The question as to what each spouse entitled to from a divorce is an important one. In the UK, divorce settlements aim to split the family’s assets and property as close to evenly as possible. While a 50/50 split will not always be the case as – there may be very specific reasons why one […]
Andrew Stephens is a specialist criminal law barrister who acts solely for the defence. He is regularly instructed in serious matters as well as those needing that bit of extra care as Andrew is adept at dealing with both clients and witnesses with vulnerabilities. Andrew is also particularly well regarded for the way he deals […]
One form of criminal exploitation that is now never far from the headlines is cuckooing. Recently there have been hundreds of arrests as police all over the UK crack down on County Lines crime. Cuckooing has been a major factor in many of these cases but why is cuckooing on the rise? What is cuckooing? […]
Richard is Westgate Chambers’ Head of Chambers. A specialist in criminal, regulatory and civil work, Richard has been described as “a very skillful advocate who exudes charm and confidence” and repeatedly praised for both his advocacy skills and the quality of his advice. However, in the first of a new series of spotlights on Westgate […]
Historically the 5 years separation rule was one of five available grounds for divorce in England and Wales, a factor you could use to show your marriage had broken down irretrievably. If after 5 years both parties were in contact and in agreement regarding the divorce, it offered a quick and easy way to end […]
More and more couples are experimenting with birdnesting after divorce. They believe their children could be spared at least a fraction of the upset they’d otherwise feel if they can stay in the same house with their parents taking it in turns to join them. The reason birdnesting is increasingly being viewed as a beneficial […]
One can’t fail to notice how many more electric vehicles (EVs) are on the roads each week. EVs are a key component in the government’s ambition to have the UK achieve net zero status by 2030 but for those who rent rather than own their home, do landlords need to supply an EV charger for […]
When a business needs to be included in a financial settlement, one question we are very often asked is how a business is split in a divorce. While there are of course exceptions depending on the exact circumstances surrounding the divorce, businesses (and the financial value of that business) will usually be split in the […]
Under government plans children conceived during rape will be classed as victims of crime for the very first time. The changes are widely expected to become part of the forthcoming Victims Bill. Once the changes become law, anyone conceived during a rape or any other sexual offence will be able to access information about their […]
When you are at the heart of a divorce there is so much to worry about during what will be the most upsetting and stressful time of your life. However, one can never forget pensions in a divorce. Some pension pots could be even more valuable than savings or even the family home, particularly as […]