In recent months separated parents have found themselves in unprecedented times trying to navigate child arrangements whilst complying with COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. In March 2019 the President of the Family Court, Sir Andrew McFarlane, made it clear that where parents do not live in the same household, children under 18 can be moved between their
A husband who was struggling financially has been denied permission to appeal against a financial remedies order because he was 15 months out of time. The case involved a couple who divorced in 2016. The husband was a managing director and shareholder of two companies. In July 2018, following a three-day hearing, the judge held
A woman who was misled by her cohabiting partner has won her legal fight to own 50% of the home they shared together. The case involved Natalie O’Neill and Shaun Holland, who had lived together for 12 years. Legal title to the property had been vested in the sole name of O’Neill’s father from its
A father has been granted a court order for his children to be vaccinated despite objections from their mother. The children were aged six and four. The parents had separated, and the children lived with the mother. The parents were involved in proceedings for a child arrangement order under the Children Act 1989. The mother
A husband has failed to persuade the court to overturn a divorce settlement he described a “grossly unfair”. The case involved a couple who had married in 1987 and divorced in 2010. The husband was a successful property developer and the wife was a homemaker. A consent order for financial remedies was made in 2010,
The Court of Appeal has rejected a local authority’s plan to have a two-year-old girl placed for adoption. The girl, referred to in court as LC, had two older brothers, aged eight and seven. The mother had learning difficulties and mental health issues. There were concerns that the children had suffered neglect, had been exposed
The High Court has ordered that an 11-year-old boy who was abducted by his father should be returned to his mother. The case involved a couple who had married in 2009. The mother was Italian and the father was part Italian with dual nationality. The family lived in Italy in a house opposite the home
From 30th November 2020 to 4th December marks Good Divorce Week. This is an annual campaign initiative by Resolution, a national organisation of family justice professionals who aim to work with families and individuals to resolve issues in a constructive way. Resolution has over 6,500 professional members including the Machins Family Law Team. The initiative’s
A husband has successfully challenged a divorce settlement arrived at through arbitration and has been allowed to have the issues reconsidered in court. The wife had applied for financial relief following the marriage breakdown. After an unsuccessful financial dispute resolution hearing, the case was listed for trial. However, no district judge was available, so the
A grandmother who failed to get permission to have her grandson live with her can now apply again because she’s moved to a bigger house. The case involved a two-year-old who was referred to in court as J. He had three siblings. The local authority became involved with the family before his birth due to