News
Amy Connell returns from maternity leave
We are pleased to welcome back Amy Connell to chambers after her recent maternity leave. Amy specialises in Family Law with particular emphasis on Public and Private Law children proceedings. Before joining Pump Court Chambers, she was a tenant at Stour Chambers after relocating to Kent, having previously been in practice at the Bar in London and […]
Interim Payments – The Low-Down (including some practical tips)
WHAT IS AN INTERIM PAYMENT? An Interim Payment (“IP”) is defined in CPR 25.1(1)(k) as a “payment by a defendant on account of any damages, debt or other sum (except costs) which the court may hold the defendant liable to pay”. In effect, it is a sum of money advanced to a claimant from the […]
The Law Commission’s Review on Financial Remedies
Join Jennifer Lee of Pump Court and star guest, Professor David Hodson OBE, KC (Hons) MCIArb, joint co-founder and senior partner at The International Family Law Group, for a thought-provoking podcast on the Law Commission’s review of the laws which determine financial provision on divorce or the ending of a civil partnership. The Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 Act […]
Charles Gabb and Mark Ruffell successfully prosecute members of Basingstoke drugs network
The leader of the county lines drugs gang was jailed for eight years at Salisbury Crown Court on Tuesday 5th September for conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine. Twelve members of the drugs gang had already been prosecuted for their involvement in the conspiracy. It brings the total sentence for all parties involved in the […]
Charles Gabb and Mark Ruffell prosecute Hampshire drugs gang
Charles Gabb and Mark Ruffell have successfully prosecuted the members of a gang who supplied cocaine across Portsmouth and laundered millions of pounds of cash. The gang leader was jailed for 18 years and 5 months at Winchester Crown Court on Tuesday 5 September, after admitting to conspiring to supply cocaine in Portsmouth and the […]
Pump Court Family Law Podcast nominated in the Family Law Commentator of the Year category at LexisNexis Family Law Awards 2023
We are delighted to announce that the Pump Court Family Law Podcast has been nominated in the Family Law Commentator of the Year category at this year’s LexisNexis Family Law Awards. Now in its twelfth year, the Family Law Awards were launched in 2011 to recognise the important work of family lawyers, and celebrate their […]
George’s Law
This podcast contains discussion of baby loss, which some listeners may find upsetting. Keeley Lengthorn of Taylor Rose MW speaks to host Imogen Robins about her awe inspiring campaign for statutory leave for baby loss under 24 weeks of pregnancy. Keeley talks frankly about her own experiences which led her to be a campaigner, and […]
Domestic Abuse tactics in the Family Courts – how do we achieve cultural change?
This contribution will consider new case law together with the recently published report by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner (‘the Commissioner’) examining the family courts’ handling of domestic abuse. The report highlights how victims and survivors are being subjected to continued abuse by perpetrators in private family law proceedings, resulting in re-traumatisation[1] and the need for […]
When is a zombie knife a zombie knife?
The 2019 Offensive Weapons Act made it an offence, for the first time, to simply possess certain offensive weapons in private[1]. Acknowledged as an increase in interference in the private lives of the public, yet deemed necessary to tackle violent crime, the legislation was limited to certain types of offensive weapon. Included on that list […]
Santiago v Motor Insurers’ Bureau [2023] EWCA Civ 838 – considerations re access to justice can affect the recoverability of disbursements
The Court of Appeal ruling in Aldred v Cham [2019] EWCA Civ 1780, is often relied upon by defendants in road traffic accident claims that cease to continue under the Pre-Action Protocol for Low Value Personal Injury Claims in Road Traffic Accidents 2013 (RTA Protocol) – specifically, as to the recoverability of disbursements pursuant to […]
Top-up child maintenance and the impact of CMX v EJX
Helen Brander and Edward Boydell discuss top-up child maintenance and the impact of CMX v EJX. To download please click here.
Catherine Ellis considers the recent CA case of G&H (Leave to revoke placement order) [2023] EWCA Civ 768 (part two)
Change of Circumstances The second issue determined by the appeal court was whether a change of mind by a family member about putting themselves forward as a potential carer for the children can, without more, amount to a change of circumstances within the meaning of s24(3) (the court cannot give leave “unless satisfied that there […]