Family, Children & Divorce

The government is being urged to introduce major changes to divorce laws to reduce the stress and difficulties faced by couples when their marriage breaks down. A private member’s bill put forward by Baroness Butler-Sloss proposes a system of no-fault divorce. It would be the first major change to divorce laws in England and Wales

A mother has lost her appeal to prevent her children being returned to their father in Canada. The courts rejected her argument that such a move would cause her to collapse emotionally. The mother and children had been living with the father in Canada until October 2016. At that point, the mother wrongfully removed the

A wife who lost most of her divorce settlement because of unsuccessful investments has failed in her legal battle to make her former husband pay her more to compensate for her losses. Graham and Maria Mills had married in 1987 and divorced in 2002. They had one child. The matrimonial home was sold, and the

A father has been committed to prison for 18 months after separating his children from their mother while on holiday and refusing to return them. The Court of Appeal was told that the children had not seen their mother for five years and were not living with either of their parents. The case involved a

The Supreme Court has “reluctantly” ruled against a woman seeking a divorce to free her from what she describes as a loveless marriage. The five justices said they had misgivings about dismissing her appeal and have asked Parliament to consider reforming the divorce laws. The highly publicised case involved Tini Owens, aged 68, and her

A father has failed in his bid to have his son returned to the UK from Spain. In refusing his application, the High Court gave some useful guidance on how to determine a child’s habitual country of residence when parental disputes arise. The case involved a couple who met in the UK but then moved

The Supreme Court has ruled in favour of a heterosexual couple who want to enter into a civil partnership as an alternative to getting married. The judgment follows a long running legal battle involving Charles Keidan and his partner Rebecca Steinfeld, who live in London. The couple want a legally recognised relationship but are uncomfortable

The Court of Appeal says a pre-nup agreement between a divorcing couple should be upheld even though the wife claimed she had not been properly advised about its implications when it was drawn up. The case involved a husband and wife who were both Swedish but spent most of their 21-year marriage living in England.

Grandparents may be granted stronger legal rights to see their grandchildren under proposals being considered by Prime Minister Theresa May and the Ministry of Justice. Justice Minister Lucy Frazer said her department was considering changing the law so there is a “presumption” that grandparents should be able to see their grandchildren unless there are reasons