Family

Articles

Come together

Collaborative law can provide clients with the control and privacy needed to resolve family disputes, says Jane Cowley

Who will pay for the expert's report?

As DJ Tacy Cronin considers whether a divorced couple's monies under lien with one of their solicitors should be used to pay for an expert in a contact dispute, she finds out how involving Cafcass could avoid the expense altogether

The end of nil rate band trusts for couples?

Now that married couples and civil partners can claim the transferable nil-rate band, is there any point in setting up a nil-rate band trust on the first death, and, if so, what are the benefits and options? Karen Miller assesses the position

Appeal judges reduce award in first civil partnership finance dispute

Lord Justice Thorpe has allowed the appeal by banker Peter Lawrence seeking a reduction in the award made to his former partner actor Donald Gallagher in the first financial dispute following the dissolution of a civil partnership.

Lords reject proposals to replace legal aid for children with CFAs

The government suffered another battering over the legal aid bill in the lords this afternoon as peers endorsed a series of amendments to bring all children cases back into scope.

Counting the pennies

With the rise in spouses at risk of bankruptcy, divorce lawyers should make sure they are conversant with personal insolvency rules, says Claire Reid

Male friend can be third parent to lesbian couple's child

Judges considering applications for parenting arrangements between same-sex couples and third-party sperm donors should place the child's interest first and look at each case on its own merits, the Court of Appeal has ruled.

Arbitration is a worthy alternative to court

Family lawyers must embrace this fairer, more flexible and potentially cheaper option, says Marilyn Stowe