Just before I went on air at This Morning last week, Holly Willoughby – a new mum herself and one of the presenters of the programme – turned to me and said “just what rights do parents have to their children?” It seems like an easy question. But in fact it is far from it, and happens to be one that is leading debate-upon-debate in political, social and legal circles in this country and around the world.
The case of Vicky Haigh has made lurid headlines today. She is the woman publicly named and shamed by Lord Justice Wall, the President of the Family Division, after making “entirely false” and “scandalous” allegations about her former partner.
My recent post about external relocation sparked an interesting debate, and it became clear that there are many readers who have personal experience of this subject – and strong feelings about it.
This question is asked in the latest study published by the Department of Social Policy and Intervention at the University of Oxford. Its authors focus upon research in Australia, where changes to encourage shared care parenting were made in 2006.
When I was two years old, my mother and I relocated from London to Yorkshire. My parents had split up, my mother needed the support of her family in Yorkshire and my father needed to be in London for his job. Thankfully my parents agreed on this arrangement and did not need to go through the courts. I have always maintained a very good relationship with my father. I could not see him every day, but he called every night and I saw him every other weekend.
The TV and radio presenter Gloria Hunniford has published a new book called Glorious Grandparenting. I was delighted to be asked to contribute a detailed section about legal rights for grandparents. …
John Bolch of Family Lore and Judith of Judith’s Divorce Blog have posted irreverent responses to the speech given by Mr Justice Coleridge to the Association of Child Lawyers on Friday. Long-time readers of this blog will recall that I have previously applauded Mr Justice Coleridge for his bold and outspoken views on family breakdown. His latest speech touched on another sensitive and …
I read Marilyn Stowe’s recent post with interest, as I have come across or worked on a number of cases in which one parent wanted to move abroad and the other battled with the idea of being left behind. The remaining parent often struggles to maintain a relationship with their children and any arrangements can become even more difficult if legal wrangling ensues. As you’d expect these types …
Back in September, when Lord Justice Wall gave a speech to Families Need Fathers, his view of separation as a “serious failure of parenting” attracted headlines. I would like to draw …
A split hearing can be summarised as a hearing divided into two parts. During the first part the court makes findings of fact on issues identified by the parties or the court. During the second part …
On Saturday afternoon I found myself in the menswear department of Marks & Spencer having a joke with the sales assistant. I asked her to put the till receipt in the bag because the goods I had bought that she was carefully wrapping would be …
A survey of children’s experiences of divorce was published today. The Children Act 1989, which transformed the face of family law for children, is 20 years old today. So how have children’s …
Many grandparents are surprised to discover that they do not have automatic rights of residence or contact with their grandchildren. But could their rights be about to improve? This week it is my turn not to criticise, but to praise the Conservative Party. Newspapers have reported that the Conservatives, if they win the next election, intend to give new, improved legal rights to millions of …
Back to basics: how I think we can help our stretched courts
Why I think grandparents’ legal rights are fit for purpose by guest blogger David Milburn
Q&A on finances and divorce with Marilyn Stowe – Wednesday February 8th
HuffPost Divorce: The Top 10 Stereotypical Marriage Wreckers
Holocaust Memorial Day: why we must all protect our culture of tolerance
Marilyn Stowe is the Senior Partner at Stowe Family Law LLP. Stowe Family Law LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. SRA ref 469401. Stowe Family Law LLP is registered with Companies House, ref. 331570, and registered for VAT, number 918 5722 04. A list of members is available for inspection at our Harrogate office.
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