Jurisdiction: Keeping within the limits

Rebecca Viola and Arabella Ho You analyse the court’s approach where the wardship jurisdiction was found to be limited by the power of another public authority The courts may grant an injunction ex parte but there are limited circumstances in which it is appropriate to apply without notice, ie only where proper notice is impossible …
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Financial provision: A rare thing

David Wilkinson navigates the leading authorities on applications under s27 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 The Court of Appeal’s judgment in Villiers is based upon the status quo ante as regards the jurisdictional position, and sets out in helpful detail the correct approach to the determination of s27, MCA 1973 applications, including what matters …
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International children: Forward planning

Nicole Macdonald analyses the approach of the courts in non-Hague Convention cases post-Brexit An oral application that is not recorded in the order, either by way of a recital recording the application, or by way of direction excusing the need for a formal application, is not sufficiently clear when s7(c)(i), FLA 1986 requires absolute clarity. …
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In practice: Out of the ordinary

Katie McCann highlights some of the issues that can arise in high-net-worth financial cases Before deciding on the most appropriate forum for a high-net-worth client, it is best practice to obtain advice from a specialist lawyer in the other potential jurisdictions so as to determine where the client would do ‘best’ in any financial proceedings. …
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Jurisdiction: After Brexit

Simon Adamyk and Jessica Powers examine the current judicial approach to jurisdictional challenges on forum non conveniens grounds Post-Brexit, jurisdictional issues are determined, for the most part, in accordance with common law principles. Al Assam v Tsouvelekakis [2022] was concerned with the funds of two Cypriot trusts, the AAA Family Trust and the Hamza Family …
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Jurisdiction: Only with good reason

Harry White discusses circumstances in which the court’s residual parens patriae jurisdiction may be utilised where a child is a British national but not habitually resident in England and Wales In order for the court to exercise the residual jurisdiction there must exist circumstances which are sufficiently compelling to require or make it necessary that …
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Nuptial agreements: Place of preference

Emily Finn considers the approach of the courts to choice of law clauses in nuptial agreements If nuptial agreements are usually binding in the parties’ chosen jurisdiction, that should act as a strong indication to the court in England and Wales that parties intend to be bound by the terms, including a choice of law …
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Enforcement: Continuing relevance

Molly Betts examines the ongoing significance of the EU Maintenance Regulation in relation to non-EU member states It was argued on behalf of the father that, had the proceedings which were actually issued in Monaco been issued in another member state, then those proceedings would have had priority under the EU Maintenance Regulation and the …
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International focus: Out in the cold?

Victoria Batstone and Sean Hilton highlight potential issues if the UK is unable to rejoin the Lugano Convention 2007 It is increasingly difficult for family lawyers to provide clear and certain advice to multinational clients who are considering issuing proceedings. The European Commission’s (on behalf of the European Union) block in relation to the UK’s …
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Probate: A far from minor inconvenience

The court has provided welcome clarity on applications to court for authority to sell a property abroad on behalf of a minor. Remi Aiyela explains The judge decided that it was plainly in Ilyas’ best interests that the property be sold at a good sale price higher than the current valuation. Re Shanavazi [2021] was …
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