In financial remedy applications during divorces and dissolutions, couples have to complete a Form E financial statement, providing details of their financial circumstances. One of the sections in the form asks whether there is any conduct by their spouse or … read more
Don’t be deceived by what you see onscreen. Be collaborative instead.
Four people are sitting at a conference table. On one side is the husband and his lawyer. On the other side is the wife and her lawyer. HUSBAND’S LAWYER: We’ll agree to the higher payment if you will agree to … read more
Cohabitation reform at last
The government has announced that it intends to change the law relating to cohabiting couples. This should provide cohabitants with greater rights than they currently have, as well as a more family-orientated framework and procedure than exists at present. The … read more
The problem with direct agreements about finances in divorce
Many people who are divorcing, dissolving civil partnerships or separating from their spouse or civil partner will reach an agreement direct with their ex about financial issues. This may have the advantage of being much faster and less expensive than … read more
Are fat jabs causing divorces?
The increasing use of so-called “fat jabs” such as Ozempic and Mounjaro is being predicted to cause all sorts of social changes. They may enable the NHS to reduce cases of obesity and diabetes. They also being cited by Greggs … read more
Thirty years on…Part 3
Jon Armstrong continues his review of how things have changed in family law practice over the past 30 years: You can read Part 1 here. You can read Part 2 here. Unmarried couples When I began working a trainee solicitor in … read more
Thirty Years On…Part 2
Jon Armstrong continues his review of how things have changed in family law practice over the past 30 years: You can read Part 1 here. Divorce Divorce has undergone a significant change and one that perhaps might seem most revolutionary … read more
Thirty Years On…Part 1
In January 2026, I celebrated 30 years as a family lawyer, 11 of them as a partner in a large provincial law firm and then 14 of them as a niche sole practitioner. In that time, practising family law has … read more
Pride and without prejudice: is there any point to without prejudice offers?
When conducting financial negotiations in divorce and civil partnership dissolution proceedings, negotiations often take place on a without prejudice basis. What does “without prejudice” mean? The simplest way to think of negotiations described as being without prejudice is that they … read more
How long can a reconciliation last before you can’t divorce
Applicants in a divorce can apply for the final order (formerly known as a decree absolute), in order to bring their marriage legally to an end six weeks after the date of the conditional order in the divorce application. However, … read more