Family

Family Law covers a wide range of issues.

Children (Private)

Children (Private) cases are bought by individuals and are often connected with the parents’ divorce or separation. They may cover parental responsibility, financial applications (eg for maintenance) and agreeing where a child should live, as well as arrangements for seeing the other parent. Private Law also covers parents wishing to move with the child to another country (removal from the jurisdiction), and special guardianship – where a guardian is given legal responsibility but without removing responsibility from the parents.

Children (Public)

Children (Public) cases start in the Family Court. Public law cases are usually brought by the local authority (or another authorised body concerned with children’s welfare), and include care orders (where the local authority takes over parental responsibility), supervision orders (where the local authority has supervision of the child) and emergency protection orders (concerning the immediate safety of a child)

Civil Partnership and Cohabitation

Family Law also covers Civil Partnership and Cohabitation, where a separating couple is not married, and usually involving disputes over shared assets (eg property); and Divorce and Matrimonial Finance where you are legally married and need to agree distribution of assets acquired during (or before) your marriage as well as future financial arrangements for any children.

Injunctions

Family Injunctions can be required as part of cases concerning the areas above, or may be stand-alone.

Many of our barristers are experienced in dealing with all aspects of Family Law, and we have particular expertise in:

  • Adoption
  • Applications under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (Cohabitants)
  • Care Proceedings – representing grandparents and other family members who have interests in the welfare of a child but who are not entitled to Legal Aid
  • Contact and Residence Disputes -child arrangement orders dealing with which parent a child should live with and what time they should spend with each parent
  • Dealing with the financial aspects of divorce arrangements
  • Financial Provision for Children
  • Freezing Injunctions and Urgent Applications
  • Inheritance Act Claims
  • International Child Abduction Applications for leave to remove from the Jurisdiction
  • Occupation and non-molestation orders
  • Paternity Disputes
  • Protection from Harassment Act Proceedings
  • Wardship – where the court takes over responsibility for a child

 

Private Law (Child Arrangements Programme)

If you and the other parent have separated and/or are divorcing, we have a number of barristers who can help and support you throughout proceedings relating to arrangements for your children. Our experienced Family Law team frequently deals with disputes between parents or other family members where contact has broken down, and we can provide … Continue reading →

Civil Partnership & Cohabitation Dispute

Civil partnership and cohabitation disputes cover arguments over ownership or division of property and financial assets where your relationship means that divorce and matrimonial finance law doesn’t apply (eg you were not married). These cases usually fall under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act (TOLATA). It doesn’t make any difference whether you’re … Continue reading →

Divorce and Matrimonial Finance

The Family Finance team at Becket Chambers specialises in matrimonial and family finance. We deal with all aspects of cases whether the assets are modest (ie solely the family home) or high value, involving multiple properties and assets, businesses and overseas property. Our barristers have considerable experience in dealing with injunctions to prevent property or … Continue reading →

Family Injunctions

Members of Becket Chambers’ Family team have extensive experience of dealing with injunctions for all eventualities. Legal Aid If you receive Legal Aid, you cannot use the Direct Public Access scheme and go direct to a barrister for an injunction. You will need to use a solicitor. However, if you don’t want to apply for … Continue reading →

Public Law Children

The Direct to Barrister scheme allows our barristers to work directly with you in Public Law cases where care proceedings are bought and you have an interest in the child’s welfare, but aren’t eligible for Legal Aid. Public Law Children cases are those concerning the ongoing care, placement and possible adoption proceedings for children. We … Continue reading →

The Collaborative Process

When a couple separates, traditionally they will each see their own lawyer for independent legal advice. They will then attempt to resolve matters through their individual lawyers, usually through correspondence (the exchange of letters). Where that fails, families often find themselves asking the family courts to decide on matters affecting their family and/or finances. Working … Continue reading →

Family Articles

Family Testimonials

Holly demonstrated an excellent understanding of my daughter’s complex needs and given the sensitive nature of the hearing, I felt in safe hands represented in family court. She has a methodical and conciliatory approach that enabled the case to move forward with a child contact matter where there had been no progress previously.

Ms N instructing Holly Coates through the Direct Access Scheme – April 2022

Family

Holly Coates

I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to Sophie Gray. She was incredible today and really came through for me and the girls. I will 100% recommend her to anyone who needs her services

Ms T instructing Sophie Gray through the Direct Access Scheme – June 2021

Family

Sophie Gray