News Essentials: 4th September 2021

A brief summary of the essential family law news and cases from the last week (mercifully short and quiet - but expect normal service to be resumed shortly...): 

NEWS

Judge: bespoke placements for children will be ‘considerably harder’ following unregulated provision ban
Judge authorises unregulated placement for 15-year-old girl but will reconsider following upcoming law change banning use for under-16s. Full story: Community Care.

MoJ pushes on with court fee increases despite majority opposition
The government is set to impose a widespread increase in court fees - apparently ignoring the majority of consultation respondents who opposed such a measure. Full story: Law Society Gazette.

Voucher scheme boost to help thousands more families resolve disputes away from court
Thousands more families are set to benefit from a government mediation scheme that has been helping separating parents resolve disputes away from court. Full story: Ministry of Justice.

CASES

AR v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, HM Revenue and Customs and LR (No.2) (Child support - calculation of income) [2019] UKUT 151 (AAC) (8 May 2019)
Child support case under 2012 Scheme - Meaning of ‘latest available tax year’ - Whether regs 4 & 36 of Child Support Maintenance Calculations Regulations 2012 are in conflict - Application in cases where NRP subject to PAYE real time information procedures but also required to lodge P11D and self-assessment return but where no tax liability following such lodgement. Full report: Bailii.

R v B (Stranded : Habitual Residence : Forum Conveniens) [2020] EWHC 1041 (Fam) (07 February 2020)
Application by mother for orders enabling return of children from Saudi Arabia, where she and the children were stranded. Full report: Bailii.