As you will know if you look at my article on Interim Removal taking a child away before a final hearing is something of an uphill struggle. In C (A Child) (Refusal to Make an Interim Care Order) Mr Justice Holman declined to make an interim care order – though as he says himself – other judges…
DetailsI came across a curious issue the other day. A solicitor representing the other side informed a litigant in person that under the rules, because he was unrepresented (he was by me, but by Direct Access), the solicitor was obliged to produce the bundle for the case (about contact). The rule says: Responsibility for…
DetailsInspired by the The Syndrome screening I thought I would collect up a few useful resources on the topic of shaken baby, both legal and medical. For the moment I will concentrate on articles which are freely available but I will later produce a bibliography on articles which can be accessed through subscription websites such…
DetailsMe & my colleagues over at the Transparency Project have been discussing the vexed issue of transcripts of family court judgments NOT being published on Bailii and Paul McGrath has written about our project to research into this. I would love to hear about your experiences which I could then pass on to the TP…
DetailsDon’t announce to the world on Facebook that you are leaving your spouse http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/7845946.stm woman murdered when changed her status from married to single http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ifldrouFoXOW3dAwmD8W8xNz5MSgD95UV8N04 Associated Press re Chelsy DAvy changing status to not in a relationship http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/2009/01/27/getting-in-touch-with-your-past-is-so-easy-but-often-to-the-detriment-of-your-present-91466-22787225/ http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/husband-ends-sixyear-marriage-on-facebook-1548048.html Change your relationship status on Facebook etc to ‘in a relationship’ too soon http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/4371411/One-in-four-women-spy-on-partners.html forget that…
DetailsThere is a facetious answer to the question – what is a drink problem? Empty glass is the problem – another drink the solution. Or drink is the solution – now what was the problem again? In care cases, however, the usual joking between mates will not do. I am talking about this because I…
DetailsMany of my clients who have drink problems refuse to go to the obvious place for help: Alcoholics Anonymous . Over the years I have been given numerous different reasons and I thought I would do my best to debunk a few of the myths about AA. A common objection to AA is to say…
DetailsAlcohol Change (a merger between Alcohol Concern and Alcohol Research UK) is a leading UK charity dealing with alcohol abuse. Their website publishes a number of leaflets and fact sheets. Of particular interest to people with alcohol involved in care proceedings are the increasingly rare residential units which will accept parents and children. Phoenix Futures…
DetailsDoes a mother make a better parent?
I am posting a short series of posts about a philosophy of family law which I hope will provide food for thought for those of you who are locked in a family law battle and can’t see a way out. Once they are posted I will put them altogether in one article and link to…
DetailsIn the heat of the moment eg with the late back from contact situation – it is very tempting just to get angry – the other person is wrong – they broke the agreement to bring the child back at 5 so you are entitled to be angry. But does it make a difference being…
DetailsAsk yourself some questions: What is it that is not working in this situation? What am I always complaining about? What can I be responsible for? How does the situation occur for the other person / people? How do they see it? What’s missing for me or them in the situation or conversation that it…
DetailsFirst listen to yourself as you have conversations with your friends and work colleagues about life in generally and particularly listen for the times when you use the words always or never or similarly general words. Or when you start talking about your rights in the situation? When do you use these expressions? Identify the…
DetailsCan you think of a time when you just knew exactly what the other person in a conversation was going to say? No? Not even your mother when you phone after a long gap in contact? Or how they were going to react? No? Not even your partner when you want to go to visit…
DetailsI am posting a short series of posts about a philosophy of family law which I hope will provide food for thought for those of you who are locked in a family law battle and can’t see a way out. Once they are posted I will put them altogether in one article and link to…
DetailsIf you have the benefit of legal representation, then your first port of call should be to your solicitor in asking for advice on what to do next. Even if you do not like their advice, you should give it very serious consideration. Care proceedings are emotionally fraught by their very nature and a decision…
DetailsI have once again been asked a common question. Two parents have a child and then separate – the father leaves and does not pursue contact, direct or indirect and does not contribute to the child’s maintenance for some years. What can the resident parent do to ensure the child is properly looked after in…
DetailsI am often asked whether it is possible to force the non-resident parent to have more contact than they seem to want. It is always possible for parents to agree together whatever contact arrangements they think are suitable. It quite often provides a welcome break for the main carer if the other parent takes up…
DetailsExcellent post over on the Landlord Law blog on the meaning of ‘without prejudice’.
Well I am back from the abyss of work I have been plunged into post Baby P although despite statements to the effect that things are slowing down it is marginal. An interesting question has been exercising me: can a holder of a shared residence order take a child on holiday abroad without the consent…
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