Family Matters

A v A (arbitration: guidance) [2021] EWHC 1889 (Fam) – Procedure to follow when seeking to confirm or to challenge arbitral award.

The parties had reached a significant degree of agreement between them as to the terms of a financial settlement, but a number of issues remained, which they decided to resolve through arbitration.

AS v CS (Private FDR) [2021] EWFC 34 – party cannot unilaterally pull out of private financial dispute resolution

The parties were engaged in financial remedy proceedings. A date for a private financial dispute resolution (FDR) appointment was fixed in October 2020.

CA v DR (Schedule 1 Children Act 1989: Pension Claim) [2021] EWFC 21 – Schedule 1 award not extended to make pension provision for caring parent

The parties had a four-year old child, for whom the applicant made an application for financial provision under Schedule 1.

Inquiry into the rights of cohabiting partners

With over 3.4 million couples cohabiting in England and Wales, cohabiting partners have, in recent years, been the fastest growing family type in England and Wales.

LM v DM (Costs Ruling) [2021] EWFC 28 – costs order reduced for failure to negotiate

The wife had sought orders for maintenance pending suit (MPS) and a costs allowance, by way of a Legal Services Payment Order (LSPO).

FC v MC & DC (a minor) [2021] EWHC 154 (Fam) – court makes lives with order in favour of former same-sex partner of child's mother

The applicant and respondent had been in a same sex relationship, during which time they had arranged to have a child using donor sperm.

AZ v FM [2021] EWFC 2 - Order for child maintenance can be capitalised

A final order was made in relation to the parties' financial claims in 2011. That order included an order for periodical payments by way of child maintenance in relation to the parties' daughter, who, by the time the matter returned to court, was 19.