Blogs & News

For many expectant mothers, the thought of social services removing their baby at birth is deeply distressing. Unfortunately, for some, it becomes a reality due to concerns about the baby’s welfare. Issues such as domestic violence, substance misuse, mental health struggles, or perceived parenting incapacity can lead local authorities to intervene, sometimes even before the […]

A recent case from 2024 tells us that judges are becoming increasingly intolerant of procedural failings that cause undue delay. With closer attention being paid to how long cases take it is more important than ever that parents have good advice to ensure their case is in good order from the start. There will be […]

It’s been reported that a young mother from Lancashire took her own life after two years of physical and emotional abuse from her partner. This raises the question again – are we doing enough to combat domestic abuse? Louise Barwood gives her view. What happened? Kiera Dawes endured years of physical and emotional abuse perpetrated […]

A Looked After Child review, sometimes called a CLA review, is a meeting that takes place with social services when you have become a child looked after by the local authority. i.e. that you are living in accommodation provided by the local authority. Its purpose is to review the arrangements for a young person in […]

As both a commercial drafter and a commercial litigator, I often advise business owners on preparing terms and conditions for use with their customers, and on how I feel a court will deal with any disputes which may arise. Both are linked. Terms and conditions are typically prepared to ensure there are clear contractual terms […]

There have been recent changes to how post adoption contact is being considered by the family courts. Research has proven, in certain situations, that there are long standing benefits to children who have been adopted having contact with their birth families and having contact promoted with their siblings. The President of the Family Division, Sir […]

It was announced yesterday (Wednesday 13th November 2024) that the retailer, Homebase, is entering administration and that this will place up to 2000 jobs at risk. It is naturally an extremely stressful time for the affected employees in any business in these circumstances, not least in the run-up to Christmas. So what rights do employees have […]

An employment tribunal has awarded former Manchester City footballer, Benjamin Mendy, the majority of his claim for around £11 million in arrears of wages after he submitted a claim for salary that had been withheld from him. In a high-profile criminal case, Mr. Mendy was accused of serious sexual offences against a number of women, […]

Managing partner Alison Lobb warns of the dangers of giving out personal information, and gives advice on rooting out scammers before falling victim to them. Sadly we live in a world where scamming innocent people out of money has become a profession, and everyone, no matter how clever and streetwise we think we are, can […]