Rachel Nicholl

@Katelizelliott @FamilyLawHour Agreed, one would think that VAT was thought about when considering the affordability of school fees

@FamilyLawHour Surely with all the press coverage pre the election and Labour being clear of their intentions regarding this policy change it could not be said in relation to recent orders the VAT possibility makes the orders made or committed to now unaffordable?

Q4: What should happen if parents who had recently reached an agreement on school fees and are now seeking to renege from it in light of the VAT increases? Will they be successful? #familylawhour

Our Horsham team is expanding and looking for exceptional Family Solicitors and Paralegals to join our multi-award-winning team. If you're looking for a new opportunity to join a truly unique practice, then get in touch: ow.ly/xVeO50R8hua #jobs #hiring #familylawjobs

@FamilyLawHour Absolutely, it is knowledge building for students and valuable support for Lip’s. However I agree that not too much should be expected in the circumstances

Q3: Law schools partner with Support Through Court to enable law students to support LiPs as charity volunteers, whilst developing the key skills of providing practical and emotional support. Do you see the value in this for LiPs and future legal professionals? #familylawhour

@HannahGW_FLP @FamilyLawHour Absolutely agree. Some people, and this does not just apply to LiP, may also not have the resource to able to connect to remote hearings

@FamilyLawHour Actually managing to contact the court? We’re all used to last minute emails and having to constantly chase for things, but I cannot imagine how stressful that must be if you’re not in the know.

Q1: What do you perceive to be the greatest challenges for LiPs outside of the court room? #familylawhour

@FamilyLawHour Common response so far, but procedure and knowledge, both of which are understandable

@FamilyLawHour It will ultimately depend on the equity, and the individuals corresponding mortgage capacity (plus any investments in their name)

Q4: Even where a property is owned equally by both people, have you come across situations where this leaves one person unable to afford to purchase an alternative property? #FamilyLawHour

@FamilyLawHour Yes but there is a balance, and the worry of a costs order can aid settlement

Q3: Are the cost implications in terms of funding and risks of costs order prohibitive to an unmarried person bringing a claim? #FamilyLawHour

@FamilyLawHour It would certainly help!

POLL: Should it be compulsory for the TR1 to confirm how the property is intended to be owned before registration can be completed? #familylawhour

@FamilyLawHour Deposit came from the owners sole resources and for mortgage reasons

Q2: What reasons are you normally given to explain why a family home (for an unmarried couple) has been purchased in one person's sole name?  #FamilyLawHour

@KarinKGW @FamilyLawHour Agreed. The soft skills, and skills I learnt generally, in my collaborative training, are invaluable to my day to day work. The training itself has far reaching benefits

@FamilyLawHour No enough firms are prepared to fund DR training for younger practitioners

Q2: What do you see as barriers to working collaboratively and how can they be overcome? #familylawhour

@KarinKGW @FamilyLawHour @TashFamilyLaw I agree about the public awareness point. I often find clients are aware of mediation as a concept, but not so familiar with the collaborative process

@FamilyLawHour @TashFamilyLaw Yes I do. I think there is more public awareness of mediation and lawyers can assist in the process without any specific training as they can in arbitration. Lawyers generally are less inclined to sell the collaborative process to their clients

Q1: Do you think clients find it more difficult to engage in collaborative practice compared with mediation or arbitration? #familylawhour

@FamilyLawHour It really depends on the information they are provided about each process method. A clear explanation of the options, helps clients make fully informed decisions

Q3: Do you think clients understand out of court settlement options (including collaborative practice) and how do they choose which is right for them? #familylawhour

2023 triathlon season has started. European Champs in Madrid turned duathlon due to poor water quality. Medalled and 2 in age category. Not too bad for a swimmer!

Our world-first Nova virtual legal assistant for divorce & separation provides guidance and reassurance at a time when people need it most. Powered by proven AI technology, Nova is helping thousands of people find the expert support they need: novalaw.co.uk #ResConf23

@FamilyLawHour Informed, yes.

Q2: Sticking with the same case, should the family court be informed by substantive criminal concepts eg consent when considering allegations of sexual assault and rape [§13 – 17]? #familylawhour

@FamilyLawHour A lot of the terms have been said, but I think there is a tendency to over emphasis for example using words like ‘extremely’ or ‘wholly’ before inappropriate (just as an example)

Q3: Which family law terms do you think are ripe for change and why? #familylawhour

@LBDLegal @PLBeckett7 @FamilyLawHour I did this recently, and it worked!

@PLBeckett7 @FamilyLawHour Me too. I actually write to the lawyer concerned and ask that they address me as 'Lisa' not 'Sirs' or 'Sir/Madam'! It generally works but there are still some that just can't break the habit

@Katelizelliott @FamilyLawHour Absolutely.being drawn into litigation by correspondence is so unhelpful. The correspondence is very rarely seen by a judge, so what is really the benefit of sending it

@FamilyLawHour Reflective practice definitely helps you manage and process these types of communications as does being in a supportive environment. RP also helps you not get drawn into litigation by correspondence and remain solution focused.

Q2: Have you ever experienced the negative effects of confrontational language on yourself and other colleagues? #familylawhour

@LBDLegal @FamilyLawHour Gosh that is awful, and helps no one

@FamilyLawHour Most definitely. I don't mind admitting that I was once reduced to tears after an 'aggressive' call from another lawyer

I hear you, sometimes to point where you open the comms dreading what it will say