Updates in the Family Courts
Fact-finding and final welfare hearings In the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, most contested fact-finding or final welfare hearings in the Family Court were adjourned, in the expectation that normal working would resume relatively soon. Given that social distancing restrictions are likely to remain in place for many months, it is unlikely that there will be a return to the normal court working environment before the end of 2020 or even the spring of 2021.
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Working with the Family Courts during the COVID-19 pandemicPolicy position for stage 1 recovery: 1 The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) åclosed all its offices on 20 March 2020. Since this date as their default position all work with children, families and the family courts has been conducted remotely.
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The Employment Implications (or Lack Thereof) of Abuse of Migrant WorkersOn 22nd June 2016 the Supreme Court (Lady Hale with Lords Wilson, Reed, Hughes and Toulson) handed down probably one of the most significant decisions on the limits of the application of the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 addressing discrimination.
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Guidance on Positive Co-Parenting Programme and court updatesWe are all living in very difficult and uncertain times with many restrictions being made on our lives. This could impact on our emotional wellbeing, cause tension and arguments are likely to occur amongst people living together in these challenging circumstances, especially when children contact arrangements are considered.
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TREATING A WOMAN DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE SHE IS PREGNANTDiscriminating against a woman because she is pregnant, or suffers a pregnancy related illness or seeks to take maternity leave/ time off for ante-natal appointments has been unlawful for over 40 years. Despite this however, over 50% of women suffer discrimination in the workplace during the protected period.
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RETURNING FROM FURLOUGH - What to do if you feel vulnerable to catching COVID-19As lockdown starts to lift, more and more Employees will be returning to work. It is perfectly normal for Employees to feel anxious about their safety. Your Employer has a legal duty under Health & Safety legislation to provide you with a safe place to work. As part of that duty, Employers should be implementing policies to ensure that the workplace is safe for you to return to.
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FAMILY LAW -life after lockdown and online court hearingsMatthew Moore, Senior Partner at Gales Solicitors has been reflecting on the experience of online court hearings during lockdown. “Life under lockdown has changed how we live our daily lives. A lot of what used to be normal contact is now taking place online. The courts are no exception. Most hearings are currently taking place by telephone or video link. This has been an interesting experience as the court’s IT was not fully prepared for online working.
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UNFAIR DISMISSAL AND THE TWO YEAR RULE - Sarah England, Partner at Gales SolicitorsI speak to many employees who tell me that they feel that they have been unfairly dismissed at work but know that there is nothing that they can do because they haven’t been employed for at least two years. It is true to say that unless you have been employed for two years or more you are not able to bring a claim for ordinary unfair dismissal.
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FURLOUGH - A Question & Answer session with Sarah England from Gales SolicitorsCan I take annual leave whilst on Furlough? In the beginning…..it was thought that Employees were not permitted to take annual leave whilst on Furlough. For that reason, many Employees that were put on Furlough leave in March and at the beginning of April will probably have Furlough Agreements that state they are not permitted to take Annual leave during the Furlough period.
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Gales Solicitors welcomes Orla as Head of ConveyancingGales Solicitors welcomes Orla as Head of Conveyancing Bournemouth based Gales Solicitors, with offices in Winton and Tuckton, have welcomed Orla Gilligan to the team as their new Head of Conveyancing
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