Can Non-Financial Conduct Affect Financial Proceedings?
One of the most common questions in divorce cases concerns whether bad behaviour during the marriage can influence the financial outcome. Many clients assume that acts such as infidelity, domestic abuse, or other forms of misconduct will automatically affect the division of assets. In reality, the law takes a much more restrained approach. Section 25(2)(g) […]
Associate Solicitor Emma Diack writes for TL4 Divorce Magazine
HNW_Divorce_Magazine_Issue_23_Year_In_Review.pdf
Changing a Minor’s Name in the UK
The UK legal system has a secure structure in place to approve a decision to change the name of the child and how it must be carried out. The number one priority always being the welfare of the child. Who Can Approve a Name Alteration? Authority to approve a name change depends on whether […]
Caught in the Act: The Risks of Covert Recordings
Covert recordings have gradually become one of the more disruptive features of modern family litigation. With a phone never far away, many parents feel tempted to capture conversations or interactions in secret. People often assume a hidden recording will give them an advantage, but the family courts treat such material with significant caution and disapproval. […]
Being a parent is a privilege not a right
The Government has publicly announced two landmark reforms which will reshape the family justice system in England and Wales. They have stated that it will introduce the necessary legislation ‘as soon as parliamentary time allows’. While no fixed timetable has been announced, the reforms are expected to be introduced in Parliament in 2026. These changes […]
The Legal Landscape of Polyamory
The traditional view of relationships is changing. While marriage was once seen as the ultimate goal for couples, many now choose to cohabit without formalising their relationship. Additionally, polyamorous relationships are becoming more visible and common in modern society. This type of relationship is where individuals have multiple intimate partners with the knowledge and consent […]
The Deepfake Dilemma
In today’s increasingly digital world, the courtroom is not immune to the disruptive power of artificial intelligence. Nowhere is this more concerning than in family law, where emotionally charged disputes rely heavily on personal evidence. However, the emergence of deepfakes are threatening to destabilise the integrity of the court process. What is a Deepfake? Deepfakes […]
Protect and Prevent: The Pilot Scheme Changing the Response to Domestic Abuse
The introduction of the pilot scheme which created Domestic Abuse Protection Notices (DAPNs) and Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) marks a substantial shift in how domestic abuse cases are handled in England and Wales. These new protective measures are currently being piloted in selected parts of the UK, with the aim of providing immediate and long-term […]
The Paw-litics of Divorce
Family Law Position in the UK In UK family law, pets are legally considered personal property, known as chattels. However, many people view pets as part of the family rather than mere possessions. In some cases, the court will consider the emotional attachment between pets and their owners and prioritise the pet’s wellbeing when deciding […]
Clarence Family Law represented the respondent wife in Copinger-Symes v Copinger-Symes & Anor [2024] EWFC 415.
https://caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ewfc/2024/415?query=copinger+symes
