The UK government has announced pivotal changes to its immigration rules, particularly affecting skilled workers and family visas, set to take effect in spring 2024. These alterations are expected to significantly reshape the UK immigration landscape, impacting individuals and businesses alike. As a leading solicitor’s firm, we provide a detailed analysis of these changes, offering insights into their potential effects. Increased Salary Threshold for Skilled Worker Visas A key change is the rise in the…
As global mobility increases, so do the challenges of international family law. As worldwide travel and technology continue to bridge distances, it is becoming increasingly common for families to have an international dimension. This introduces added intricacies to matters of family law, particularly in cases of divorce and where children are involved. International family law encompasses the legal considerations arising from international family relationships, including divorce, child arrangements and financial matters. Additionally, considerations of international…
Whilst no one ever enters into a marriage expecting to separate or divorce, recent census information tells us that the average length of marriage in the UK is 11.9 years for opposite sex couples with the average age being 43.9 for women and 46.4 for men. That’s around 42% of marriages/civil partnerships breaking down. Why should I draw up a prenuptial agreement? These stats show us that this is a very good reason to draw…
Whilst no one ever enters into a marriage expecting to separate or divorce, recent census information tells us that the average length of marriage in the UK is 11.9 years for opposite sex couples with the average age being 43.9 for women and 46.4 for men. That’s around 42% of marriages/civil partnerships breaking down. Why should I draw up a prenuptial agreement? These stats show us that this is a very good reason to draw…
In this blog we look at the benefits of mediation, the mediation process, its cost-effectiveness, and how it can encourage more positive communication and cooperation during difficult times. Mediation is the process by which families can negotiate, via a neutral third party, on future arrangements for separating couples and their children. The mediator does not instruct parties on what to do but can help them to reach their own agreements more amicably, encouraging positive communication…
Signs of domestic abuse are not always easy to recognise; someone who has experienced, or is experiencing, abuse could show a number of signs that indicate something is very wrong. Domestic abuse is often a hidden crime that is not reported to the police because of fear and/or consequences . Therefore, data held by the police only provides a snap-shot of the true level of domestic abuse experienced. Many cases won’t event enter the criminal…
Divorce is a difficult process to go through; it’s emotionally challenging and even the most civilised of break-ups can take a lot of getting used to. Divorce can be one of the most devastating events to happen in a person’s life outside of illness and death; it can feel like death – you’ve lost someone you loved and you are grieving in your own way. Even if you still see your ex-spouse because you have…
Despite a positive outcome for many, all adoptions are first created through loss; birth parents must part with their child and the child must part with the birth parents. Adoption loss can be caused by a range of factors, including relinquishment of the child by birth parents, removal of the child by child welfare authorities, or a voluntary decision by adoptive parents to end an adoption. In each unique case, the individual may experience a sense…
Right now, you don’t need to do anything. If you have been granted indefinite leave to remain (ILR) since 1 January 2020, you will have received a BRP that has an expiration date of 31 December 2024. This is because the Home Office had planned to introduce BRPs which incorporated next-generation encryption technology from 1 January 2025, to meet EU requirements. Given that the BRPs that were being issued by the Home Office did not…
Most couples get engaged before marriage, but what happens if they don’t make it down the aisle? There are some legal ramifications to consider when breaking off an engagement. Before the Family Law Act 1981 came into effect, the happy announcement of an engagement was considered to be a legally binding contract. If the engagement was called off without any lawful justification, the person responsible for pulling out could be sued for damages for breach…