In an ongoing commitment to support victims of domestic violence, our Family Law Solicitors Claire Edgar and Emma Stratton have been providing training seminars with various organisations dedicated to supporting those affected by domestic abuse to include Women’s Aid and Assist NI.

  Our Family Law department have always been keenly aware of the importance of information sharing among professionals working within the area of family law and domestic abuse. 

  On 15th February 2024, our Family Law Partner Claire Edgar presented a talk to the Law Society of Northern Ireland on the Civil and Criminal Court’s response to Domestic Abuse.

  On 23rd February 2024, our Family Law Partner Claire Edgar was invited by the NI Science Festival to take part in a panel discussion entitled ‘Where's the justice? The Impact of trauma insensitive systems’.

  Being a parent brings with it many joys and rewards, though most parents would agree that with these rewards comes a lifetime of responsibility. It is the job of both parents of a child to ensure that this responsibility is taken seriously and exercised in the best interests of their children.

'Tis the season for twinkling lights, family gatherings and that undeniable feeling of togetherness. But the Christmas holidays can leave many who are navigating a separation uncertain as to when they will see their children over the festive period.

Our Family Law Partner Claire Edgar was a guest presenter at this year’s European Conference on Domestic Violence in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Article 4 of the Children (NI) Order 1995 allows for the Family Courts in Northern Ireland to arrange for a ‘suitably qualified person to report to the Court on such matters relating to the welfare of a child’.   This suitably qualified person is known as the Court Children’s Officer and they can play a significant part in promoting a just and compassionate and child-centred approach to legal proceedings involving children. 

In March 2023, the HM Treasury suspended any calculation of a Cash Equivalent Transfer Value in respect of public sector Defined Benefit pension schemes and to date have not provided any firm details as to what will replace it. 

From 26th June 2023, a standalone offence of ‘Non-Fatal Strangulation’ came into force in Northern Ireland.  

Father’s Day is a celebration of fatherhood, paternal bonds and the influence of fathers in our lives. It’s a day when children lavish daddy with cards, gifts, hugs and kisses and where fathers celebrate both the joys and rewards of having children. 

The High Court of Northern Ireland recently handed down Judgment in the Judicial Review case of JR231. The Judgment explores the legal test to be applied by the Domestic Courts in determining whether to grant an ex parte Non-Molestation Order under the Family Homes and Domestic Violence (NI) Order 1998.

Coronation Street has addressed stalking behaviour and the impact it can have on victims in a recent storyline addressing the topic. 

Our Family Law partner Claire Edgar was a guest speaker at the Bar Council for Northern Ireland’s Conference on domestic abuse which took place on 23rd February 2023.

In October 2022, the High Court of Justice in NI considered the appeal process available to victims of domestic abuse if they are not granted emergency protection by the Domestic Proceedings Court.

Our Family Law Partner, Claire Edgar is appointed Chair of the Protection and Justice Working Group of the Belfast Area Domestic & Sexual Violence and Abuse Partnership. 

The Family Courts in Northern Ireland oversee and adjudicate upon cases which are brought by parents after relationship breakdown regarding care arrangements for their children. Here are some frequently asked questions about our Family Courts and how they work.

While Social Services play an important role in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children in our community, it is natural for parents to feel anxious at the thought of Social Services becoming involved with their children.  We are regularly contacted by parents who are anxious at the thought of Social Services becoming involved with their family and we advise on the steps that can be taken to ensure that children remain in parental care.

In the period between April 2021 to March 2022, there were 642 reported incidents of breaches of Non-Molestation Orders in Northern Ireland.

The United Nations designated 15th June as ‘Elder Abuse Awareness Day’ as an occasion to recognise and highlight the issue of elder abuse in the world and for each country to vocalise its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted upon some members of our older generations.