Season’s greetings & a year in review

As the end of 2022 approaches, we want to say thank you to our clients, contacts, colleagues, families and friends for their support over the last 12 months.

A warning to those who don’t provide full financial disclosure

A final order in financial remedy proceedings usually dismisses all future capital and income claims that a spouse has against the other. However, in the recent High Court case of X v Y [2022] EWFC 95, His Honour Judge Hess made an order adjourning the wife’s capital claims for 10 years because of the husband’s dishonest disclosure in the proceedings […]

Court is essential, but it’s not for everyone

Sir Andrew McFarlane, head of the family courts in England and Wales has reportedly said that divorcing couples too often believe their issues are ‘legal’ ones, when in fact they are ‘relationship’ issues that could be resolved without the court’s involvement […]

When actions speak louder than words

Depp v Heard. Vardy v Rooney. The media frenzy around these very public court cases may have died down, but the impressions formed of those involved will last a lifetime. As spectators, we follow the ups and downs of these trials, picking up titbits in the press or becoming drawn into watching hours of live footage […]

Making divorce better

Divorce is difficult, on so many levels. But, as lawyers who help families untie bonds and reshape their future, we see the opportunity it brings for people to move on, equipped for the next phase in their lives.
One common myth we’re always keen to dispel is that divorce will be an entirely negative and hostile experience. The truth is that it doesn’t have to be […]

Season’s greetings & a year in review

As the end of 2021 approaches, we want to say thank you to our clients, contacts, colleagues, families and friends for their support over the last 12 months. It’s been another challenging year as the pandemic continues to run its course, but we want to share some of the positive news and exciting innovations which […]

Parenting through separation

As a team of Family lawyers, we’ve long promoted the idea of ‘good divorce’. This is about enabling separated couples to work through the necessary steps – division of assets, arrangements for their children – together and with as little conflict as possible. Because collaborating to reach joint decisions, as opposed to having the courts […]

‘No fault’ divorce – what does it mean and what are potential pitfalls of the new divorce procedure?

From 6 April 2022 the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 will come into force – introducing the so called ‘no fault divorce’ in England and Wales. The new law will apply to Civil Partnerships as well as to marriages. However, to simplify this piece, I will refer to no fault in the context of […]

Parenting through separation – a free guide to families who are divorcing or separating

Resolution, the national family justice organisation, is offering a free guide to families who are divorcing or separating. The parenting through separation guide is written by family professionals and is full of practical steps that parents can take to put their children first during a separation. The launch of the guide marks the start of […]

Why there’s no room for blame or shame in divorce

When Adele released the first single from her ‘divorce album’ a few weeks ago, it came with all the hype and hysteria to be expected when a megastar comes back on the scene after six years. ‘Easy on me’, a song about leaving a marriage, not only appealed to her long-term fans but also no […]

Common law marriage is a myth

Common law marriage is a myth. Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as common law marriage in England and Wales. The law for separating unmarried couples is completely different to those who are married or who are in a civil partnership. Upon divorce, the court uses use the statutory factors in section […]

Thomas Mansfield Family team recognised as leading law firm by The Legal 500

Thomas Mansfield Solicitors’ family team has broken into The Legal 500, a leading legal directory which analyses and ranks law firms across the UK on the quality of their expertise, client service and standing in the market. The achievement comes as the team, led by Susi Gillespie, continues to grow rapidly, adding headcount and increasing […]

Thomas Mansfield Solicitors strengthens Family law practice with double hire

Specialist law firm Thomas Mansfield Solicitors has strengthened its Family law practice amid increasing demand for its services. The firm has welcomed lawyers Amelia Montgomery from a London based firm Woodfords Solicitors LLP, and Martina D’Avino from Tier 1 Legal 500 regional firm Tees Law. Amelia and Martina advise on all aspects of family law […]

Family Court quarterly statistics: a call for alternatives to courts

The family team has featured in the Solicitors Journal reiterating the advantages of the alternatives to courts, following the release of the Family Court quarterly statistics. As mediation specialists we advocate for out-of-court solutions as much as possible, and especially in cases where children are involved. In our article, we point out multiple benefits of […]