The traditional model of mediation where a Mediator meets with both parties in the same room to discuss issues has been challenged by the ongoing lockdown and in the future social distancing may continue to limit a return to the mediation room. However, Mediators are conscious that lockdown may well present new stresses in any family breakdown and having the option to discuss these issues...
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(updated 3rd April 2020) Our offices Q. Is your office at Avon House, 4 Bridge Street, Christchurch, Dorset open? A. In line with government guidance our offices are currently closed until further notice and many of our staff our working remotely to enable us to continue to provide our service to you. We are now dealing with our clients by telephone, email and video call. Meetings Q....
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The Government has published advice on home moving during the coronavirus outbreak. Click here to view the latest advice
In order to keep our staff and clients safe we are stopping all face to face meetings with clients and closing our reception at our Bridge Street office from today (24th March 2020) until further notice. Rest assured that we have a robust business continuity plan in place which will enable us to continue to provide a level of service to our clients over the...
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The health and wellbeing of our staff, clients and suppliers is of utmost importance to us. In order to keep our staff and clients safe we are now offering our services by telephone and video calls, as appropriate. Face-to-face meetings will take place only in essential circumstances, as directed by your solicitor. However, it is business as usual and we are more than happy to...
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On 27 February 2020 the House of Commons Library published a Briefing Paper entitled: Children parental alienation and the role of Cafcass (England). The issue of parental alienation has come to the fore in recent years, with more parliamentary questions than ever before being raised on the issue of parental alienation and the impact that it can have on children and how the Family Courts...
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The New Year isn’t always a happy time. January often sees a significant rise in the number of couples considering divorce. In fact, the first working day of the year (this year it was the 6th January) has become known as ‘Divorce Day’ due to the number of enquiries received by organisations like Amicable and Relate and by family law firms like ours. The Christmas...
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Making a Will is an important responsibility that ensures your loved ones are left with helpful and practical guidance. It puts you firmly in control of who benefits as well as what they are entitled to. However, poorly written Wills may be invalid or can result in the Will being disputed. Here are our tips on how to avoid Will disputes: What is a Will...
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Cohabitation is becoming more commonplace in today’s society. Of the 326,117 households in Dorset, nearly 10% are living together but are not married. This raises an important question – what are the rights for cohabiting couples? Below, our Family Law solicitors highlight the current laws for unmarried couples and what Williams Thompson is doing to reform these laws. Why are Williams Thompson campaigning for reform?...
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As some of you know, divorce laws in the UK are set for a major change, allowing couples to apply for a ‘no-fault’ divorce. But what does this mean for the people of Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch? See what our Head of Family Law and Partner, Emma Hamilton Cole, thinks below… Currently, anyone seeking divorce has to prove that their partner is at fault due...
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