News Essentials: 24th July 2021

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

NEWS

Judge raises concern over lack of secure accommodation for troubled teen at ‘considerable risk’
A High Court judge has raised concern about a shortage of secure accommodation for troubled children after being told a teenage boy is in a “grave” situation. Full story: Care Appointments.

Judge praises council for "brave but proper decision" to end care proceedings
A Family Court judge has praised the London Borough of Bromley for its “brave but proper decision” to end care proceedings in case where a child was suspected to have suffered deliberate injury but was later found not to. Full story: Local Government Lawyer.

Professionals say remote hearings in the family court still need improvements to ensure fairness
Nearly two thirds of professionals responding to a new survey felt that more needs to be done to ensure that remote hearings - now commonplace in the family court because of COVID-19 - were fair and worked smoothly. Full story: Nuffield Family Justice Observatory.

The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2021
These Rules amend the Family Procedure Rules 2010. Statutory Instrument.

How Legal Loans Racked Up Half a Million Debt for a Standard Divorce
“Dangerous” forms of litigation lending are facing increasing criticism in the family courts, as vulnerable divorcees are driven into a colossal level of debt - while top lawyers make thousands of pounds in administration fees. Full story: Byline Times.

‘Unsustainable pressures’ lead Cafcass to leave ‘less urgent’ cases unallocated across region
Family courts body chief says private law prioritisation policy, introduced across West Midlands, will leave children living longer with impact of conflict, but is required to deal with ‘unmanageable’ workloads. Full story: Community Care.

Cohabiting couples to benefit from changes to bereavement benefit rules
The Department for Work and Pensions has announced plans to extend bereavement support to cohabiting couples with children. Full story: Family Law Week.

Digital divorce service to replace paper D8 form from September 2021
From early September 2021, HM Courts and Tribunals Service will be mandating the digital divorce process. Full story: Family Law Week.

CASES

G, Re (Young Person: Threat to Life: Unavailability of Secure Placement) [2021] EWHC 2066 (Fam) (22 July 2021)
Application by LA for secure accommodation order in relation to 15 year old boy subject to a credible threat to his life; no secure placement available. Full report: Bailii.

MB v JB (financial remedies - financial misconduct and non-disclosure in small money case)(HHJ Vincent) [2020] EWFC B69 (07 August 2020)
Judgment in financial remedy proceedings in small money case, involving allegations of financial misconduct and non-disclosure against the wife. Full report: Bailii.

H v R (Habitual Residence in Pakistan) [2021] EWHC 2024 (Fam) (22 July 2021)
Application by mother for return of child from Pakistan. Held that child is habitually resident in Pakistan. Full report: Bailii.

C, Re (Placement with kinship carers under care order) [2021] EWFC B38 (26 March 2021)
Care proceedings concerning child aged one year eight months, in which LA sought placement with kinship carers. Full report: Bailii.

H and Others (Children) (Fact Finding: Rib Fractures) [2021] EWHC 2041 (Fam) (11 June 2021
Fact-finding concerning cause of injuries to child. Full report: Bailii.