Family News

South Gloucestershire Council v DN [2022] EWCOP 35 (12 August 2022)

7th September 2022

Poonam Bhari instructed by Charlotte Melhuish of Stone King Solicitors LLP represented the School, which is a small charitable and independent special school, in this challenging, difficult and complex case. The case concerned DN a 17 year old boy with co-morbid diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Severe Learning Difficulties and Tourette’s Syndrome who had been residing at the School under Section 20 of the Children Act 1989. DN physically assaulted staff members at the school...

3PB welcomes top children and domestic violence barrister Laura Scott

28th August 2022

3 Paper Buildings (3PB) has welcomed family barrister Laura Scott(2001 call), pictured here, to its now 83-strong team of family law counsel. Laura practises exclusively in children and domestic violence law and has over 20 years' experience representing parents, grandparents, children, guardians, extended family members and local authorities in all aspects of the law relating to children. Formerly at Fourteen Chambers and Tanfield Chambers in London, Laura now lives in the Midlands and will practise...

Aimee Fox co-authors briefing on Children Act proceedings and children with SEND

28th August 2022

3PB’s specialist family and education law barrister Aimee Fox (pictured here), alongside law firm Anthony Collins’ associate solicitor Kadie Bennett, have co-authored a briefing in Education Law Monitor examining how parents can minimise the impact of separation on children with SEND. According to the latest figures from Statista, 2020 saw 103,592 divorces granted in England and Wales. Separation for parents of children with SEND can present additional complications and worries. The stresses and strains of...

3PB's Michael George speaks at Brewin Dolphin Family Law Dinner

1st July 2022

3PB's specialist family law practitioner Michael George (pictured here), was delighted to be asked to speak at the recent Brewin Dolphin Family Law Dinner. Held at St Anne's College, Oxford, the event was an enjoyable evening of drinks, food and stimulating conversation among peers in the family law community. Michael was one of three speakers who gave thoughtful updates in their field of expertise, with Michael offering insights on variation applications in financial remedy proceedings,...

Where to look for buried bones? Michael George discusses business valuations

7th June 2022

3PB's financial remedy specialist Michael George, pictured here, is featured in this month's Counsel magazine alongside Andrew Donaldson head of the Forensic Accounting Team at Dains Accountants. From the world of forensic accountancy, they present a checklist for barristers on valuing a business asset. With analogies relating to dogs and bones, this article really highlights the key areas to consider, including tips such as treating the company accountant's valuation with scepticism and considering quasi-partnerships carefully....

Family Law set to publish Luke Nelson's review of the FRC Efficiency Statement

30th May 2022

3PB family barrister Luke Nelson, pictured here, will shortly see his review entitled "FRC efficiency statement – an update from the trenches" published in the June 2022 issue of Family Law. This article surveys the ‘lay of the land’, three months after the FRC Efficiency Statement.  At its launch, the Efficiency Statement was heralded by some as a necessary step towards collaborative working in financial remedies. Others queried whether the front-loading brought about by its...

Resources ahead of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 coming into force on 6 April

1st April 2022

Ahead of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 coming into force on 6 April this year, Hamish Dunlop and Poonam Bhari (pictured here), both senior juniors within 3PB’s family law team, hosted a webinar on the topic, aiming to provide background, context and guidance on the new legislation. The event attracted over one 1000 registrants. Hamish and Poonam have put together a Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 resources page where practitioners who might...

Amy Beddis to contribute to the Financial Remedies Journal’s new blog

31st March 2022

3PB’s specialist family finance barrister Amy Beddis (pictured here) has been invited to contribute to the Financial Remedies Journal’s new Blog which recently launched. Headed by HHJ Edward Hess, the journal aims to promote serious and high-level debate and thought about the workings of the world of financial remedies, both substantively and procedurally and inside and outside of court. Read Amy’s first post, entitled “Armed Forces Pension Scheme: Points to Consider…”. View Amy Beddis' profile here....

Amy Beddis discusses potential challenges faced by single parents ahead of National Single Parents’ Day

17th March 2022

Specialist family barrister Amy Beddis explores how society can support single parents ahead of National Single Parents’ Day on 21 March. In this article she looks at how society can support single parents and separated families, what practical support is available and how finances can be affected causing additional challenges. The need (and wish) to work plays a huge part in those additional pressures; no more so than at the Bar. Amy looks at how...

Aimee Fox advises on covert recordings in family proceedings

17th March 2022

3PB’s specialist family and education law barrister Aimee Fox examines a number of cases in which recordings have been admitted and their impact on the proceedings for LexisNexis Family Law Journal. Aimee takes a closer look at the outcomes of the following high profile cases: Medway Council v A and Others (Learning Disability: Foster Placement) [2015] EWFC B66 Re F (Care Proceedings: Failures of Expert) [2016] EWHC 2149 (Fam), [2017] 1 FLR 1304 C (A...

Lola-Rose Avery sees the courts called upon to decide on legality of COVID-19 vaccinations for children

11th March 2022

3PB’s specialist family law barrister, Lola-Rose Avery, pictured here, sees the courts likely to have to officiate in disputes arising from the UK Government approving COVID-19 vaccinations for children over the age of 5. In a highly-topical review of current case law and regulations, Lola-Rose looks at potential family law disputes between parents, grandparents and guardians over conflicting views about a child being given the vaccination. Recent cases have established the specific considerations that the...

Lola-Rose Avery speaks out on the importance of role models on International Women’s Day

9th March 2022

3PB family law barrister Lola-Rose Avery, pictured here, has published an article on the importance of role models for the Bar Council to coincide with International Women’s Day yesterday. In this article for the Bar Council's Women in Law blog series, Lola-Rose reflects on her own experiences looking up to and working alongside inspirational women throughout her journey to becoming and practising as a barrister in the UK. Lola-Rose also reflects upon her career as...