012 -

Following last year's independent review of the Child Protection Service OFSTED has announced that inspections of child protection services are to be unannounced, more intensive and child focused. The government commissioned Professor Eileen Munroe to report on the child protection system in England after some failures (including the Baby P ...