Avoid Distress for Children: The Benefits of an Amicable Divorce Divorce can be an incredibly difficult time for everyone involved, but for children, the uncertainty and conflict surrounding a separation can be particularly challenging. Where possible, parents should consider ways to Avoid Distress for Children by working together to reach an amicable agreement rather [...]

Unmarried Couples Disputes in the UK: Legal Aspects, Pros and Cons As the number of cohabiting couples continues to grow across the UK, unmarried couples disputes have become increasingly common. Many people mistakenly believe that living together creates the same legal rights as marriage, often referred to as a “common law marriage.” However, in [...]

Is legal aid worth it? A look at costs, eligibility and your options If you're facing a legal issue and worried about the cost, you may be asking yourself: is legal aid worth it? For many people in the UK, legal aid can provide vital access to justice, but it's important to understand when [...]

How is Coercive Control measured? By persistent and consistent behaviour Coercive control is one of the most challenging forms of domestic abuse to measure because it is not defined by a single incident, but by a persistent pattern of behaviour. Unlike physical violence, coercive control often leaves no visible injuries, making it harder to [...]

In need of family law advice? Evening appointments are now available. If you can't make it to the office during the day for family law advice, due to work or family commitments, our family law department offers evening remote appointments between 5pm and 8pm, via telephone or video call. Appointments will need to be [...]

Civil Partnership and Divorce: What's the difference? In the UK, terminating a civil partnership and obtaining a divorce are very similar legal processes, but there are several important differences between the two. Both procedures legally end a recognised relationship, yet they apply to different types of unions and involve slightly different legal terminology and [...]

Does all domestic abuse lead to a criminal prosecution? Where are the lines drawn? Domestic violence warrants criminal prosecution when the behaviour amounts to a criminal offence under existing law, regardless of whether it occurs within a family, intimate, or former partner relationship. The term “domestic abuse” is broadly defined in the Domestic Abuse [...]

Five key considerations in child arrangements following a divorce or separation When determining child arrangements following divorce or separation, the most important consideration is the welfare of the child. This is the guiding principle under the Children Act 1989, meaning that all decisions must prioritise the child’s physical, emotional, and educational needs above all [...]

Understanding Economic Abuse: Control, Dependency and Financial Harm Economic abuse is a form of domestic abuse that involves controlling, exploiting, or sabotaging a person’s access to money, employment, housing, or other financial resources. In the UK, it is recognised in law under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 as a form of abusive behaviour. Unlike [...]

Protecting Your Property Rights: Why a Cohabitation Agreement Matters Protecting your property rights with a cohabitation agreement is an important step for unmarried couples living together in the UK. A common misconception is that “common law marriage” provides legal protection, but this does not exist in UK law. Without a cohabitation agreement, property disputes [...]