Millions of unmarried cohabiting couples could get stronger rights and more financial security
Recently the Government launched a consultation which could see cohabiting couples – who live together, but are not married – given automatic inheritance rights and financial protections upon separation, or if their partner dies. It marks a dramatic shift in a legal system that has previously left millions of people with little or no legal status and protection when a live-in relationship breaks down, regardless of how many years they devoted to a family or home. This disproportionately effects women, who are often the financially weaker party at the end of a relationship, and facing greater hardship afterwards.
Britain’s longest divorce case ends in £6.6 million payout for wife after it’s proved husband hid significant assets
Divorce proceeding times can vary enormously. For a no fault divorce in England and Wales which is simple and non-contentious, 26 weeks should be the norm. This timeline is mainly driven by a mandatory minimum 20-week reflection period between the initial application and the Conditional Order, followed by an additional 6-week waiting period before you can apply for the Final Order that legally ends the marriage.
Donna Ockenden delivers findings from three year review into maternity failings at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
In 2023, families affected by Nottingham maternity service failings, were delighted at the appointment of Senior Midwife Donna Ockenden to chair the ongoing Independent Review into Maternity Services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. They wanted Ms Ockenden to take charge to ensure the truth was uncovered, so other families could be safeguarded in the future.
The rise of later life divorce
In the UK, around 42% of marriages end in divorce, and there’s a common assumption that these splits usually happen to young couples growing apart, the stresses of raising children, or the infamous ‘seven-year itch’. But this is not the case.
Does your GP surgery advertise the potentially life-saving Jess’s Rule?
It’s nearly six months since posters advertising Jess’s Rule were rolled out to every GP surgery in England. Does your surgery have this relevant information on prominent display? If not, they should!
Can my spouse hide assets in divorce?
If you are preparing for a divorce, or just started going through the process, one of the most difficult things you must do as a separating couple is to deal fairly with the division of assets. A fair split of your combined assets is the best outcome.
Family Mediation Voucher Scheme will continue for the 2026-27 financial year
Family lawyers across England and Wales welcome the latest news from The Ministry of Justice (MoJ). Last Week the MOJ confirmed that funding for the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme will continue for the 2026-27 budget year.
Families’ welcome the appointment of Donna Ockenden to lead an independent inquiry at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
The Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, has made a dramatic U-turn and caved into pressure by appointing Donna Ockenden, a senior midwife, to lead the review into maternity and neonatal services at Leeds Teaching Hospitals (LTH) NHS Trust.
Make life easier for your loved ones after you’ve gone
In the last few weeks, ITV’s The Martin Lewis Money Show Live (3 March), focused heavily on the importance of Wills, Lasting Power of Attorney and Estate Planning. Martin highlighted them as essential tasks for protecting family assets and of course outlined how they can make things so much easier for your loved ones after you’ve died.
The lives of 55 babies could have been saved with better care at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust
In September 2025, we wrote a blog detailing the fact that the government had ordered investigations to be led by Baroness Amos into 14 NHS Trusts over maternity care failures. One of these trusts was University Hospitals (UH) Sussex NHS Trust.