Becket Chambers

Section 4 of the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 (“the Act”) provides that claims under section 2 of the Act must be made within six months of the date on which the representation with respect to the estate is taken out, unless the court gives permission for such a claim to be … Continue reading →

The recent decision of Cameron (Respondent) v Liverpool Victoria Insurance Co Ltd (Appellant) [2019] UKSC 6 is an interesting insight into service of untraceable and unidentified drivers that are liable for road traffic accidents. This case concerned an appeal in the Supreme Court on the question of “in what circumstances is it permissible to sue … Continue reading →

The primary purpose of a will is to distribute any property that you own in the event of your death. The receivers of such property are called beneficiaries. In addition to leaving a sum of money to loved ones, it is common for an individual to leave a sum to a charity or other organisation. … Continue reading →

Y and E (Children) (Sexual Abuse Allegations) [2019] EWCA Civ 206 Judgment: 21 February 2019 Baker and Underhill LJJ and Sir Patrick Elias The child was aged 12 by the time of the appeal. In 2010, a year after the parents separated, the child began to suggest that she had been sexually abused by her … Continue reading →

Re G (Children: Fair Hearing). [2019] EWCA Civ 126 On the first of these two issues this was a procedural appeal against interim care orders by a mother who stated that she was subjected to improper judicial pressure that led to orders being granted without opposition by her. The appeal was heard by Lord Justice … Continue reading →

Despite the significant cultural and social developments in society, the law governing divorce has remained largely the same since 1969 when the Divorce Reform Act was passed. After many discussions and attempts to change the law, the Government has finally decided that reform is necessary. Current Basis for Divorce When you apply for a divorce … Continue reading →

Bundles have always been the bane of the civil lawyer’s life. 10 different courts, 10 different approaches, and 10 shades of adherence to the CPR. From 6th April this year, the rules changed for the worse better. If you are preparing for a trial under the CPR, you should take a look at the new … Continue reading →

The Facts My client received an electricity bill in the sum of about £13,000 in respect of a tenanted, residential premises within a farm complex he owned; he disputed liability as the tenants of the premises were contractually liable for the costs of their services and the premises were separately metered (and, in any event … Continue reading →

The very recent decision of Mostyn J in Ipekci v McConnell [2019] EWFC 19 illustrates the fragility of Pre-Nuptial Agreements (“PNAs” hereafter) from one end (vitiation) and the same case and other recent decisions do so from the other end (the extent to which they bind the court even if valid). These two ends of … Continue reading →

I have previously written an article on Arbitration.   That article focussed on the case of DB v DLJ [2016] EWHC 324 (Fam) in which Mostyn J confirmed that there are very limited ways in which an arbitral award can be challenged under ss 67, 68 and 69, Arbitration Act 1996; i.e. correction, challenge or appeal … Continue reading →

Assertions of adverse possession (or “squatter’s rights”), where an individual is entitled to claim ownership of land by virtue of the fact that they have used the land as their own for an extended period, are frequently the cause of prolonged and expensive litigation. The Land Registration Act 2002 was intended, in part, to prevent … Continue reading →

After turning up at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on my first day (April Fools’ Day) and observing my first case, cash forfeiture under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, I was extremely relieved that pupillage did exist and was excited to see what the next twelve months had in store for me. Since then time has … Continue reading →

The recent case of Re: ABCDEF (Fact Finding: Honour Based Violence) 2019 EWHC 406 dealt with the subsidiary issue of when a costs order can be made against an expert witness. The relevant facts are these. An application for a Child Arrangements Order, by the father for the relevant child to ‘spend time ‘ with him … Continue reading →

The important thing to remember about mediation is that it is your process. There are many ways that you and the mediator can tailor the available options to make the process one that is truly bespoke. Some of those options are set out below: Gathering financial information: Whether as part of the Court process or … Continue reading →

First, make contact with the mediation clerks, who will provide you with some information and send you a referral form to complete. Complete your referral form and return it to the mediation clerks, who will then set up an initial session for you to attend with the mediator (on your own). Attend an intake/MIAM session … Continue reading →

Do I have to mediate before I go to Court? Mediation is a voluntary process, so you’re under no obligation to mediate before making an application to Court. But there IS a requirement that, before making an application to Court in respect of finances or children (unless any of the exemptions apply), you attend an … Continue reading →

Often, when parents separate, there are young children involved, so it is important to set up a co-parenting model that can last for a significant period of time. Many parents feel that the most appropriate forum for such discussions is within mediation. If you have been able to reach a decision through negotiation, you can … Continue reading →

Interview season is a stressful time for most pupillage applicants but you need to ensure you don’t bury your head in the sand and instead go into your interviews prepared for whatever might be thrown at you. To assist you, Becket Chambers’ pupils have provided some of their top tips from their experiences below: Be … Continue reading →

Despite the judgement of Baron J Radmacher v Granatino [2010] UKSC 42 at para 84 that It is the court that determines the result after applying the Act. The court grants the award and formulates the order with the parties’ agreement being but one factor in the process and, perhaps, in the right cases, it … Continue reading →

When importing goods into the UK from a country which is not within the European Union a traveller is able to take advantage of what is commonly known as the ‘duty free allowance’ that is they are permitted to import certain quantities of dutiable goods without having to pay duty on those goods. The current … Continue reading →

Cara Radford assesses applications for possession by public authorities in light of the Public Sector Equality Duty and where cuckooing is an issue. Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 (“the Act”) provides the Public Sector Equality Duty (“PSED”) which requires public authorities, in the exercise of its functions, to have due regard to the … Continue reading →

The scope of this article is to give a simplified overview of the issue of costs in respect of financial remedy proceedings. The starting point is to be found in rule 28.3 of the Financial Procedure Rules 2010 (“FPR”). As a general rule, in terms of FPR 28.3(5) and subject to FPR 28.3(6), in financial … Continue reading →

The Legal Framework Under Section 31(1) of the Children Act 1989 (“CA1989”), the Court may, on the application of any local authority or authorised person, make an order placing a child into the care of or under the supervision of the designated local authority. The Court may only make such an order if it is … Continue reading →

A Parliamentary inquiry started in February 2019, into the growing trend of local authorities to “farm out” vulnerable youngsters to care & foster homes far from their birth families, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation, just as a group of parents planned legal action to ensure their children are housed in residential care homes close to … Continue reading →

Where the cost of credit hire is claimed as part of a road traffic claim issues of enforceability are invariably considered by the Court and the Defendant. The matter usually arises after cross-examination of a Claimant who gives evidence that they were told that some other party would pay any such costs before signing the … Continue reading →

In the well-publicised case of Barton v Wright Hassall LLP [2018] UKSC 12, Lord Sumption, with whom Lord Wilson and Lord Carnwarth agreed (Lady Hale and Lord Briggs dissenting), stated: “The rules provide a framework within which to balance the interest of both sides. That balance is inevitably disturbed if an unrepresented litigant is entitled … Continue reading →

The case of C v C [2018] EWHC 3186 (Fam) concerned a Husband and Wife who had been married for approximately eight years. The parties married in May 2008 and separated in June 2016. Both parties were in their forties and shared two children, aged 9 and 6 respectively. Although both parties were educated professionals, … Continue reading →

The Court of Appeal has recently given judgment in Royal Mail Group Limited v Efobi [2019] EWCA Civ 18, Royal Mail’s appeal against the Employment Appeal Tribunal’s decision that, at first instance, a Tribunal had wrongly rejected Mr Efobi’s claim for direct race discrimination. The Court of Appeal’s decision has effectively restored the decision of … Continue reading →

Last year the High Court confirmed, in the case of Ayton v RSM Bentley Jennison & Others [2018] EWHC 2851 (QB), that a claimant is entitled to issue a claim purely for the purposes of recovering costs. In her judgment, Mrs Justice May ordered the defendants to pay more than £460,000 to the claimant for … Continue reading →

This is a very recent Court of Appeal Judgment in which there was a successful appeal of a fact-finding judgment in private law proceedings: A (Children) Re [2019] EWCA Civ 74 This particular case involves transnational marriage abandonment, an issue that the court appears to be grappling with more and more frequently. This a case, … Continue reading →

Since March 2018 the government have been consulting for a landmark Domestic Abuse bill. It seeks to legislate to “ fundamentally change the way we, as a country, think about this insidious crime.”  The draft bill was published on 21st January 2019 and focuses on 4 main objectives, i.e. how they can: promote awareness – … Continue reading →

Much of probate law is aimed towards future arrangements: what will happen after I die, how do I leave my estate to my children, whether to donate to the brexiteers or remainers. Sometimes however, the law allows us to deal with matters when things have gone wrong. From a contested wills & probate perspective, ensuring … Continue reading →

Cumulative Edition 2018 by Kevin Jackson Contents Civil Restraint Orders AEY v AL (Family Proceedings Civil Restraint Order) 18th November 2018 [2018] EWHC 3253 (Fam) Committal CH and CT 25th May 2018 [2018] EWHC 1310 (Fam) Egeneonu and Egeneonu and Anor 6th June 2018 [2018] EWHC 1392 (Fam) Egeneonu and Egeneonu 18th July 2018 [2018] … Continue reading →

QUARTERLY DIGEST OCTOBER to DECEMBER 2018 PUBLIC LAW Adoption BT & GT (Children: twins – adoption) [2018] EWFC 76 29th November 2018 Keehan J Care and placement orders were made in 2015 in respect of twins aged 5. The care plan was for a joint adoptive placement and failing that, joint placement with foster carers. … Continue reading →

QUARTERLY DIGEST October to December 2018 PRIVATE LAW Civil Restraint Orders AEY v AL (Family Proceedings Civil Restraint Order) [2018] EWHC 3253 (Fam) 18th November 2018 Knowles J The father had engaged in long running family proceedings regarding his three children. In the current proceedings the father made a further application for a child arrangements … Continue reading →

The recent case of Re A and B (children) [2018] EWHC 3491 (Fam) was a case heard in the High Court by the then President of the Family Division, Sir James Munby. It considered cross applications from a Local Authority (“LA”) and a journalist arising out of care proceedings brought by the LA which resulted … Continue reading →

What is the most ‘enduring’ or ‘the longest-lasting relationship’ you have…? It is with your siblings! Background: The case of Re H [2010] EWCA Civ 1200 revisited two important and developing principles in family law.  The first is a child’s right to know who is within their family, an issue that is likely to become … Continue reading →

Here are a couple of interesting recent examples of successful Human Rights Act claims against Local Authorities in respect of care cases: BT & GT (Children: twins – adoption) [2018] EWFC 76 This is a High Court case in which Keehan J granted two applications for adoption in respect of twins who had been placed … Continue reading →

The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 created a new (and rigorous) statutory framework for individuals and companies dealing with scrap metal imposing significant criminal penalties for any breaches; more local authorities are becoming aware of the additional options for dealing with sites where unauthorised activities are leading to complaints and pressure from residents (and councillors). … Continue reading →

I suspect that for many, the perception of land law is that it involves hours of delving into musty files and poring over aged documents. Whilst this can sometimes be the case, it is an area of law which will often cast an interesting light on societal change. A recent Supreme Court decision is an … Continue reading →

Following consideration having been given and the determination made that the Mitchell/Denton principles apply in a given situation the mind must turn to the manner in which those principles are likely to be applied in the relevant circumstances. Given the nature of the discretion afforded to the court in an application for relief from sanctions … Continue reading →

Since the ending of legal aid in private law proceedings, it has become more frequent for cross examination to be conducted by litigants in person, including in cases where the court has deemed that there should be a fact finding hearing, before determining what if any contact should be ordered. The recent case of PS … Continue reading →

The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 brought with it new powers in order to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB). It introduced, amongst other things, the Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), the civil injunction and the closure order. Local Authorities and Police Forces, amongst other organisations can apply for these; but when thinking about these powers, … Continue reading →

A recent appeal decision Re A and R (Children) [2018] EWHC 2771 (Fam) acts as a useful reminder of the question of appeals arising from fact finding hearings but also raises other issues routinely encountered in private law cases. The case concerned two boys aged 7 and 6 in respect of whom bitterly contested s8 … Continue reading →

When is something that appears to be a matrimonial asset not in fact a matrimonial asset and how does a non-matrimonial asset become a matrimonial asset and, what difference does it make? The very recent High Court case of IX v IY [2018] EWHC 3053 (fam) concerns this issue and, whilst my colleague Dean Thistle … Continue reading →

Following the implementation of the Mitchell/Denton principles compliance with rules and practice directions has become far more important than it previously had been. Whilst the additional clarification given in Denton has provided a greater understanding of what is expected when seeking to apply for relief from sanctions there remain many examples of misunderstandings and misinterpretations. … Continue reading →

The presence of Litigants in Person (LiP) in court proceedings is now commonplace. The proportion of cases that involve a LiP on both sides of a dispute continues to rise as do those cases where at least one party is a LiP. In the former, whilst of course not ideal as the assistance of a … Continue reading →

On the 16th November 2018 the Flexible Operating Hours (“FOH”) Pilots: Prospectus for Civil and Family Court Pilots was published. HM Courts and Tribunals Service (“HMCTS”) announced that early and late sittings will now be trialled over six months in civil and family courts in Manchester Civil Justice Centre and Brentford County Court, commencing in … Continue reading →