Family Matters News

Mariella Frostrup recently wrote a very interesting article in The Guardian about a man who was concerned when he found that his wife was arranging to see a solicitor and was saying that she was a victim of physical and mental abuse. Marielle recommended family mediation. Read the article here. … [Read more...]

No-fault divorce will become law as the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 received royal assent on 25 June 2020.   In what is seen as the biggest shake-up of divorce law in 50 years, people will be able to apply to divorce or dissolve a civil partnership without having to blame each other.  It is expected that this will come into force by … [Read more...]

Sir Andrew McFarlane, president of the family division, has published a document – The Road Ahead – which sets out a framework for family court work for the next six months. Previous optimistic views that the situation created by COVID-19 ‘would all be over by July’ have now been replaced with a more realistic view that courts may be back to normal by the end of the year, or even spring … [Read more...]

Mediation co-ordinator, Alison McDonald, gives us an insight into what she likes about working from home during the coronavirus lockdown - and what she misses! What do you like about being in lockdown and working from home for Family Matters? Well on a personal level, the most obvious benefit is time! Not coming into the office saves me about two hours each day, and I’ve been trying to use … [Read more...]