Experience, sensitivity and understanding are key to this area of Forshaws Davies Ridgway expertise – so too is a desire to reach a satisfactory settlement. The Family Law Team offers clients a friendly approach at what can be a very traumatic time.
Modern society is changing, and the traditional image of family life is becoming less commonplace. Such changes, unfortunately, bring with them new problems and disputes, which may require legal intervention.
Always ready to listen, and conscious of the impact on everyone involved, the team provides a responsive, professional service aimed at getting the best possible result.
Clients can also be assured that all solicitors within The Family Law Team adhere to strict guidelines and procedures. Illustrating depth of knowledge and range of expertise available to clients; all solicitors in the family department are accredited members of the Law Society Family Panel, Law Society Children’s Panel and members of Resolution – First For Family Law. Additionally the team has a specialist with Resolution in relation to Children Law and Domestic Abuse.
Forshaws Davies Ridgway is the UK's leading practice in challenging the Child Support Agency when singles parents or non-resident parents have a grievance with decisions or procedures of the CSA.
Whatever the background or circumstances, clients can be confident of a friendly, professional approach at Forshaws Davies Ridgway.
The Civil Partnership Act 2004 came into force on 5th December 2005 and provides for a system of registering civil partnerships and providing remedies, within the law, in the event that the relationship breaks down.
What is a Civil partnership?
The Act creates a new legal relationship of civil partnership, which two people of the same-sex can form by signing a registration document. It also provides same-sex couples who form a civil partnership with parity of treatment in a wide range of legal matters with those opposite-sex couples who enter into a civil marriage.
Important rights and responsibilities will flow from forming a civil partnership, helping same-sex couples to organise their lives together. Provisions in the Act include:
a duty to provide reasonable maintenance for civil partners and any children of the family;
civil partners to be assessed in the same way as spouses for child support;
equitable treatment for the purposes of life assurance;
employment and pension benefits;
recognition under intestacy rules;
access to fatal accidents compensation;
protection from domestic violence; and
recognition for immigration and nationality purposes.
Giving Notice
It is a legal requirement to give notice of intention to register a civil partnership and, once given, notices are publicised by the registration authority for a period of fifteen days.
Please note: the minimum legal age for registering a civil partnership in England and Wales is 16 years of age but written consent may be required for anyone under 18.
Where you can register a civil partnership?
A civil partnership can be registered at a register office or at any venue that has been approved for the registration of civil partnerships. Approved Premises include stately homes and other prestigious buildings, hotels and restaurants.
Dissolution
Dissolution is the term used to describe the termination of a civil partnership. Dissolution is a procedure similar to divorce. To get a dissolution the couple must have been in a civil partnership for more than one year. A form called a ‘Petition’ must be completed, giving the reasons why the couple is applying in order to show the civil partnership is definitely over - i.e. that it has ‘irretrievably broken down’.
If there are children of the family the couple should also complete a form called a 'statement of arrangements' in which they tell the court what plans have been made for the children once the dissolution is final.
Forshaws Davies Ridgway has dealt with claims against the CSA since 1993 and is nationally recognised as being the expert in the field of claims against the Child Support Agency.
Forshaws Davies Ridgway has represented both 'parents with care' and 'non-resident parents' challenging the CSA throughout the UK and has represented parents at the High Court and the European Court of Human Rights.
Forshaws Davies Ridgway have had cases reported in the Times, Daily Mirror, Daily Mail, Observer and numerous other journals as well as being represented at the Family Lawyers Association, Resolution, and the National Committee for Maintenance and Child Support. Forshaws clients have also appeared on the BBC, GMTV, Sky and national and local radio.
With 2 out of 5 marriages in the UK now ending in divorce, people often believe it is a quick and easy process. Before consulting a solicitor it is worth bearing in mind that every case is different based upon its circumstances however the basis for a divorce is that the marriage must have irretrievably broken down.
There must be legitimate legal reason to petition for divorce. Every case must rely upon one fact for divorce – and there are five facts:
Adultery
Unreasonable Behaviour
2 years' separation with consent for divorce from both sides
2 years' desertion
5 years' separation
As each case is different, and can often involve any number of additional legal issues – financial and/or children – Forshaws’ Family Law solicitors are sensitive and understanding to clients’ needs, while being pragmatic as to what they can expect.
We have the skills and experience to discuss and assess client’s individual circumstances. Unreasonable behaviour is open to personal interpretation and it is for this reason that professional advice should be sought. Whatever our client’s circumstances are, the Family Law team is committed to the Code of Practice of the Resolution – First For Family Law Association.
Under the Code of Practice we will advise, negotiate and conduct matters so as to encourage and assist the parties to achieve a constructive settlement, as amicably as possible whilst recognising that both parties need time to come to terms with their own new situation.
Disputes involving children are extremely complex and require a thorough understanding of the Children Act. As such cases can be traumatic for all parties involved it is important that the solicitors are able to maintain a professional yet sensitive approach. Our Family Law team has years’ of specialist experience within this area and are accredited to the Law Society Children Panel.
The Family Law team is often involved in the resolution of disputes over children including contact and residence matters and areas relating to other specific issues. Our Family Law team is accredited to deal with aspects concerning children and social services, on behalf of both the children and the parents.
Not all disputes relating to children arise from a breakdown in marriage. Forshaws Davies Ridgway’s Family Law Team is experienced not only in this area but also issues concerning children where their parents have not married and the impact of this, in particular parental responsibility.