Domestic abusers are now no longer able to cross-examine their victims in family and civil courts. The move follows concerns that perpetrators were using the process as a means of extending their abuse and victims were being re-traumatised by their experiences in court. There are now registered solicitors and barristers Read more…
Couples going through a divorce may soon have to use mediation rather than take their case to court. Under new plans—currently being drawn up by the government—they will also be ordered to pay their partners’ costs if they turn down a reasonable settlement. The decision on mandatory divorce mediation is Read more…
The Ministry of Justice has confirmed it will continue to fund the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme until 1 April 2022. The FMC hopes to confirm the length of the extension soon, but in the meantime, they can confirm that funding is available for vouchers requested so far and that mediators Read more…
Divorce applications increase in the first week of the new law There were three thousand divorce applications in the first week after the introduction of the new Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act, which is a 50% increase on the weekly average. If couples cannot progress with a joint application and Read more…
The biggest shake-up in divorce law for over 50 years has come into force. These groundbreaking reforms introduce the concept of a “no-fault” divorce. The Divorce, Dissolution, and Separation Act (2020) aims to reduce conflict between separating couples. It means that they will no longer have to apportion blame for Read more…
The Office for National Statistics has published the divorce statistics for 2020 in England and Wales. There is a caveat about the potential but unknown impact of the pandemic on the figures. Highlights are: Over 103, 000 divorces were granted in England and Wales, a decrease of 4.5% compared with Read more…
The government is extending the family mediation voucher scheme. They have also put in another £1.3 million. It is expected that this will extend the scheme until the end of March 2022. This means that mediators can continue to offer vouchers to their clients. It is anticipated that vouchers will Read more…
A cool £1 billion was either collected or arranged by the Child Maintenance Service last year. That’s a record figure. The increase down to the CMS having stronger powers and and having strong sanctions. This include deductions from personal bank accounts as well as seizing passports and/or driving licences. There Read more…
The number of calls to the Respect Men’s Advice Line, which offers support to men experiencing domestic abuse rose by 60 per cent on this time last year. The charity says the pandemic made the problem worse by an increase in violence and psychological abuse. Covid-19 had also limited the Read more…
Citizens Advice are anticipating and upsurge in marriage breakdown as a result of the pandemic. Citizens Advice has seen a rise in online searches for guidance on divorce since April. This followed a drop when lockdown started. Searches for advice about getting a divorce peaked on Sundays.