The Law Society, Bar Council and Chartered Institute of Legal Executives have jointly published comprehensive guidelines for all lawyers dealing with cases in which the other side is self-representing. This is in response to the sharp increase in the number of litigants in person who...
Read MorePlease find attached a copy of His Honour Judge Bellamy's latest Newsletter. This newsletter addresses mediation in the family courts. The newsletter contains some very helpful contributions from local mediators and practitioners. Furthermore, the newsletter raises awareness of the mediation services available locally for the benefit of children...
Read MoreThe case of Re BR (Proof of Facts) [2015] EWFC 41 follows a fact-finding hearing held in private concerning a baby who sustained a very large number of fractures. The specific details of the fact-finding hearing do not form part of this judgment, nevertheless, the Honourable...
Read MoreCongratulations to Alistair MacDonald QC on his recent appointment as a High Court Judge. He will be assigned to the Family Division of the High Court. He will take up his new role as Mr Justice MacDonald in the Royal Courts of Justice from 4th June...
Read MoreThe judgment of the Court of Appeal in the matter of Re K and H (Children) [2015] EWCA Civ 543 is the appeal following the first instance decision of the DFJ HHJ Bellamy, sitting as a Deputy High Court Judge in January 2015. The background to the...
Read MoreThe case of Critchell v Critchell [2015] EWCA Civ 436 is a decision of the Court of Appeal in financial remedy proceedings. The background to the appeal involves financial proceedings, which settled at first instance at the Financial Dispute Resolution hearing and involved modest assets. However, the...
Read MoreThe case of N (A Child: Interim Care Order: Interim Removal) [2015] EWFC (15 May 2015) is a recent judgment of HHJ Bellamy. The case provides an analysis of whether the relevant child's safety required interim removal from their parents' care pursuant to an interim care order....
Read MoreMr Justice Keehan - Midlands Family Division Liaison Judge - issued on Friday 15th May 2015 the attached Practice Note to the local judiciary. The note serves as a timely reminder as to the importance of instructing experts in family proceedings only when necessary to resolve the...
Read MoreRe: J – Court of Appeal endorses the President’s judgment in Re: A (also known as the ‘A tottering edifice built on inadequate foundations’ judgment) The judgment in Re J (A Child) [2015] EWCA Civ 222 is noteworthy in that the Court of Appeal gives a...
Read MorePlease find attached the Updated Guidance on the Role of the Attorney General in Appointing Advocates to the Court or Special Advocates in Family Cases. The Guidance has been issued by the President of the Family Division and updates the guidance circulated by Mr Justice Holman, when he...
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