FLiP - Family Law in Partnership

The family court process in times of COVID-19

In this episode of the FLiP podcast we discuss how the courts have adapted to the Covid-19 crisis with a particular focus on how hearings can take place remotely and what other routes are available to clients who wish to avoid the court process altogether.

FLiP Associate Kara Swift leads the discussion with family law barrister Francesca Dowse of 4 Paper Buildings. Kara and Francesca explain what to expect if you are due to attend a virtual court hearing and how to prepare for the hearing. Together they look at the advantages and disadvantages of virtual court hearings and offer tips for making the hearing as stress free as possible.

Francesca Dowse of 4 Paper Buildings has a particular expertise in all matrimonial finance including Inheritance Act provision, international and private law children work. Francesca was highlighted by Legal 500 2021 as ‘an excellent advocate with a pragmatic, analytical and incisive approach. One of her many strengths is being able to put the client at ease before and during a hearing. Her cross-border experience is extensive’.

Kara Swift of Family Law in Partnership advises on all aspects of private family law, supporting a wide range of clients following separation to resolve matters relating to children and financial matters with diligence and care. Kara was named Family Law Young Solicitor of the Year 2019 in the prestigious LexisNexis Family Law Awards. The award recognises a solicitor with under 5 years post qualification experience who has made an outstanding contribution in family law.

Click here to view Kara’s blog on the Family Courts and Lockdown.

For further information:

Kara Swift: https://www.flip.co.uk/profiles/kara-swift/

Francesca Dowse: https://www.4pb.com/barrister-profile/francesca-dowse/

FLiP’s Website: https://www.flip.co.uk/

FLiP’s ADR pages:

Mediation: https://www.flip.co.uk/family-mediation/

Arbitration: https://www.flip.co.uk/arbitration/

Negotiations/private FDRs: https://www.flip.co.uk/solicitor-led-negotiation-private-fdrs/

Collaborative practice: https://www.flip.co.uk/collaborative-practice/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/family-law-in-partnership/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/familylawinpartnership

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FLiPLtd

In this episode of the FLiP podcast we discuss communication and what happens to the communication between couples when they decide to end their romantic ties.

FLiP Associate Nicole Phillips leads the discussion with Gillian Bishop, one of the founders of FLiP, and our guest speaker, Dr Emma Loveridge the founder of Rafan House. Rafan House is an organisation which engages with individuals, families and organisations who need help dealing with everyday life. Rafan House boasts a broad team of mental health professionals with a range of specialisms and therapeutic approaches, all under one roof.

Family Law in Partnership (‘FLiP’) is a specialist family law firm where lawyers take a unique approach to family law. We balance our exceptional legal expertise with care and compassion, delivering intelligent and creative solutions while carefully managing any emotional impact. Our team includes not only specialist family lawyers, but also mediators, in house counsellors and family consultants so that our clients can get all the support they need under one roof.

Whether you are going through a divorce or making financial arrangements before or after you marry, FLiP will guide you through every turn with expertise and reassurance, always in partnership.

For expert legal advice, contact us today at E: [email protected] or T: 020 7420 5000.

Click here to download our thoughts from today’s episode.

Other links:

Rafan House’s Website: https://rafanhouse.com/

Dr Emma Loveridge: https://rafanhouse.com/our-team/

FLiP’s Website: https://www.flip.co.uk/

Nicole Phillips of FLiP: https://www.flip.co.uk/profiles/nicole-phillips/

Gillian Bishop of FLiP: https://www.flip.co.uk/profiles/gillian-bishop/

Divorce Diaries: https://divorcediaries.co.uk/

Taking the War Out of Our Words: The Art of Powerful Non-Defensive Communication by Sharon Strand Ellison: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Taking-War-Words-Non-defensive-Communication/dp/0972002103

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/family-law-in-partnership/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/familylawinpartnership

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FLiPLtd

In this podcast Nicole Phillips, a Senior Associate at FLiP is joined by Andrew Pearce, UKCP Registered Psychotherapist and in-house therapist at FLiP. Nicole and Andrew discuss the type of language used in the midst of a divorce or separation covering a range of topics such as:

• How language differs in Nicole’s practice to that of the language used in Andrew’s consulting room in a therapeutic environment
• The history of language of divorce and separation
• The invisible impact of language and the wider impact during a divorce/separation
• The formal language of divorce including the introduction of no fault divorce
• Use of informal language
• Language Matters movement with the Family Solutions Group and the 5 Ps concept (plain language, personal, proportionate language, problem solving language and positive futures).

Andrew is one of FLiP’s in-house therapists. Andrew is a UKCP Registered Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor with over 20 years experience. He is also a Certified Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). Andrew’s areas of particular interest include dealing with the impact of change, building resilience, conflict resolution and working to de-stigmatise mental health and minimise its impact. Andrew’s aim is to increase choice for those who want the freedom to be authentically who they really are.

Nicole is a Senior Associate solicitor and mediator at Family Law in Partnership. She handles all aspects of private family law, assisting and supporting clients who are navigating divorce or separation to resolve any financial or children issues that may arise. Nicole combines a warm, sympathetic manner with tactical nous and incisive judgment. Nicole is also collaboratively trained.

For further information:

Nicole Phillips: https://www.flip.co.uk/profiles/nicole-phillips/

Andrew Pearce: https://www.flip.co.uk/profiles/andrew-pearce/

FLiP’s Website: https://www.flip.co.uk/

FSG - Language Matters: https://www.familysolutionsgroup.co.uk/language-matters/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/family-law-in-partnership/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/familylawinpartnership

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FLiPLtd

In this podcast Hannah Greene, a Senior Associate at FLiP is joined by Jo Harrison, in-house therapist at FLiP. Hannah and Jo discuss Monica Heisey’s debut novel ‘Really Good, Actually’ and what it means to get divorced in your 20s.

**SPOILER ALERT – to any listener who has not yet read the book, the plot of the novel is discussed to some extent and the conversation may contain some spoilers.**

Jo and Hannah discuss a range of topics filtering from Monica’s novel, such as but not limited to:

• How divorcing looks in your 20s from a legal perspective and the common issues which may feature;
• How therapy can help an individual, no matter what their age, when going through a divorce or separation;
• The concept of “necessary narcissism”;
• Communication during the divorce process and after;
• The legal position on pets during a divorce;
• What is portrayed in the book which is general to divorce;
• Lessons learnt from the novel.

Hannah advises on all aspects of divorce and cohabitation, including financial and children matters, and on relationship agreements, including prenuptial and cohabitation agreements. A qualified collaborative lawyer, Hannah’s focus is on providing clear, pragmatic advice whilst maintaining an empathetic approach, taking all available opportunities to minimise conflict, where possible

Jo is very experienced in working as a therapist with individuals and couples who are separating. A former family lawyer, Jo has a depth of experience in being able to understand the legal process. She can work with clients, either individually or as a couple, to support them through the process. Clients can meet with Jo for an initial consultation at our offices in Central London to think about what help is required. This can be at any stage before, during, or after a divorce or separation.

For further information:

Hannah Greene: https://www.flip.co.uk/profiles/hannah-greene/

Jo Harrison: https://www.flip.co.uk/profiles/jo-harrison/

FLiP’s Website: https://www.flip.co.uk/

Really Good, Actually: https://www.waterstones.com/book/really-good-actually/monica-heisey/9780008511722

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/family-law-in-partnership/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/familylawinpartnership

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FLiPLtd

In this episode of the FLiP podcast, FLiP Director Helen Greenfield, leads a discussion with Chantal Hughes, Chief Executive at The Hampton Trust on the topic of domestic abuse and working with victims and perpetrators. Helen and Chantal cover a wide range of points such as:

• Who is referred to The Hampton Trust.
• The interventions offered by The Hampton Trust such as Project CARA.
• The language surrounding domestic abuse and coercive control.
• The stigma encompassing domestic abuse.
• The impacts of abuse on a family, in particular children who as defined by The Domestic Abuse Bill can also be victims of domestic abuse, with reference to the BBC documentary featuring Ian Wright which The Hampton Trust were involved with.
• Whether victims feel reassured by perpetrator support work and whether it can be said it is a safeguarding system for the victims.

About the Speakers

The Hampton Trust was founded in 1996 to deliver domestic violence perpetrator programmes within the criminal justice system. They have developed community based interventions for families experiencing domestic abuse alongside providing innovative criminal justice response.

Chantal Hughes has been part of The Hampton Trust since 2006 where she joined as the Domestic Abuse Services Manager before progressing to Deputy Chief Executive. She took a 4-month sabbatical in 2011 to work for a charity providing rehabilitation to street children in one of the largest slums in Africa and remains connected to the work in Kenya.

Taking up the role of CEO in 2013, Chantal has led the expansion of a range of domestic abuse and criminal justice interventions. She remains firmly committed to tackling the root cause of domestic abuse by holding perpetrators to account and ensuring the voice of victims and children are at the forefront of the work.

Helen Greenfield advises on all matters relating to family breakdown, divorce and cohabitation. She has a particular interest in helping those who have been affected by domestic abuse. Domestic abuse can include anything from isolating a person from their friends and family, monitoring their time or taking control over aspects of their everyday life (such as where they can go, who they can see, what to wear, their finances or when they can sleep. It can also include threats to hurt, to kill or even physical assault).

Helen recognises that the legal implications of domestic abuse are accompanied by a plethora of emotional and other issues, and she aims to ensure that clients are able to work through them with the right advice and support.

For further information:

Helen Greenfield: https://www.flip.co.uk/profiles/helen-greenfield/

Chantal Hughes: https://hamptontrust.org.uk/about-us/management/

FLiP’s Website: https://www.flip.co.uk/

The Hampton Trust’s Website: https://hamptontrust.org.uk/about-us/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/family-law-in-partnership/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/familylawinpartnership

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FLiPLtd