Alan Kiddle retires
After almost 40 years in practice, Head of Family and Partner Alan Kiddle retired on 30th June 2019. Previously a Partner at another well known law firm, Alan joined DFA in 2000 and was one only four Legal 500 highly…
Disagreements about school holidays?
By Kelly Willmott As the school summer holidays fast approach, it is likely that arrangements are being made for holidays and other plans with the children. In the case of separated parents, however, these plans may depend upon what can…
Pensions on Divorce
By Kelly Willmott Pensions on Divorce – Turning a Blind Eye? When a married couple separates, there will usually be assets and other financial matters that need to be resolved alongside the divorce. When looking at a financial settlement, any…
Domestic Abuse Bill
Draft Domestic Abuse Bill is Published. There is growing evidence that family court proceedings can be used by perpetrators of abuse to try and coerce or manipulate their former partner. Proceedings can provide an opportunity to use the children, or…
‘No fault’ divorce to become law
As you may have seen in the media very recently, 'No fault' divorce is set to become law. Last year we published a blog on the well publicised case of Owens v Owens; highlighting the need for divorce reform. Resolution,…
The World’s Richest Man is to Divorce – But are Pre-Nuptial agreements Only for the Rich?
By Kelly Willmott The media have recently gone into a frenzy as Jeff Bezos announced on Twitter that he is to divorce his Wife, Mackenzie, after 25 years of marriage. Whilst Bezos’ company Amazon was built up during the marriage,…
Civil Partnership and Same Sex Marriage
By Kelly Willmott In a recent and well publicised case, the Supreme Court confirmed that the Civil Partnership Act 2004 is incompatible with the European Convention of Human Rights because civil partnerships are only available to those in same…
Litigants in Person
The courts will assist but not protect litigants in person By Richard Forskitt, Associate Solicitor Since the changes to litigation funding through Legal Aid, and the changes to the Small Claims Court limit in 2013 (limiting the recoverability of the…
What happens to accrued holiday entitlement when a worker reduces the hours they work, but not the days?
Workers are legally entitled to a minimum of 5.6 weeks' paid holiday per annum (28 days). However, what happens if an employee reduces the number of hours they work, part way through a holiday year? As an example, if an…
Stamp Duty Land Tax Changes
By Amy Cornelius Stamp Duty Land Tax: Important changes to timescales for filing returns From 1 March 2019 the period of time to file a Stamp Duty Land Tax (“SDLT”) return, and pay any SDLT due, will reduce from 30…