Rise in Use of PIs in Divorce The use of private investigators to establish adultery has risen, according to Grant Thornton survey of matrimonial lawyers, rise from 25% of cases to nearly half, fall in claims of emotional and physical abuse 24.04.07 Guardian, Divorce
Roman's Cheap Divorce Russian super-magnate Roman Abramovich seems to have paid out as little as £150m to divorce wife Irina, divorce in Russia is quick and anonymous, may have been settled in Roman's private province, Chukotka Telegraph Putin told Abramovich 'clean up your act' over mistress Daria Zhukova 15.03.07 Daily Mail, Abramovich, Divorce
MPs Rebuke Divorce Lawyers Chair of Commons Public Accounts Committee, Edward Leigh, responding to criticisms from the National Audit Office, has called for a crackdown on divorce lawyers going straight to court rather than trying cheaper mediation first 02.03.07 Daily Mail, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Divorce
Toxic Wives, How They Divorce Large divorce awards for short marriages are producing a new 'species' of woman, the Toxic Wife, who turns into an abusive, aggressive, selfish, lazy shrew - from the wedding to the decree nisi 02.03.07 Telegraph, Divorce
Historic Drop in Marriage Lack of financial incentives, fear of costs of divorce and restrictions on marrying partners from outside EU has led to 10% fall in marriage, sharpest since 1915 22.02.07 Daily Mail, Divorce
No Exemption for Gay Adoption Blair confirms there will no exemption to gay rights law for church-run adoption agencies, 20-month transition, MPs will have 'take it or leave it' vote on regulations in full 30.01.07 Times, Adoption, Gay Rights
No Gay Exemption for Churches Cabinet support waning for exemption for Church adoption agencies from Equality Act in placing gay couples BBC Archbishop Vincent Nichols leading Catholic campaign, Anglicans facing schism in Africa over homosexuality Guardian Blair retreats from compromise 25.01.07 Telegraph, Telegraph, Adoption, Equality, Gay Rights
Plans for Reform of Family Ct Sol Gen Harman has announced consultation on opening Family Ct to the media, will affect cases where a local authority takes a child into care, or where parents dispute child contact or residence, safeguards to ensure anonymity and privacy of individuals 12.07.06 Child: Contact Orders, Children in Care, Courts
Miller v Miller Lords uphold Appeal Ct decision, handing 'Harvey Nichols wife' Melissa Miller ã5m settlement after 31 months marriage, less than half Alan Miller's earnings during marriage, less than 6th of his total worth, struck down clause that fault of adultery warranted greater payment, also ruled ã250k a year for Julia McFarlane 'justified' 25.05.06 Guardian, Mace & Jones Solicitors, Divorce, Miller v Miller, Parlour v Parlour
Domestic Violence Govt to put up £2 million for new dedicated domestic violence advisors, will also fund expert advisors for victims of sexual crime in Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) 30.03.06 Home Office, Domestic Violence
Court Fees The Government announced a massive hike in court fees for family cases which will adversely affect low income families and local authorities providing services for vulnerable and deprived children 11.01.06 Law Society Press Release, Child: Residence Orders, Courts
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Trust Funds Will Keep Us Apart Family trust has asked court to decide on eligibility of beneficiaries, Diana Northcott claims her second son David was conceived during affair with Dr John Harvard, who denies claim, David alleges his brother Adrian may be son of his uncle, Vernon 16.05.07 Times, Wills and Probate
Bankruptcy in Divorce Judge Pelling in the High Ct has ordered Strudges Farm to be made available to creditors of David Pearl Haines, already granted to ex-wife Wendy in divorce settlement, opens way for creditors to pursue divorce assets where bankruptcy imminent 11.05.07 Times, Divorce, Insolvency
Mellon v Mellon Banking heir Matthew Mellon is accused of hiring private investigator to go through emails, tap phones of his wife, Jimmy Choo fashion tycoon Tamara Mellon, says her husband was 'like a child in need of a nanny' 04.05.07 Daily Mail, Data Protection, Divorce, Privacy, Private Investigation
PI Hacked Computers, Tapped Phones Active Investigation Services (AIS) had 'lucrative sideline' hacking computers and tapping phone lines, came to light in divorce proceedings between Jimmy Choo founder Tamara Mellon and US bank heir Matthew Mellon 26.04.07 Guardian, Data Protection, Divorce, Privacy
Lords Rule on Property in Cohabitation In Stack v Dowden, landmark case on property rights in cohabitation, Dehra Dowden has won ruling in Lords to right to 65% of value of family home, lived with Brian Stack for 20 years and had four children, greater financial contribution entitled her to greater share of proceeds 26.04.07 Times, Cohabitation, Divorce, Property Law, Stack v Dowden
Man Told He Was Child's Father Stockbroker Mr A was falsely told by his secretary he was father of her child, judge Sir John Blofeld awarded £22k for distress, but rejected repayment of school fees 04.04.07 Guardian, Fathers Rights
