Welcome to the 3PB family newsletter

In our second family group newsletter, we bring you a round up of our brunch talks and topical articles, news, and details of our forthcoming events.

We hope you enjoy reading this and please do contact us if we can help with further information or enquiries.

Martine Kushner appointed Circuit Judge

3PB offer many congratulations to the announcement that one of its family barristers Martine Kushner has been appointed to be a Circuit Judge.

Martine will be known as Her Honour Judge Kushner.

3PB shortlisted again at the Family Law Awards 2020

We are delighted that Rachael Goodall has been shortlisted for the ‘Family Law Junior Barrister of the Year’ award at this year’s Family Law Awards.

3PB’s Family clerking team, led by Rob Leonard and Ian Charlton, have also been shortlisted for Clerking Team of the Year for the second consecutive year.

3PB cautiously reopens offices

From 2 September, 3PB has cautiously re-opened our six offices with Covid-safe arrangements. We continue to prefer to take instructions electronically and to maintain much of our usual work using technology. We are completely able to operate remotely, and to access video and other links used by the courts. Many of our staff and counsel will continue to be principally working from home and are available on the usual numbers and email addresses.

New: Coronavirus legal updates and tips for solicitors

Visit our new resource centre for all Covid-19 related articles, briefings and webinar recordings about lockdown laws and regulations as well as guidance on practical issues like court attendance, hybrid hearings and e-bundles.

3PB family team acts in three reported cases ​

Amy Beddis provides a brief review of the three reported cases our team acted on in the last quarter: 
- an application to adjourn a part-heard final hearing due to Covid-19;
- a case involving the treatment of pensions on divorce; and
- a fact-finding hearing to establish the cause of the tragic death of a 2-month-old baby.

Deferral of Capital Claims in Times of Economic Uncertainly

As the pandemic inflicts significant damage on our society and economic activity, causing significant difficulties in valuing assets, Michael George examines the temptation of deferring capital claims. 

View Michael's profile here

Fairness in the Family Courts during lockdown 

Alex Hodge considers in an article for Family Law Week the fairness of a judicial system in which hearings are conducted remotely, evidence and submissions are limited and cases are managed robustly.

View Alex's profile here

Additional needs for children

Aimee Fox identifies, for the Family Law Journal, a child’s additional needs as relevant to the outcome of proceedings, highlighting that the issues be identified at an early stage and the court provided with proper evidence in support.

View Aimee's profile here

Evaluating the risk of harm in private law children cases​ 

Oliver Thorne and Emma Southern provide a review of the MOJ's final report 'Assessing Risk of Harm to Children and Parents in Private Law Children Cases'.

View Oliver's profile here

View Emma's profile here

Special Guardianship Orders 

Emma Griffiths provides an update on SGOs focusing on their key features; evolution and concerns; the Public Law Working Group's SGOs Guidance of June 2020.

View Emma's profile here

The rights of parents with disabilities in care proceedings 

Emma Harman reviews this important topic including: the equal rights of parents with disabilities; learning disabilities; participation in proceedings; remote hearings involving parents with learning disabilities.

View Emma's profile here

24 September Brunch

Elisabeth Hudson and Nathalie Bull will host the next 3PB Family Law Brunch via Zoom on 24 September.

Nathalie will examine ‘Enforcement of Child Arrangement Orders: case law and procedure’. Elisabeth will review 'Relocation: dos and don’ts’. 

5 November Brunch​

Audrey Archer and Luke Nelson look forward to welcoming you to our November Brunch via Zoom. 

Audrey will review ‘CAUTION! Committal proceedings’ and Luke will examine ‘The Five Stages of Experiencing a Loss in Family Proceedings’.

Please register to book your space.

Meet the team

3PB’s family group advises and represents clients on financial provision (divorce, cohabitation and death), child arrangements orders, property disputes, childcare / adoption, judicial review, professional negligence, regulatory matters, incapacity / Court of Protection welfare issues, international children’s issues and human rights.