Welcome to our Summer E-News on developments in Family Law which might be of interest to you and/or your clients. But to “begin at home”, we would like to update you on a number of recent developments within the Family team at Ellisons Solicitors:

• New Head of department:
  Jon Armstrong has taken up the reins as Head of Department following the retirement of former Head, Patsy Phillips;
• Resolution specialist:
  Solicitor Lisa Dawson, who is based in Colchester, has just gained accredited specialist status within Resolution, the national organisation of family lawyers committed to non-confrontational divorce, separation and other family problems.
• Clacton capability:
  partner Stuart Connal, who joined the Firm as a result of the October merger with Marshal Legal, is now based in Clacton.

• Introduction of Fixed Fee:
  The team across its office, Colchester, Clacton, Dovercourt and Frinton, has introduced a Fixed Fee divorce (click here for more information), believed to be a first for the Region. (Petitioner - £1,000 including VAT, Respondent - £550).

This was about responding to client needs and that means being able to meet them when and where best suits them. The introduction of Fixed Fees is also significant. Those who qualify for legal aid funding is relatively small but the majority of our clients are concerned about cost and the control of those costs. We believe the Fixed Fee format gives them this reassurance at a time of great emotional upheaval.

Quickie Divorces

Singer and X Factor judge Cheryl Cole recently issued divorce proceedings against her footballer husband Ashley. The media has described this as being a quickie divorce, but what exactly is a quickie divorce?

Click to read more

Supreme Court decision on Pre-Nups eagerly awaited

The decision last year of the Privy Council (which acts as Supreme Court for many Commonwealth countries, and in this case, for the Isle of Man) in McLeod v McLeod appeared to have halted the advance of the Pre-Marital Agreement or “Pre-Nup” in English law. The Privy Council held that changing the law so that such agreements are binding was not for the Courts, it was a matter for Parliament. However, the Court of Appeal then appeared to ignore the decision in McLeod, thereby giving Pre-Nups momentum again.

Click to read more

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