News Essentials: 31st October 2020

A brief summary of the essential family law news and cases from the last week: 

NEWS

Draft Homelessness Code of Guidance relating to the Domestic Abuse Bill published
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published a draft Homelessness Code of Guidance in respect of the Domestic Abuse Bill. Full story: Family Law Week.

Care leavers: new guidance to prevent homelessness
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published new guidance for councils to help ensure care leavers have the stable homes they need, and prevent them from becoming homeless. Full story: Family Law Week.

Just 3% of couples divorcing seek financial advice
People ‘often unaware’ of what they are entitled to and lack knowledge of pension rights. Full story: International Adviser.

Child Support Agency quarterly summary of statistics: June 2020
Quarterly statistics on the progress of the Child Support Agency (CSA) child support schemes to June 2020. Full story: Department for Work and Pensions.

Practice of remote hearings in family court can challenge fairness and empathy, finds new consultation - 27th Oct 2020
Remote or hybrid hearings have now been widely adopted in the family court in response to COVID-19 restrictions but, while many improvements have been made in the six months since they were introduced, both professionals and parents are reporting concerns about fairness and the ability to practice humanely. Full story: Nuffield Family Justice Observatory.

High court condemns lack of provisions in UK for suicidal teenager
Judge forced to send 16-year-old girl to unregulated placement due to lack of available NHS psychiatric intensive care beds. Full story: The Guardian.

Domestic abuse and sexual violence survivors encouraged to seek help during Welsh firebreak lockdown
As Wales moved towards the firebreak lockdown, the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt, issued a direct plea for friends and neighbours to look out for signs of domestic abuse, and encourage victims and survivors to seek help and escape from their homes if necessary. Full story: Family Law Week.

Women divorced in later life may be missing out on substantial state pensions
Tens of thousands of women who divorce later in life may be missing out on huge sums in state pension rights because of a "complex and little understood system", according to analysis from the financial consultancy LCP. Full story: Family Law Week.

8.7 million people report experiencing economic abuse
1.6 million see this begin as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. Full story: Family Law Week.

CASES

A (A Child), Re (Relocation) [2020] EWHC 2878 (Fam) (30 October 2020)
Application by mother for permission to relocate child to Slovakia. Permission granted. Full report: Bailii.

S (A Child : Finding of Fact) [2020] EWCA Civ 1382 (27 October 2020)
Care proceedings. Appeal by LA against finding that LA's allegation that child's injury had been inflicted by mother or her partner had not been established. Appeal allowed. Full report: Bailii.

Lancashire County Council v G (Unavailability of Secure Accommodation) [2020] EWHC 2828 (Fam) (26 October 2020)
Deprivation of liberty and secure placement applications in relation to 16 year-old girl, where only unregistered placement available. Full report: Bailii.