Description

Family law is an immensely wide-ranging subject where no individual area has escaped some kind of statutory or procedural change over recent years. This handbook is aimed at the family law trainee and paralegal, but is a reference book for all family law practitioners. It is intensely practical and gives advice to all who work in the field of family law.

This book begins with the law firm: where the practitioner works, who works there and what they do. It then moves on to the most important people, the client, and how that professional relationship develops over time. The book explores how best to help the client both outside and inside the court room incorporating a full range of orders and procedures.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stuart Barlow is in the family team at Bhatia Best Solicitors. He has specialised in Family Law for over 40 years. His focus is now on representing Parents and other parties in Children Cases. He is a member of the Law Society Children Panel and Accredited Specialist with Resolution in Private Children and Cohabitation Law. He is the former Chief Assessor of the Law Society Family Law Panel and adjudicator for the Legal Aid Agency. He is a regular presenter of training courses for family lawyers throughout England and Wales and the author of several family law books.

CONTENTS

PART A - Firms, Files & Clients

Chapter 1 - The Structure of Law Firms

Chapter 2 - Internal Workings of a Law Firm

Chapter 3 - Roles in a Law Firm

Chapter 4 - Information Ahead of the First Meeting

Chapter 5 - The First Meeting With the Client

Chapter 6 - Follow Up Work After the First Meeting

Chapter 7 - Vulnerable Clients - Matters to Look Out For

Chapter 8 - Managing Clients' Expectations

Chapter 9 - Management of a Family Law File

Chapter 10 - Funding a Family Law Case

Chapter 11 - Closing a Family Law File

PART B - Orders

Chapter 12 - Family Court Orders

Chapter 13 - Divorce Proceedings

Chapter 14 - Financial Applications

Chapter 15 - Private Children Applications

Chapter 16 - Public Law Children Applications

Chapter 17 - Domestic Abuse Injunctions

Chapter 18 - Other Family Proceedings

PART C - Court

Chapter 19 - Arriving at Court

Chapter 20 - Inside the Court Room

Chapter 21 - Different Tribunals

Chapter 22 - Types of Hearings

Chapter 23 - Evidence on Oath

Chapter 24 - Remote Court Hearings

PART D - Procedures

Chapter 25 - Alternatives to Court Proceedings

Chapter 26 - Drafting Applications and Statements

Chapter 27 - Preparing Court Bundles

Chapter 28 - Instructing Counsel

Chapter 29 - Finding of Fact Hearings

Chapter 30 - Cafcass and Local Authority Reports

Chapter 31 - Litigants in Person & McKenzie Friends

Chapter 32 - Instructing Experts

Chapter 33 - Drafting Court Orders

Chapter 34 - Appeals

Chapter 35 - Enforcement of Court Orders

Chapter 36 - Thirty-Three Common Questions Asked by Clients in Family Cases