Money tensions, unrealistic expectations and excessive alcohol consumption make Christmas a peak period for domestic abuse.
Full story: The Guardian
Warring parents ‘in denial’ about effects of divorce on children
Netmums survey of divorced parents and their children shows effects on children more severe than adults realise.
Full story: The Telegraph
Full story: The Telegraph
Label:
News
Domestic violence set to be targeted by tough new law
Offenders could be jailed for up to 14 years if US-style legislation is voted through by MPs.
Full story: The Observer
Full story: The Observer
Label:
News
Home visits stopped for patient with violent father
A High Court judge has ruled that a 20-year-old man with “profound disabilities” cannot be allowed home visits after carers raised concerns about his parents' behaviour.
Full story: The Independent
Full story: The Independent
Label:
News
Adoption: £50 million funding boost and new interactive maps
Children’s Minister Edward Timpson announces new resources to help would-be adopters find a child to adopt - plus more cash for councils.
Full story: Department for Education
Full story: Department for Education
Label:
News
High Court judge says warring parents cause 'untold damage' to children
Mrs Justice Parker reverses living arrangements of three brothers after hearing of 'parental manipulation'.
Full story: The Telegraph
Full story: The Telegraph
Label:
News
Transfer of Mr Justice Charles from the Family Division to the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court and appointment as the Vice-President of the Court of Protection
The Lord Chief Justice, following consultation with the Lord Chancellor, will transfer Mr Justice Charles from the Family Division of the High Court to the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court with effect from 13 January 2014, and appoint him as Vice-President of the Court of Protection, for a three-year term, from the same date.
Full story: Judiciary of England and Wales
Full story: Judiciary of England and Wales
Label:
News
Domestic abuse: half a million victims 'too terrified to come forward'
Study uncovers hidden casualties of violence, many of them too scared to report the crime.
Full story: The Observer
Full story: The Observer
Label:
News
BAAF rated ‘outstanding’ in recent Ofsted inspection
The British Association for Adoption and Fostering has been rated as 'outstanding' once again by Ofsted in its recent inspection.
Full story: Family Law Week
Full story: Family Law Week
Label:
News
The Family Procedure (Amendment No.3) Rules 2013
These Rules amend the Family Procedure Rules 2010. The majority of the amendments made to the FPR 2010 by these Rules are made to reflect the creation of the family court.
Statutory Instrument
Statutory Instrument
Label:
Statutory Instruments
Court statistics (quarterly) July to September 2013
This bulletin presents National Statistics on activity in the county, family, magistrates’ and Crown courts of England and Wales.
Full story: Ministry of Justice
Full story: Ministry of Justice
Label:
News
Child protection head leaves Devon County Council
The head of children and adult protection at Devon County Council has left his £95,000 job.
Full story: BBC News
Full story: BBC News
Label:
News
Divorced wife 'cheated out of millions after husband failed to reveal assets’
A divorced wife claims her ex-husband misled her about the value of his computer software business to cheat her out of a multi-million-pound settlement.
Full story: The Telegraph
Full story: The Telegraph
Label:
News
Child abuse investigations have risen by 42% over past three years
In 2012/13 there were 127,000 investigations launched across the country into children thought to be at risk of child abuse or neglect. This is a 42% increase in investigations since 2009/10, according to figures revealed by Sky News.
Full story: Family Law
Full story: Family Law
Label:
News
C-section case shows need for radical changes on transparency: Munby
The high-profile case involving an enforced Caesarean section stands as a “final, stark and irrefutable demonstration” of the pressing need for radical changes in the way in which both the family courts and the Court of Protection approach transparency, the President of the Family Division has said.
Full story: Local Government Lawyer
Full story: Local Government Lawyer
Label:
News
Judge Sir Paul Coleridge disciplined for stating views on traditional marriage
Official body with responsibility for judicial conduct hands outspoken High Court judge a formal warning.
Full story: The Telegraph
Full story: The Telegraph
Label:
News
Domestic violence victims' personal details should stay secret, says Labour
Adoption of 'Eve's law' would exempt victims of domestic abuse from disclosing their personal details in public.
Full story: The Guardian
Full story: The Guardian
Label:
News
MASH having a positive impact on child protection in London
The turnaround time for child protection cases judged as high or complex needs has almost halved in some areas since the London multi-agency safeguarding hub (MASH) programme began in 2011, according to a new academic report from the University of Greenwich.
Full story: London Councils
Full story: London Councils
Label:
News
English courts still top the league for generous divorce payouts
English courts have more flexibility in granting settlements than courts in most other countries, leading to higher awards.
Full story: The Telegraph
Full story: The Telegraph
Label:
News
Serious case reviews ‘politically abused’ since death of Baby P, claims expert
Safeguarding expert claims serious case review authors face ministerial disapproval if they don't criticise the local authority.
Full story: Community Care
Full story: Community Care
Label:
News
No less than 'good' for children's homes demands Ofsted
Ofsted has published proposals for a new framework to improve standards in children's homes and drive up quality for the country's most vulnerable children.
Full story: Family Law Week
Full story: Family Law Week
Label:
News
Women behaving badly: cuckolded and downtrodden husbands filling divorce courts
A new analysis of official divorce figures, dating back 40 years, shows a dramatic rise in the number of separations in which “unreasonable behaviour” by women has been recognised by the courts as the main cause.
Full story: The Telegraph
Full story: The Telegraph
Label:
News
Divorcing couples regret the impact on children but don’t tend to seek help, survey finds
Divorced couples significantly regret the impact that their split had on their children but tend not to seek help with their relationship, according to a survey conducted by Seddons in conjunction with The Marriage Foundation.
Full story: Family Law Week
Full story: Family Law Week
Label:
News
Birmingham reforms children's services after damning reports
Council damned over Keanu Williams case will invest extra £9m as part of 'radical' strategy, but admits service for vulnerable children still not consistent.
Full story: The Guardian
Full story: The Guardian
Label:
News
Attainment gap between looked after children and others narrows slightly but remains large
Statistics on outcomes for children looked after by local authorities in England, released by the Department for Education, show that the attainment gap between such children and their peer group is diminishing but is still great.
Full story: Family Law Week
Full story: Family Law Week
Label:
News
New FCO figures show parental child abduction cases on the rise
The number of parental child abduction and custody cases has more than doubled over the last decade, with almost two children being abducted abroad each day, according to new figures released today by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and charity, Reunite.
Full story: Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Full story: Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Label:
News
Pregnant woman with 'very severe' mental health problems could be forced to have Caesarean
A pregnant woman with “very severe” mental health problems could be forcibly sedated and have her baby delivered via Caesarean section against her will if the need arose, a High Court Judge has ruled.
Full story: The Independent
Full story: The Independent
Label:
News
Marriages can be performed at Scientologists’ churches, decides Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has decided that Scientology is a religion and since the church of the Church of Scientology was a "place of meeting for religious worship", then it could be registered for the solemnisation of marriages under the Marriage Act 1949.
Full story: Family Law Week
Full story: Family Law Week
Label:
News
Cafcass private law demand
In November 2013, Cafcass received a total of 3,524 new private law cases. This is a 15% decrease on November 2012 levels.
Full story: Cafcass
Full story: Cafcass
Label:
News
Care applications in November 2013
In November 2013, Cafcass received a total of 816 applications. This figure represents a 15% decrease compared to those received in November 2012.
Full story: Cafcass
Full story: Cafcass
Label:
News
Government u-turn on plans to remove councils from adoption recruitment process
'Common sense' amendment to the children and families bill has been hailed a triumph by local authorities.
Full story: Community Care
Full story: Community Care
Label:
News
New cuts to experts’ fees compromises care cases
New cuts to the civil legal aid remuneration rates that came into force on 2 December 2013 are deterring a significant number of professionals from acting as expert witnesses in the family courts.
Full story: Family Law
Full story: Family Law
Label:
News
Same-sex weddings to begin in March
The first same-sex weddings can take place from 29 March 2014, equalities minister Maria Miller says.
Full story: BBC News
Full story: BBC News
Label:
News
Top reasons high cost family cases are rejected
The Ministry of Justice has analysed the top reasons why high cost family case plans are being rejected.
Full story: Family Law
Full story: Family Law
Label:
News
Care proceedings run 14 weeks beyond target
The average length of care proceedings is still 14 weeks over a new target due to be introduced in April, latest figures show.
Full story: Children & Young People Now
Full story: Children & Young People Now
Label:
News
Adoption agency advertises children in local newspapers
Some have criticised the Adoptionplus campaign saying youngsters should not be advertised like an unwanted animal or second hand sofa.
Full story: The Telegraph
Full story: The Telegraph
Label:
News
Father refused access to daughter despite 82 court orders
A father, described as "unimpeachable" by judges has told of his 12 year battle to see his teenage daughter, where he has been refused access despite 82 court orders allowing him to see her.
Full story: The Telegraph
Full story: The Telegraph
Label:
News
MoJ to tackle fall in mediation referrals
The Ministry of Justice has sought to bolster its mediation strategy in the face of a dramatic fall in referrals in the past six months.
Full story: Law Society Gazette
Full story: Law Society Gazette
Label:
News
Couples should not have children until they are ready to marry, says High Court judge
A senior High Court judge has argued that couples should not have children until they are ready to wed.
Full story: The Independent
Full story: The Independent
Label:
News
Ten new projects help thousands of separated couples co-operate on parenting
Projects to help separated couples resolve grievances and agree financial and parenting arrangements in their children's best interests.
Full story: Department for Work & Pensions
Full story: Department for Work & Pensions
Label:
News
Children and young people’s mental health neglected by local authorities
‘Overlooked and Forgotten’ report reveals failure to address mental health needs of under-18s.
Full story: Family Law Week
Full story: Family Law Week
Label:
News
Non-means tested legal aid restored for patients detained under Mental Capacity Act 2005
In the Court of Protection cases of UF v A Local Authority & Ors, the Ministry of Justice and Legal Aid Agency have effectively restored non-means tested legal aid in s21A MCA cases.
Full story: Family Law Week
Full story: Family Law Week
Label:
News
Children face three-year wait for care case decisions
Dozens of care proceedings cases initiated more than three years ago remain unresolved leaving vulnerable children with uncertain futures.
Full story: Children & Young People Now
Full story: Children & Young People Now
Label:
News
Teach married couples about monogamy for sake of the children, says High Court judge
Married couples should be sent to classes promoting monogamy to help spare children lifelong scars from family breakdown, according to the High Court Judge Sir Paul Coleridge.
Full story: The Telegraph
Full story: The Telegraph
Label:
News
Autumn Statement 2013: Marriage tax break 'will help poorest families’
More than four million married couples will be given tax breaks worth up to £200 a year.
Full story: The Telegraph
Full story: The Telegraph
Label:
News
High Court judge orders life-saving bone marrow transplant to go ahead for three-year-old boy against father's will
A three-year-old boy whose father tried to prevent him receiving life-saving hospital treatment will have a bone marrow transplant on Thursday following an emergency ruling by a High Court judge.
Full story: The Independent
Full story: The Independent
Label:
News
Judge rules that man in vegetative state should not be resuscitated if his condition deteriorates
The 78-year-old man's son said his family were 'trying to hang on to him' while giving evidence via video link.
Full story: The Independent
Full story: The Independent
Label:
News
Civil courts to turn a profit under fee reforms
Wealthy litigants will have to stump up higher fees under government proposals to help put the civil courts on a ‘solid financial footing’.
Full story: Law Society Gazette
Full story: Law Society Gazette
Label:
News
Supreme Court orders return of son to Texas in KL (A Child)
Court exercises inherent jurisdiction to return child with UK habitual residence.
Full story: Family Law Week
Full story: Family Law Week
Label:
News
First national picture of foster carer recruitment published
A new report by the Fostering Network has, for the first time, provided a picture of foster carer recruitment across English local authorities.
Full story: Family Law Week
Full story: Family Law Week
Label:
News
Foster children may stay with carers until age 21
Children in care in England will be able to stay with their foster families until their 21st birthday, rather than having to leave at 18, ministers say.
Full story: BBC News
Full story: BBC News
Label:
News
Support for vulnerable women and taxpayers in court fees changes
People taking high value cases through civil courts in England and Wales will be expected to pay much more towards their running costs, Courts Minister Shailesh Vara has announced - while the fees for domestic violence injunctions will be scrapped.
Full story: Ministry of Justice
Full story: Ministry of Justice
Label:
News
Essex County Council responds to C-section care case
Essex County Council has responded to the media reports concerning the delivery, without the mother's consent, of a baby by caesarean section and the child's removal into care of the local authority.
Full story: Family Law Week
Full story: Family Law Week
Label:
News
Only half of public express confidence in the family courts on children matters
A survey examining public attitudes to the courts and, principally, court fees suggests that only half of those asked have confidence in certain aspects of the family courts.
Full story: Family Law Week
Full story: Family Law Week
Label:
News
Doncaster fears delay in children's trust timeframe
Plans to create an independent trust to run child protection services in Doncaster are at risk of delay, the authority has warned.
Full story: Children & Young People Now
Full story: Children & Young People Now
Label:
News
Domestic violence services 'at breaking point'
Services to help female victims of domestic violence are at "breaking point" because of "shocking gaps" in funding, Women's Aid has warned.
Full story: BBC News
Full story: BBC News
Label:
News
Child protection system is 'beyond breaking point'
The child protection system is "beyond breaking point" and social workers are facing increasing pressure, a report by MPs said.
Full story: ITV News
Full story: ITV News
Label:
News
Doncaster review team to assess future of Birmingham’s troubled children’s services
The government has ended speculation about the immediate future of Birmingham council’s children’s services, announcing a review of the troubled department.
Full story: Community Care
Full story: Community Care
Label:
News
Safeguarding board defends Hamzah Khan review
Bradford Safeguarding Children Board has defended its serious case review into the death of four-year-old Hamzah Khan.
Full story: Community Care
Full story: Community Care
Label:
News
Expert witness fee cut could 'hinder' family court judges
Children’s lawyers and social work bodies have raised concerns that it will be harder to find expert witnesses to give evidence in care cases due to a cut in fees paid to them through the legal aid system.
Full story: Children & Young People Now
Full story: Children & Young People Now
Label:
News
Autumn Statement 2013: Married couples 'no better off' after tax break
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales is raising doubts about the effectiveness of David Cameron's £700 million plan to cut taxes for married couples.
Full story: The Telegraph
Full story: The Telegraph
Label:
News
Beneficiaries of offshore trusts ordered to disclose documents
In Tchenguiz-Imerman v Imerman [2013] EWHC 3627 (Fam) Mr Justice Moylan has given a judgment explaining his order in financial remedy proceedings for disclosure by beneficiaries of offshore discretionary trusts who had been joined as parties.
Full story: Family Law Week
Full story: Family Law Week
Label:
News
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