Blog

When families fall apart, do they fall too easily into court? An analysis of a speech given by Sir Andrew McFarlane (AM), President of the Family Division, on October 31st 2022, at The Worcestershire High Sheri’s Lecture 2022 at the University of Worcester AM suggests that separating parents[...]

In recent weeks, we have started to see a rarity in court become a daily occurrence. McKenzie Picave, as a small legal support practice has had 3 hearings adjourned in the last 10 days because…. There is no judge or magistrate available to take the hearing. Now, if we have had 3 hearings adjourned,[...]

“I did not know Mr Picave was a McKenzie Friend until the hearing was over. I assumed he was a solicitor…” – Mr D, Counsel, Family Law The quality and competence of a McKenzie Friend vary dramatically. The lack of regulation around McKenzie Friends means almost anyone can be[...]

A person who acts for a child who is subject to specific public law proceedings, usually care proceedings. Guardians are qualified in social work; they are trained and experienced in working with children and families. They are appointed by the Court to represent the rights and interests of children[...]

A disgruntled Mum applies to the Family Court for a child arrangement order. She wants to ensure there is a framework in place for when and how the children’s Dad gets to see them. She wants that framework to be underpinned by a sealed Court Order. What she actually wants is to reduce the amount[...]

If you are going to find yourself in a Family Court case or you are already there, it seems appropriate to find out what you are walking into. The Family Court is just one judicial environment within a system which includes criminal courts, high courts, and civil courts. Fact: The Judge in family[...]

In an application for a care order, the local authority must provide basic information to the court and to the parties about case management and long term planning. The court cannot make a final care order unless it has considered a care plan. The Care Plan presented by the local authority must be[...]

Active listening is a communication skill that involves going beyond simply hearing the words that another person speaks but also seeking to understand the meaning and intent behind them. It requires being an active participant in the communication process. Active listening techniques include: Being[...]

The courts are currently facing an ever growing backlog of cases, causing the wait between hearings to grow from weeks to months, but why has this happened, and how is it affecting the children going through this process? In February 2022, there was a hearing for a child arrangements order. The second[...]

In accordance with the Human Rights Act 1998, and the Regulation of Investigative Powers at Work 2000 (RIPA), it is lawful to conduct covert surveillance in the workplace. The Human Rights Act is relevant to Public Authorities and RIPA gives guidance across many sectors of covert surveillance. Covert[...]

Stress is how we react when we feel under pressure or threatened. It usually happens when we are in a situation that we don’t feel we can manage or control. When we experience stress, it can be as: An individual, for example when you have lots of responsibilities that you are struggling to manage[...]

This is a long one you might want to get comfy, maybe make a cup of tea… You may or may not have seen on the news that Roe V Wade was overturned by the US Supreme Court a few weeks ago, and this decision was a contentious one. But what is it, and what […]