It is vital that we maintain the public’s faith in the independence of the justice system, says Marilyn Stowe.
Will Gardner is a senior partner at the Chicago law firm Lockhart Gardner. Every week he plays basketball with three judges. His well-known friendships with those members of the judiciary have come under scrutiny from his opponents.
It’s been a beautiful May week here in Harrogate. The spring flowers are blooming, the sky is blue, the sun has even begun to shine and the air is starting to feel warm again. People are also smiling much more freely, enjoying the sunshine and hopeful that the cold and rain has been finally banished and summer is just around the corner. I went for a lovely walk along the Stray - a stretch of parkland that encircles the town centre - today in my lunch hour, and feel great for it.
Lilleyman v Lilleyman was an interesting case, explored in depth in the last post, in which a widow argued that her reasonable needs had not been met in her late husband’s will. Almost the entirety of his estate had been left to his sons from a previous marriage.
This blog receives many queries from people who are left stranded after the death of a family member, particularly a partner or spouse. People generally try to brush off thinking about what would happen if they were to die and their affairs have not been left in order.
In these cash strapped times and having suffered huge recent defeats at the polls, the government seems to be keeping its head down, which is a pity. Recession is a time of opportunity, and I believe those who are prepared to go for growth, rather than simply cutting budgets still tighter, will fight their way through. Its legislative programme as outlined in the recent Queen’s Speech was uninspiring as far as family law is concerned. Yes, for private children disputes the government will try and ensure that, subject to the welfare principle, separated fathers will get more of a look in.
When you instruct a solicitor in your matrimonial case you receive a costs estimate which gives an estimate of likely costs. If the figure mentioned is acceptable and you agree, a retainer letter is signed.
The recent case of Geary v Rankine [2012] EWCA Civ 555 involved a relationship that lasted from 1990 to 2009. The relationship with Mr Rankine began while Mrs Geary was still married. She did not divorce her husband until 2002. Mr Rankine and Mrs Geary had a son together in 1992.
Writing in The Law Gazette this week, Joshua Rozenberg considers Sir Paul Coleridge’s Marriage Foundation. Overall, he comes down strongly in favour of it, stating that he too has been married for some 38 years and has three grandchildren. Above all, Rozenberg feels that he and Sir Paul “see eye to eye on the importance of stable marriages as the building blocks of society.” But he goes one further – noting the implications of the chosen logo of the foundation, the keystone.
Lord Wilson delivered a frank, easy to understand speech last night in London. It was noteworthy because he is the first senior figure in family law to publicly announce the imminent arrival of a new form of financial dispute resolution in family law: arbitration. Arbitration is well-known and well-used to resolve commercial disputes, but so far it has not been applied to family law.
It is a personal story that, on the face of it, has little to do with family law and family life. However my client asked me if I would post it on my blog, because she thinks what I told her may also help people who are frightened of facing the future.
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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