Neglect is when a caregiver fails to meet a child’s basic physical and psychological needs. Neglect can have severe and lasting consequences, potentially leading to serious harm or even death.

Domestic abuse covers a range of types of abuse, including, but not limited to, physical, psychological, sexual, financial and emotional abuse. It is defined as any incident of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members.

Where there are finances to be resolved, it is advisable to obtain a Financial Order to record how the matrimonial finances are to be distributed. The first step to address the finances will be for both parties to complete and exchange their full and frank financial disclosure. People are increasingly treating crypto assets as a hobby or an investment opportunity and, however big or small your current holding, it must be disclosed.

The Family Court is under immense pressure. The number of court applications, including issues relating to finances on divorce or separation of an unmarried couple and arrangements for children are rising each year. Cases are taking longer to conclude and very often experiencing delays in listing hearings and, as is happening more frequently, hearings are being moved or even cancelled at short notice due to judicial unavailability.

Family Mediation Week 2024 will take place between the 22nd and 26th of January 2024. The campaign, organised by the Family Mediation Council, aims to raise awareness of the benefits of engaging with the mediation service.

January has become known as 'Divorce Month' in the media, thanks to a reported increase in enquiries relating to divorce and separation during the month.

Many families are now well underway or have already agreed arrangements for their children over the festive period. However, what should be a joyful and child focused time can become fraught, particularly when family members are unable to agree arrangements for their children.

With high mortgage interest rates affecting affordability, it is no surprise that more and more couples are buying a house together in a bid to get themselves on to the property ladder.

Cohabiting couples are now the fastest growing family type in the UK, but the law doesn’t recognise these families in the same way as married couple or civil partners.

Anyone can suffer domestic abuse regardless of age, sex, race, ethic or religious group. The 25th November 2023 marks the beginning of an initiative across the world calling for additional funding to help prevent violence against women.

Today is Universal Children's Day, otherwise known as ‘World Children's Day.’ It is also UNICEF's day of action to stand up for the rights of children worldwide and on this day 34 years ago the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) was adopted.

The term ‘custody’ is a very outdated legal term and is no longer used to describe the care arrangements for a child.