There might be no harm in posting pictures of children on social media.  In care cases, where children have come to the attention of...

Keeping your child safe online can be a monumental challenge for parents.  Peppa Pig is unlikely to be high on the "permission...

Abortion is illegal in many countries - a female child in Argentina was denied an abortion following a rape - a situation that is...

Although coming from an American website (Forbes), the principles remain the same as does the advice this article gives.

It's always...

In 2015, controlling and coercive behaviour was made a criminal offence, however before this, in 2010 Sally Challen was convicted of the...

Although courts and Judges view and determine matters differently, the key element upon which they all agree is that any child of the...

A recent review into the legal aid cuts has proposed an additional £6.5m in the budget, but given the amount that has been cut, £950m, is...

This month, the court of appeal are to decide and potentially set a new precedent as to whether a child can be registered without a mother.

Social Services has a statutory obligation to safeguard children. They becomes involved in family life where there are concerns about the...

It is every parent's worst nightmare to have a child removed from their care and it can be a traumatic experience for the child and the...

An independent journalist has succeeded in her appeal to secure the right to report on a family case. 

The appeal was largely agreed...

This article recognises that the lack of legal aid availability in some types of cases either leaves the individual representing...

A law has recently passed in French parliament, whereby 'Mother' and 'Father' will now be replaced with 'Parent 1' and 'Parent 2' in...

An example of why it is important to think about how you test a client, parent or potential carer - what method do we use, what period...

Fentanyl is a Class A drug; it has been America's latest drug of choice and is rapidly making an appearance in the UK. 

Even small...

A High Court Judge has again raised the issue of pro bono work in his recent Judgement, comparing it to the well meaning horse, Boxer, from

The processing times for Bury St Edmunds divorce court, which covers London and the South-East have reached a record delay.

The previous...

Drug and alcohol testing is common practice in childcare cases and often contributes to the outcome of these cases. However, the results...

Social media is ever present in daily life. Calls have now been made for Tinder and Grindr to set some safety measures for children who...

The president of the High Court's Family Division has been dealing with a case this week where a transgender man wants to be recognised...

A committee is sitting later this week to look at children whose Mother's are in prison. Focus is being given to the arrangements for the...

This Judge tried to resolve a dispute by visiting the dairy farm. I often get asked how a parent involved in care proceedings can prove,...

In February 2019 the High Court gave judgement on the matter of L V M. This is a lengthy 76 paragraph judgement, but I have summarised...

Although I first wrote and published this a few months ago, it's still just as valid and important and worth a second look if you missed...

This article brings to light the pressures that the Court and all parties, whether they are professionals or parents, are under,...

Government data suggests  that there has been 134% rise in parents representing themselves in private law proceedings about their...

The second reading in the House of Commons of the proposed amendments to the Children Act 1989, to include the Female Genital Mutilation...

A private group of investors have pledged £280,000 to save the Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC), a scheme started in 2008 after...

There is an FDAC (Family Drug and Alcohol Court) in Southampton. I have dealt with several cases going through this process and integral...

This may not sound the most romantic basis for starting a relationship but it makes interesting reading on Valentine's Day ...

This case has it all - forged documents, seizure of assets by Interpol, multi-jurisdictional issues and a £453m payment, the UK's largest...

The figures don't lie - divorce petitions by Wives have fallen at a quicker rate than by Husbands. But why is this the case?

This article...

In a groundbreaking move, a senior Judge has used the Judicial Twitter account to appeal for a missing mother.

Ellie Yarrow-Sanders went...

A Ugandan born mother from east London has been the first person in the UK to be convicted for female genital mutilation following a...

This just goes to show that legal proceedings can take their toll on everyone involved! This is something we at Dutton Gregory fully...

At a reading of the Female Genital Mutilation Bill on Friday this was blocked by Conservative MP Christopher Chope who raised objection.

A Zoo in America is celebrating Valentine's Day by inviting visitors to name cockroaches after their ex-partners. The insects will then...

It has today been reported that a sharia marriage law will be introduced to ensure that all weddings of Muslin couples celebrated in...

With more and more people choosing to represent themselves these days, it is important to consider the impact that can have upon a case...

New research published by the Nuttfield Foundation reinforces the case for the reform of the divorce system in England and Wales.

The Ministry of Justice and Foreign & Commonwealth Office have published guidance if the UK leaves the EU without a deal on 29 March.

Cansford Labs have shared an interesting blog on the effects of Fentanyl and its rising usage in the UK.  It is another drug to be...

A Bill is currently moving through Government and is due to have its second reading in the House of Commons on 15 March 2019.  It...

Families facing the removal of children from their care, loss of housing or bereavement are often at a low point in their lives and...

Reviews are taking place but changes are taking time.

There are more and more drugs becoming available for use (including the newer synthetic varieties such as Fentanyl) and as family lawyers...

This note is just another reminder of the importance of qualified advice and how the law is constantly changing to take into account...

Under new proposals by the Justice Minister, Lucy Frazer it is being suggested patients attending their GP surgeries will be given access...

Thank you to Gary Fawcett (Counsel) of No, 18 Chambers for this short guide on pensions - a complex area and where the terminology used...

After years of campaigning by family law groups such as Resolution it appears the case of Owens & Owens has finally convinced the...

Children in exploitative situations often receive  gifts, money or affection as a result of performing sexual activities or others...

We are all in need of some guidance as to the impact Brexit will have on us, this includes Solicitors practising in a number of areas of...

The findings of a recent study comparing the emotional and academic progress of children in married, cohabiting and lone-parent families...

The former head of the family court once said he had to rule on what haircut a child should have when his parents couldn't agree.

Although...

Many people finding themselves in need of the services of a lawyer are unaware of the enormous cuts to public funding over the years and...

... celebrates 70 years in 2019 ...

Almost 80% of the population qualified for legal aid (as it is commonly known) 70 years ago.  ...

Social media is increasingly featured in court cases; we have gotten used to the idea of locating and contacting parties via social...

An article that sums up the difficulties within the foster care system with many foster carers feeling unsupported and Children's...

There have been hundreds of FGM protection Orders made in the last few years and several attempts at prosecutions for FGM, but this is...

The Independent has reported that there has been a surge in parents who have been forced to represent themselves in children proceedings...

While the uncertainty remains, guidance is being issued to assist family lawyers and their clients.  No doubt, more will follow...