General Family Law
Information Zone - General Family Law
Domestic violence
This is the Domestic Violence iGuide
Download the file 
domestic_violence.pdf (105.87KB)
Cohabitation iGuide
This is the cohabitation iGuide
Download the file cohabitation_iguide.pdf (138.22KB)
Child maintenance and support
This is the child maintenance and support iGuide
Download the file CSA1.pdf (114.87KB)
Forced marriages
This iGuide explains the background to the recently introduced law to protect ATMs and potential victims of forced marriages.
Download the file forced_marriages.pdf (116.06KB)
The Future of Family Law
This article by David Hodson, commissioned by resolution to celebrate its 25th anniversary, is a light, whimsical yet equally a very serious look into what may be the future of family law in the year 2020, published in the resolution magazine.
Download the file 2020_vision.pdf (123.84KB)
Costs
“We simply cannot go on as we are. The expenditure of costs on the scale exemplified by this and by too many other such cases is a scandal which must somehow be brought under control.” This quote from the recent case of KSO v MJO [2008] EWHC 3031 (Fam) has again sparked interest because of Munby J’s outspoken comments on the issue of disproportionate costs. This is an article written by Jamie Donaldson and David Hodson published in March 2009 Family Law Journal.
Download the file jenny2.pdf (199.02KB)
“2020: vision of the future of family law”
Published by David Hodson in the SFLA/resolution magazine June 2008.
Download the file 2020.pdf (126.85KB)
Transparency in the family courts
David Hodson’s response on openness debate as submitted to the Law commission.
Download the file openness_response.pdf (150.37KB)
Cohabitation reform
David Hodson’s response to Law Commission proposals on a new law on rights for cohabitants.
Download the file cohabitation.pdf (172.27KB)
Family law and the institution of marriage
A paper given by David Hodson at the World Congress on family law in 2001 on how aspects of the law, practice and procedure can, perhaps unwittingly, detract from respect for the institution of marriage.
Download the file congress_fam_law.pdf (204.25KB)
Glossary
A list of family law terminology to help better understand what lawyers are talking about and some of the specific terms used. This Glossary provides general information only. Professional advice should always be taken and we cannot accept any liability for reliance on it.
Guide to divorce procedure
A guide setting out the timetable, forms, court hearings and related issues to getting a divorce.
Download the file divorce1.pdf (175.65KB)
Guide to getting married
How to do it as far as laws and rules are concerned.
Download the file getting_married.pdf (158.86KB)
Pre marriage agreements
The present law, in the form of lecture notes, including issues on the drafting and important practice management considerations on whether a law firm should undertake this work.
Download the file pre_marriage_agree.pdf (283.61KB)
Domestic violence and financial outcomes
A global survey showing those countries which are increasingly referring to domestic violence aas a criteria and circumstance to be taken into account in deciding what is the appropriate financial division on the relationship breaksown.
Download the file SA4.pdf (292.91KB)
Web resources for the English family lawyer and client
An article concerning the various resources now available on the web on family law issues.
Download the file webresources.pdf (135.01KB)
“Electrifying the Family Courts - IT innovations in family law”
An article in March 2007 Family Law magazine about possible IT changes in the family courts.
Download the file it_family_courts.pdf (131.12KB)
“Family law Conferences - time to go borrowing again”
An article in SFLA Review on January 2007 about the need to improve English Family Law Conferences and the benefits of borrowing from the Australian equivalent
Download the file australian_conference.pdf (115.01KB)
Resolution (SFLA) code, new version
The code of practice of the SFLA, now known as resolution, in its much shorter version launched in March 2007.
Download the file Code1.pdf (39.02KB)
Resolution (SFLA) code, previous long version
The code of practice of the SFLA, now known as resolution, in its longer and amplified version before being replaced in march 2007 by the much shorter version above.
Download the file prev_code.pdf (113.58KB)
Law Society Protocol
This protocol which applies to all solicitors, and not just members of the SFLA, sets out the standards for family law work in England and Wales. Despite requests so that we could include it here, we have not been sent it in a soft version so it has to be located in pdf format form from the Law Society website.
