July's family law newsletter out now

Welcome to the 3PB family law newsletter

Our fifth family law group newsletter brings you a wealth of 3PB family news including Liz McGrath QC's experience of the last 18 months, heavily marked by Covid 19.

We bring you a round up of our March, April and June family law brunch talks with links to our presentations, notes and videos. Our hosts over the time period were Emma Griffiths and Aimee Fox; Liz Hudson and Theresa Lim and Hamish Dunlop and Gemma Chapman.

Michael George, Luke Nelson, Ségolène Lapeyre, Hugh-Guy Lorriman and

Jennifer Kotilaine provide this quarter's case and legal analyses.

You are invited to pre-register for our next family law brunch webinar to be hosted by Nicola Frost and Samantha Moore on 30 September.

We hope you enjoy reading our newsletter and please do contact our clerking team if we can help with further information or enquiries.

Family law in lockdown – Tales from a parallel universe

Liz McGrath QC reflects on her experience of the last 18 months, living and working in a brave new world defined by Covid 19, in which courtroom appearances, consultations and advocates' meetings suddenly became dependent on the whims of our internet connections.

Poonam Bhari appointed to the Family Procedure Rule Committee 

3PB congratulates family law barrister Poonam Bhari on her appointment by The Lord Chancellor to the Family Procedure Rule Committee (FPRC). The FPRC was established under Section 77 of the Courts Act 2003 to make family procedure rules. It aims to make clear, easily understandable rules to create an accessible, fair and efficient family justice system.

Amy Beddis a guest speaker about costs in financial remedy proceedings

3PB’s specialist family finance barrister, Amy Beddis has recorded a webinar on costs in financial remedy proceedings for MBL (Management, Business, Law).

In this recorded webinar, Amy outlines the new cost provisions in the Family Procedural Rules and discusses the issue of costs within financial remedy proceedings.

Matiss Krumins shortlisted for “Barrister of the Year”

Congratulations to family barrister Matiss Krumins who has been shortlisted in the "Barrister of the Year" category by the Worcestershire Law Society Awards, having received a record number of ria hhugh nominations.

The awards will take place on 10th September at Grafton Manor in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.

3PB Family takes on two new junior tenants

Midlands family barrister Ria Herbert (call 2017) and recent 3PB family law pupil Sam Pentony (call 2019) have both joined 3PB’s 70-strong family law team.

Both barristers are primarily located in the Birmingham offices of 3PB in the landmark Colmore Buildings in the city centre.

Louise Worton delivers an insight into TOLATA matters for YRes Oxfordshire

3PB’s specialist property and family law barrister Louise Worton delivered a webinar on TOLATA issues to young family lawyers group YRes in Oxfordshire, providing members with an insight into TOLATA applications. The presentation included a detailed overview of the types of trusts, provisions of the Act, procedure and costs involved. Louise advised the group: ''Don’t be afraid! BUT do be conscious that TOLATA claims are different from family proceedings, be alive to the fact that different rules apply and use counsel or other specialists in your own team early in the process''.

3PB family law barrister Antonida Kocharova stars in Opera production

3PB family law barrister Antonida Kocharova has produced a filmed production of César Cui's A Feast in Time of Plague with The Oxford Opera Society. The one-hour film, in which Antonida also performs, is deeply relevant to the experiences we have all been through over the last year. The film is available online for two months here.  Bravo Antonida!

We all need a G v T

3PB family finance specialist Michael George provides a briefing note on G v T [2020] EWHC 1613 in which he explores the topic of business valuations and provides an up-to-date approach to run off.

View Michael's profile here

TOLATA: a brief guide to issuing proceedings

In this article, family practitioner Luke Nelson provides an overview of the procedural elements of starting a standalone TOLATA claim together with some useful practical advice for this stage.

 View Luke's profile here

The recognition of French PACS under the amended Civil Partnership Act 2004

Ségolène Lapeyre and Hugh-Guy Lorriman have co-authored an article for Rayden Solicitors’ Anglo-French blog on the recognition of French PACS under the amended Civil Partnership Act 2004. The article highlights the significance of including opposite-sex couples in the definition of “civil partnership”, brought about by the Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) Regulations 2019, on the recognition of one type of “overseas relationship": the French pacte civil de solidarité (PACS).

When is a final order not the last word?

Jennifer Kotilaine considers the recent case of Re M [2021] (Special Guardianship Order: Leave to apply to discharge) EWCA Civ 442, in which she is acting, and the clarification it brings to the test for permission to apply to discharge SGOs.

 View Jennifer's profile here

'Re HN: Scott's demise?' and 'Covert recordings in family proceedings’ 

Emma Griffiths and Aimee Fox hosted our June family law brunch, focusing on these important topics.

View Emma's profile here

View Aimee's profile here

'Special Guardianship Orders' and 'Challenging capacity assessments'

Elisabeth Hudson and Theresa Lim provided an update on these two topics during our April Family Law brunch.

View Elisabeth's profile here

View Theresa's profile here

'Financial remedy claims in COVID and Brexit times' and 'Preserving the evidence: a public law update.'

Family finance specialist Hamish Dunlop and children law barrister Gemma Chapman hosted our March family law brunch.

View Hamish's profile here

View Gemma's profile here

30 September Family Law Brunch

Nicola Frost and Samantha Moore will host our next family law brunch via Zoom on Thursday 30 September at 11am.

Nicola will present ‘Pre-nups: can you have your wedding cake and eat it?’.

Please click the link to pre-register for this event.

Meet the team

3PB’s family group advises and represents clients on financial provision (divorce, cohabitation and death), child arrangements orders, property disputes, childcare / adoption, judicial review, professional negligence, regulatory matters, incapacity / Court of Protection welfare issues, international children’s issues and human rights.