This week, we are supporting Resolution’s Good Divorce Week to help spread awareness about the ways parents can embrace a child-focused approach to separation. As part of their campaign, Resolution focus on the disputes that may arise between parties in respect of their children and how these may be resolved.

Elder abuse is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring in any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. WHO further outlines that elder abuse constitutes a violation of human rights which can take the form of physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological/emotional abuse, financial abuse, neglect and serious loss of dignity and respect.

The episode ‘For Richer, For Poorer’ on BBC Sounds aims to cover the vulnerabilities that adults with Dementia may face when entering into a marriage. Datshiane Navanayagam, who regularly reports for BBC and Channel 4, spoke to a number of families who had been the subject of a ‘predatory marriage’.

As the number of same-sex couple families has increased by over 25% in the last 10 years, our Family team has received a growing number of enquiries in respect of who has parental responsibility.

The Legal 500's results for 2022 have been announced and we're extremely proud to have ranked in 9 practice areas (Employment, Corporate & Commercial, Commercial Litigation, Commercial Property, Family, Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate, Contentious Probate, Clinical Negligence and Personal Injury) up one more than last year.

​In order to qualify for legal aid, survivors are required to provide evidence of domestic abuse taking place. This is to ensure that legal aid funding is targeted at those who are most in need. From 1st October 2021, health professionals will no longer be able to charge for providing this evidence in accordance with Section 80 of the Domestic Abuse Act.

From Monday 13th September 2021, divorce applications must be submitted online using MyHMCTS, replacing the paper D8 form. This is being codified through Practice Direction 36X of the Family Procedure Rules.

Helen Thewlis, Head of Family Law at Ramsdens, has featured in the latest edition of Topic UK, where she shares how helping families is a way of life for her.