Expert Comments

Opinion
  • family-law
  • financial-provision

Family Law Consultation Officially Closed On 14 August 2026: How Could It Change The Rights Of Married And Civilly Partnered Couples?

The government’s 2026 consultation proposes significant changes to family law, including reforms to financial remedies on divorce and qualifying nuptial agreements. Our experts explore what the proposed changes could mean...

Opinion
  • child-abduction
  • child-law

International Children Law: Parental Abduction Between England & Wales And Mainland China

International child abduction cases involving Mainland China present unique challenges because China is not a party to the 1980 Hague Convention. In E v O [2025] EWHC 500 (Fam), the...

August 24, 2026
Opinion
  • child-abduction
  • child-law
  • divorce
  • separation

International Child Abduction: New Risk Of Criminal Liability For Abducting Parents

More than 500 children are taken out of the UK by a parent each year. A key gap in the law has now been closed: section 137 of the Crime...

August 21, 2026
Blog
  • divorce
  • family-law
  • financial-provision

Enforcing A Final Financial Remedy Order Abroad: Australia And New Zealand

With families and assets increasingly spread across multiple jurisdictions, enforcing a final financial remedy order abroad can be complex. This article examines how money judgments and non‑money orders made in...

August 21, 2026
Opinion
  • family-law
  • mediation-and-arbitration
  • separation

Parent Mental Health Day: Child-Focused Alternatives to Court for Separating Parents

Separating can be one of the most stressful experiences a parent will face. In recognition of Parent Mental Health Day, Rebecca Coates, Partner in the Family Law team, outlines child-focused...

January 29, 2026
Opinion
  • mediation-and-arbitration
  • prenuptial-and-cohabitation-agreement

Prenuptial Agreements and Mediation: An Expert Overview from Vanessa Friend

Negotiating a prenuptial agreement can feel daunting, but mediation offers a calm and confidential way to discuss the terms openly. Vanessa Friend, Head of Mediation, explains how mediation works in...

January 27, 2026
Opinion
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • family-law
  • mediation-and-arbitration

How To Resolve A Family Law Dispute Without Court

Court delays and an HMCTS IT error, where evidence went missing, highlight the risks of relying solely on court decisions, which are ultimately binding. Before going to court, couples should...

September 1, 2025
Blog
  • family-law
  • separation

Travelling Abroad with Children When Separated: Legal Tips for the Summer Holidays

Summer holidays can cause disagreements between separated parents over child arrangements. If there’s a Child Arrangements Order, it will usually cover this; otherwise, parents must agree. Key points: get permission...

July 16, 2025
Opinion
  • child-law
  • family-law

So You Think You Can Hide Assets In Children Act Proceedings?

In Re P (A Child) [2025] EWHC 1460 (Fam), the High Court considered a father’s attempts to conceal assets during Schedule 1 Children Act proceedings. Despite transferring funds to relatives...

July 10, 2025
Blog
  • family-law
  • Law Commission
  • Wills

Law Commission Recommends The Law Be Changed To Not Revoke A Will On Marriage

The Law Commission has today (16 May 2025) published its long-awaited report for the modernisation of Wills law and recommendations for reform. Wills law has remained largely unchanged for almost…

May 16, 2025
Blog
  • child-law
  • family-law
  • Gender Identity

Was Prioritising A Child’s Chosen Gender The Wrong Thing To Do?

The Court of Appeal in Re C (a child) (Change of Given Name) [2024] EWCA Civ 1582 considered whether a 15‑year‑old who identifies as non‑binary should be permitted to change...

May 8, 2025
Blog
  • court
  • family-law

Increase To Court Fees – Higher Costs For Divorce And Family Law Applications

In April 2025 there will be a round of fee increases in relation to the HMCTS court fees. The extra funding will help improve service delivery and subsiding the cost…

March 5, 2025
Opinion
  • divorce
  • family-law
  • financial-provision
  • separation

What Are Pension Sharing Orders And When Are They Ordered By The Court?

A Pension Sharing Order is a legal order made by the Family courts that redistributes a pension between two parties. These orders are made within the financial remedy proceedings that…

March 3, 2025
Opinion
  • divorce
  • family-law

Pets in Divorce: Are Courts Finally Considering Their Welfare?

Pets are integral part of family life and as such, disputes about their future living arrangements in the wake of a divorce are often hotly contested. Previously the position in…

February 27, 2025
Opinion
  • civil-partnership
  • family-law
  • prenuptial-and-cohabitation-agreement

How To Formalise Your Relationship Without Getting Married

Many people do not feel comfortable with the idea of marriage, but they still want to formalise their relationship. Vanessa Friend, Head of the Family Team at Hodge Jones &…

February 21, 2025
Opinion
  • family-law

Valentine’s Day: Five Legal Points To Consider Before Popping The Question!

Valentine’s Day is often associated with love, romance, and grand gestures, but for many, it is also a time of reflection on relationships—both their strengths and their struggles. For couples…

February 13, 2025
Opinion
  • divorce
  • family-law
  • separation

First Steps To Take After Separation: What Do I Do Now And Who Do I Need To Speak To?

Divorce can seem incredibly overwhelming, daunting and, at times, lonely. It is widely considered the second most stressful life event. If you have not been through the process before it…

February 11, 2025
Opinion
  • civil-partnership
  • divorce

How Will My Pension Be Assessed After Divorce Or Dissolution Of A Civil Partnership?

Pension funds often form the second largest asset after the family home. It is, therefore, very important to seek legal advice to understand your pension rights following the breakdown of…

February 11, 2025
Opinion
  • civil-partnership
  • family-law

Does A Civil Partnership Give Me The Same Rights As A Marriage?

Yes, a civil partnership can create the same legal rights for both same sex couples and opposite sex couples in England and Wales as a marriage. It should be noted…

January 30, 2025
Opinion
  • divorce
  • family-law
  • separation

What Can You Do If Your Partner Won’t Leave the House After Separation?

You have separated but are still living together, what are your options? Firstly, this is a very difficult situation and we fully understand the stress involved when you want to…

January 2, 2025
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