Couple told to cool off in £400m divorce battle – The Independent

Posted April 18th, 2011 in divorce, news by sally

“In what has become one of Britain’s most acrimonious and high-profile divorce battles, including walk-on roles for Simon Cowell and Sir Philip Green, a couple at war over a £400m ‘missing fortune’ has been given six months to ‘cool off’ after a week of bitter exchanges in the High Court.”

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The Independent, 16th April 2011

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Separation mediation plan ‘rushed and flawed’ – The Guardian

Posted April 7th, 2011 in dispute resolution, divorce, families, news by sally

“Last week the government’s independent Justice Review Panel published its interim report on the family justice system in England and Wales.”

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The Guardian, 7th April 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Public backs compulsory mediation assessments – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted April 6th, 2011 in dispute resolution, divorce, news by sally

“Two-thirds of the public support the new enforced mediation assessments being introduced for divorcing and separating couples tomorrow, according to research published by City firm Charles Russell.”

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Law Society’s Gazette, 5th April 2011

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Russian wife’s £2.85m divorce in Britain will ‘open floodgates’ – Daily Telegraph

Posted April 1st, 2011 in choice of forum, divorce, news by sally

“A Russian student has been awarded £2.8 million after an 18-month marriage in a settlement that her ex-husband’s lawyer claimed could turn Britain into the ‘divorce capital of the world’.”

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Daily Telegraph, 31st March 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Grandparents to get legal powers over access in divorce battles – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 31st, 2011 in arbitration, children, divorce, grandparents, news by sally

“Grandparents will get new legal powers to guarantee them access to their grandchildren following divorce battles under proposals unveiled today, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.”

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Daily Telegraph, 31st March 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

MPs warn against legal aid reforms in divorce cases – The Guardian

Posted March 30th, 2011 in divorce, domestic violence, legal aid, news by sally

“Making eligibility for legal aid in divorce and custody cases dependent on accusations of domestic violence will create a ‘perverse incentive’ that encourages false allegations, according to a group of MPs.”

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The Guardian, 30th March 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Divorce: Couples face new mediation rules and warnings – BBC News

Posted March 28th, 2011 in dispute resolution, divorce, news by sally

“Divorces in England and Wales could become quicker, less stressful and cheaper, but there are fears people will miss out on advice.”

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BBC News, 25th March 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Wife loses bid for bigger payout from estranged husband – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 24th, 2011 in appeals, divorce, financial provision, news by sally

“The estranged wife of a former banker who argued that £4.8 million was not enough to live on yesterday lost a High Court bid for a larger slice of his wealth.”

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Daily Telegraph, 23rd March 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Family lawyers face up to challenges ahead – Law Society’s Gazette

“Family law is facing an unprecedented year of change, with practitioners under intense pressure to be innovative if they want to maintain the viability of their practices. Some family law departments are already downsizing, or are being closed, as experienced practitioners move firms or set up their own niche practices. However, others are embracing change and are among their firms’ top teams in terms of fee income and profitability.”

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Law Society’s Gazette, 17th March 2011

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Divorce: Mediation should help married couples split up – BBC News

Posted March 2nd, 2011 in dispute resolution, divorce, family courts, news by sally

“A major shake-up of the family court procedures in England and Wales comes into effect on 6 April 2011.”

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BBC News, 2nd March 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

More separating couples to be spared court battles – Ministry of Justice

Posted February 23rd, 2011 in dispute resolution, divorce, news by sally

“Anyone setting out to contest the terms of their separation in court will first be required to consider mediation, under a new protocol agreed with the Judiciary.”

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Ministry of Justice, 23rd February 2011

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

News release: More separating couples to be spared court battles – Ministry of Justice

Posted February 23rd, 2011 in dispute resolution, divorce, news by sally

“Anyone setting out to contest the terms of their separation in court will first be required to consider mediation, under a new protocol agreed with the Judiciary.”

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Ministry of Justice, 23rd February 2011

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Divorcing couples to go through mediation before court – BBC News

Posted February 23rd, 2011 in dispute resolution, divorce, news by sally

“Divorcing couples will be referred to mediation to sort out most disputes before they are allowed to use the courts, the government is announcing.”

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BBC News, 23rd February 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Jones v Jones – WLR Daily

Posted February 1st, 2011 in divorce, financial provision, law reports by sally

Jones v Jones [2011] EWCA Civ 41; [2011] WLR (D) 26

“Even if an earning capacity might also sometimes be relevant to a fair distribution of the assets pursuant to the sharing principle, it did not follow that the earning capacity should itself be treated as one of those assets, still less that an attempt should be made to capitalise it.”

WLR Daily, 31st January 2011

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.

Oil millionaire’s ex-wife wins £3m more in divorce settlement – The Independent

Posted January 28th, 2011 in divorce, news by sally

“An oil technology millionaire was ordered to increase his former wife’s divorce settlement from £5 million to £8 million today.”

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The Independent, 28th January 2011

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Family mediation – an alternative to courts – Ministry of Justice

Posted January 5th, 2011 in dispute resolution, divorce, news by sally

“The first working day of the year is when lawyers, marriage counsellors and family mediators report the most enquiries from people intending to separate — which has sometimes led to it being coined ‘Divorce Day’ by the media.”

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Ministry of Justice, 4th January 2011

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

For richer, but not necessarily for poorer – pre-nups to become law – The Independent

Posted January 5th, 2011 in divorce, Law Commission, news, prenuptial agreements by sally

“Spectacular divorce battles like that which ensued after the break-up of Sir Paul McCartney and the model Heather Mills, costing the former Beatle £24.3m, are expected to be consigned to history after the Law Commission produces its long-awaited report on ‘pre nup’ agreements next week.”

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The Independent, 5th January 2011

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Will mediation replace solicitors in divorce proceedings? – BBC News

Posted December 8th, 2010 in dispute resolution, divorce, legal aid, news by sally

“Divorce can be a highly complex issue and many people going through it feel legal representation is vital. Until now, legal aid has been available to fund it, but new legislation means it will no longer be available in England and Wales.”

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BBC News, 8th December 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Father fights son over wife’s £5m divorce settlement – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 12th, 2010 in divorce, joint liability, news, personal injuries, wills by sally

“A father has gone to court claiming he deserves a greater share of his son’s £5 million inheritance left to him by his mother.”

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Daily Telegraph, 12th November 2010

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Granatino v Radmacher (formerly Granatino) – WLR Daily

Posted October 25th, 2010 in divorce, financial provision, law reports, prenuptial agreements by sally

Granatino v Radmacher (formerly Granatino) [2010] UKSC 42; [2010] WLR (D) 260

“A court should give effect to a nuptial agreement, whether entered into before or after marriage, that was freely entered into by each party with a full appreciation of its implications unless in the circumstances prevailing it would not be fair to hold the parties to the agreement.”

WLR Daily, 21st October 2010

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.