News Essentials: 4th July 2020 (for what it's worth...)

A brief summary of the essential family law news and cases from the last week, and after the feast of last week, this week it's the famine...

NEWS

Domestic Abuse Bill 2020: letter from ministers on the first tranche of amendments
The Government has published a letter from ministers to Jess Phillips MP on the first tranche of the government amendments tabled for Commons report stage of the Domestic Abuse Bill. Full story: Family Law Week.

New video tech to increase remote hearings in family courts
Ministers have confirmed that a new video platform, which they say will enable more remote cases to be heard safely and securely, is being rolled out to the family and civil courts. Full story: Family Law Week.

Toolkit for the HCCH 1980 Child Abduction Convention in times of COVID-19
Following the publication of the HCCH COVID-19 Toolkit, the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Convention has prepared a Toolkit for the effective application of the 1980 Child Abduction Convention in times of COVID-19. Full story: Family Law Week.

Divorce ruling gives 'untrammelled licence' to go forum shopping
A Scottish aristocrat has lost a Supreme Court appeal regarding the finances of his divorce in a ruling that will reignite debate on forum shopping. Full story: Law Society Gazette. See report, below.

CASES

LP v AE [2020] EWHC 1668 (Fam) (29 June 2020)
Appeal against refusal of application of mother in child arrangement proceedings for Legal Services Payment Order. Appeal allowed. Full report: Family Law Week.

GC v A County Council & Ors [2020] EWCA Civ 848 (03 July 2020)
Appeal by children's guardian in care proceedings against decision at a case management hearing to grant the local authority permission to withdraw the proceedings. Appeal allowed, and directions given to enable fact-finding hearing to go ahead as originally planned. Full report: Bailii.

T (A Child: Refusal of Adoption Order), Re [2020] EWCA Civ 797 (02 July 2020)
Appeal by maternal grandmother and her husband against refusal of adoption order. Appeal allowed and adoption order made. Full report: Bailii.

Villiers v Villiers [2020] UKSC 30 (1 July 2020)
Appeal by H against order that English court had jurisdiction to make a maintenance order, despite divorce taking place in Scotland. Appeal dismissed. Full report: Supreme Court. For summary, see here.