At the present time in the UK, whilst same-sex couples cannot marry they can enter into a civil partnership. Although in many ways this is similar to marriage in terms of the legal position, critics have long argued that marriage should be open to both same- sex as well as heterosexual couples. The Netherlands was […]

A report recently published by the Phoenix Group contains some interesting findings about the treatment of pensions on divorce. The findings suggest that: Only 6% of divorcees received a pension sharing or earmarking order as part of their divorce settlement 42% of women say that they were financially worse off after divorce After getting divorced […]

Around 14 million Britons are thought to regularly use social networking sites and Facebook is now said to have 1 Billion users. Therefore it is hardly surprising that the site is being blamed for a rising number of marital breakdowns One Solicitors firm has recently claimed that one in five petitions have cited Facebook using […]

Last Wednesday Mike Philpott was jailed for life by Mrs Justice Thirlwall after being convicted of the manslaughter of six of his children. Whilst many individuals, including the Chancellor George Osborne, have been sidetracked into considering whether the killings are connected to the welfare state, Mrs Justice Thirwell focused more on Mr Philpott’s history and […]

The Office for National Statistics report released 30 January 2013 shows that the number of UK residents living in a married household has declined 6% in ten years. The report also shows: Cohabiting couples increase by 2% Lone parent households increase by 1% The percentage of usual residents in households living in one person households in […]

Last night at 7:00pm it was announced that Government voted in favour of the Marriage (same Sex Couples) Bill. Yesterday’s vote took most of the day to decide but eventually it was approved by 400 votes to 175, a majority of 225. The Bill will allow same sex couples to enter into a marriage instead […]

Findings have recently been published by the Office for National Statistics which show that divorce rates, particularly for the over 60’s are on the increase . The results show that during 2011, 8.0% of males divorcing and 5.0% of females divorcing were aged 60 and over. This compares with just 4.6% of males and 2.6% […]

Miss Curran was in a relationship with Mr Collins for 30 years and is now left penniless following a recent decision of the Courts. Pamela and Mr Collins had worked together in the family kennels and cattery business operated from the family home. However, the family home was bought in the sole name of Mr […]

The Court of Appeal has this week given it decision in the Petrodel Resources v Prest case. The Husband in the case was an oil tycoon. His Wife was awarded £17.5 million upon their divorce. Moylan J decided that he could make Orders directly against the Husband’s companies and Ordered that eleven London properties held […]

A major new review by the Law Commission has suggested that divorce settlements should be settled according to a mathematical formula to avoid time-consuming and costly disputes. The Law Commission has criticised the current legal framework for creating too much uncertainty and inconsistency. At present the starting point for the Court, in considering a financial […]

At Blacks we like to keep up to date with Family Law developments in other countries. Sometimes this can give an indication as to how the position may develop in our jurisdiction in the future, for example the enhanced rights of cohabitees in Scotland and whether this will finally result in a much needed change […]

In March 2012, a public consultation was launched by the Home Office setting out the government’s proposals for same sex couples and civil marriage. The main proposals of the consultation were: To enable same-sex couples to have a civil marriage (in a register office or approved premises, for example, a hotel). No changes to be […]