You, Susan J Williams
& Ince, in any case

27-07-2022 /

In recent years, surrogacy has become more prominent, openly talked about and accepted as an opportunity for different family structures to be able to have a child of their own.

14-06-2022 /

Adoption and surrogacy rates in the UK are on the rise – in the year ending March 2020, there were 3,440 adoptions and 413 parental orders following a surrogacy arrangement. Employers and HR, usually equipped with the knowledge and experience to deal with issues around biological maternity and paternity leave and pay, are now increasingly required to know the statutory rights of adoptive parents, surrogate women and intended parents. This includes their respective entitlement to take leave from work, their pay arrangements, and providing wider support through this life-changing time in their lives.

14-02-2022 /

Each year, on 14 February millions of people across the world mark the day by sending cards and gifts to their partners to show their love and affection. With many considering this to be the most romantic day of the year, it may seem an appropriate time to embark on the next step of your relationship. This could mean couples deciding to move in together, or it sometimes provide an opportunity for a marriage proposal. These are very exciting times for couples, when careful consideration of the legal consequence of taking that next step are no doubt far from the happy couple’s minds.  

17-01-2022 /

The beginning of the year always brings enquiries in relation to relationship breakdowns. The end of the old year is often a period of reflection and the New Year an opportunity for change.

17-01-2022 / Private Wealth

At the beginning of the year, we always see a surge of relationship breakdown enquiries, as couples reflect at the end of an old year and the new year brings an opportunity for change.

15-12-2021 /

Welcome to Family Matters, the podcast series which explores the different areas of family law.

19-10-2021 /

One in four people will experience mental health issues in their lifetime. This can have a significant impact on a person’s life, including their wellbeing and performance in the workplace. In this article, Susan J Williams, Partner and Head of Family (Cardiff), explores the significant impact mental health can have on relationships, and its role as a cause and consequence of a relationship breakdown.

26-05-2021 /

In the last week, it has been widely reported that the USA has authorised the use of a Covid-19 vaccine to be administered to children over 12 years of age. Although the UK is currently assessing the data, it is anticipated that they will also approve the use of a Covid-19 vaccine for children. The question that then arises is what happens if parents cannot agree on whether their child should be given a Covid-19 vaccine.

20-05-2021 /

On 29 April 2021, after years of parliamentary consideration, the Domestic Abuse Bill finally became law, representing a long-awaited change to our legislation.

11-03-2021 /

When a relationship comes to an end - whether a couple is going through divorce proceedings or ending a period of co-habitation - it is well recognised that this can have a huge impact on a member of staff’s work life.

17-12-2020 /

At the heart of the UAE, Dubai is a vibrant country, which offers amazing work opportunities for lots of British people looking to enhance their career, to work in a unique and exciting country, and to experience a different culture and meet with people from all over the world.

30-11-2020 /

Recent data from The Office of National Statistics showed that during 2019, there was an increase in the number of divorces for both heterosexual and same-sex couples. In fact, it is the largest increase in divorce rates in the last five years.

04-11-2020 /

On the 29 October 2020, The Times ran an article titled “Can your relationship survive the second wave”. As Wales comes out of a “Firebreak” lockdown on 9 November 2020, and England starts a month-long lockdown from 5 November 2020 - this is a very timely question to ask.

03-11-2020 /

Since March, we have all had to adjust to the new reality in the face of Coronavirus. Now with the second national lockdown on the horizon in England, a ‘fire breaker’ lockdown underway in Wales and tiered restrictions being imposed in Scotland, we will all again retreat to our homes in order to protect ourselves, the vulnerable and our NHS.

01-10-2020 /

As children attend school for the autumn term, for the first time since March 2020, schools across the UK are adopting measures to try and reduce the spread of coronavirus whilst allowing the return of all children to the school environment.

18-05-2020 /

In recent weeks family practitioners have had to deal with scenarios and situations which we hadn’t previously envisaged or had to consider. One parent stuck in lockdown on their own in one part of the country and the other with the children miles away, and grandparents and grandchildren not being able to see one another and share that special bond that exists. These are a few examples of the difficulties which separating families are having to endure.

24-04-2020 /

According to a statistic from STEP, more than three million couples in the UK choose to co-habit, rather than marry or enter a civil partnership. However, unmarried couples who live together have far fewer legal rights than couples who are married or in civil partnerships. The concept of the ‘common law’ spouse is just a myth and not recognised in the law. As a result, co-habiting couples who are in the process of separating cannot access the financial orders as separating spouse.

24-03-2020 /

We are now having to face challenges nationally and globally which we never expected, and we are having to adapt very quickly to the significant impact of COVID-19 upon our daily lives. In this unprecedented time of uncertainty, it is normal to have worries about how to manage your household and your family arrangements, to abide by the government guidance whilst maintaining some degree of normality. As Cafcass (Court Welfare Advisory Service) have advised, in this climate of uncertainty it has never been more important to instill a sense of routine and normality for children in order to make them feel safe and secure.

03-03-2020 /

On 8 March, International Women’s Day celebrates its 109th year, since it was first established in 1911. International Women’s Day encourages women around the world to come together to celebrate social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, with a call for action to push for gender equality.

14-02-2020 /

It has been reported in the media that Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall, hosted an event on Wednesday to highlight the invaluable work that the organization 'SafeLives' undertakes to support victims of Domestic Abuse.