News and Articles

The Agreement you need to get right

27 November 2019 For many married couples separating the thought of sorting out finances can often seem overwhelming and stressful. Many clients will often ask why same is necessary and why in particular there needs to be... READ

Dispelling the myths surrounding what happens when a relationship breaks down.

07 August 2019 Having provided advice and representation in this area of law for many years, we are aware that frequently there can be confusion and misunderstanding about the legal process when a relationship breaks down.  Here... READ

An overview of the grounds for divorce in Northern Ireland

16 April 2019 There has been much talk in the press recently about the problems facing those couples who want to seek a divorce but who do not want to embark on an adversarial process of issuing... READ

Custody and Access – the Law in Northern Ireland

26 March 2019 In general, it will be presumed that children should continue to have a relationship with both parents following a relationship breakdown however there are no set rules to determine the frequency and duration of... READ

A friendly Divorce? Explaining the Collaborative process

The concept of a collaborative divorce is based on the shared belief of all those participating, that it is in the best interests of the parties and their families to avoid the often adversarial... READ

Dissolution of Civil Partnerships in Northern Ireland – what is the process?

If you have been together in your civil partnership and have the grounds to issue proceedings, papers will be drafted and lodged on your behalf with the matrimonial office.  Once the proceedings are served... READ

Co-habitation – what happens when a relationship breaks down?

One common scenario, in which we are asked to help, is a when a couple co-habit in a house which is registered in the name of only one of those parties and the other... READ

Resolving Children’s Law Issues following a Relationship Breakdown

The relevant legislation covering this area of law is The Children (NI) Order 1995.  Article 8 Orders replace the old ‘custody and access’ orders. There are 4 main types of Article 8 Order which... READ

International Child Abduction – The Facts

The main legislation covering child abduction from Northern Ireland are the 1980 Hague Convention and Brussels II Revisited.  Both apply to a long list of countries which have ratified those instruments within their domestic... READ

Child and Spousal Maintenance in Northern Ireland – The Facts

ARTICLE – CHILD AND SPOUSAL MAINTENANCE IN NORTHERN IRELAND – THE FACTS When dealing with issues of maintenance following a marriage or relationship breakdown, there are 2 separate areas to look at; firstly any... READ