When children are abducted by a parent – a scourge, an unspeakable cruelty and a matter of public interest

by Lucy R | Apr 17, 2019 | Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch, Legal bloggers pilot, Notorious

Since yesterday the news has been full of reports about a Ukrainian ‘Billionaire, Sergiy Tigipko, investigated over abduction of [his] UK grandchildren’ (See the BBC. Also, for example, Businessman reveals fight to bring daughters back to UK after ex-wife...

Giving hope to all concierges who date cosmetics heiresses*

by Polly Morgan | Apr 11, 2019 | Analysis, Cases, Comment, Explanation

Giving hope to all concierges who date cosmetics heiresses,* The Times tells us that ‘Concierge who wed Avon heiress wins £1.3 million despite pre-nup deal’.  Ipekçi v McConnell is a case between  – yes, you’ve guessed it – a hotel concierge,...

CS v SBH: a child’s competence to appoint her own lawyer

by Paul M | Mar 30, 2019 | Analysis, Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

This case concerned the question whether, on an appeal, a child was entitled to choose and be represented by a solicitor of her own choice, instead of the solicitor already instructed by the court-appointed guardian. At the time of the appeal the child was almost 13...

Court of Appeal decision about orders for post-adoption contact

by reporting watch team | Mar 9, 2019 | Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

Re B (A Child) (Post-adoption contact) [2019] EWCA Civ 29 is the first time (since a change in the law in 2014) that the Court of Appeal has considered when an order should be made that an adopted child will have continuing contact with their birth family after he or...

Coronation Street Child Abortion Storyline: What is the law?

by Emma Nottingham | Feb 25, 2019 | Explanation, FCReportingWatch

What is the law? Last week on Coronation Street, 14-year-old Amy Barlow had an abortion. In line with the current law in England and Wales, she was able to do so without her parents consent. The story caught media attention after twitter users appeared surprised by...

BC v BG – Challenging arbitration awards in divorce cases

by Paul M | Feb 19, 2019 | Analysis, Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

Divorcing couples who cannot agree how to divide their property can, as an alternative to costly and time consuming litigation, refer the matter to an arbitrator. But if one of them isn’t happy about the outcome, the matter could still end up in court. The recent case...