Child Contact and Access

BTO Family Law Team / September 25, 2023

Sophie Turner v Joe Jonas – When Everything is Not So Perfectly Fine

Sophie Turner files wrongful retention court proceedings against Joe Jonas, requesting that their children be returned to the UK.

You know what they say, a week is a long time in show business. In that short space of time the highly publicised divorce of Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas has gone from “amicable” to not so Perfectly Fine as she has today (Friday, 22 September) filed papers in the UK asserting that their children are being wrongfully retained in New York City and seeking their return to live with her in the UK.

BTO Family Law Team / February 13, 2023

Domestic violence and children

The news of the deaths of Emma Pattison and her daughter Lettie, believed to be at the hands of Emma’s husband and Lettie’s father, has led to shock waves and widespread condemnation in the media and society. In her tribute to her friend and colleague the head of the Girls Day School Trust, Cheryl Giovannoni, made the chilling comment that ‘it doesn’t matter how brilliant or successful a woman is she is only as safe as her male partner allows her to be’. Her comment highlights the fact that domestic abuse has no niche and indeed transcends society. It also brings into sharp focus the fact that in many instances children are not protected in these relationships and indeed can be victims themselves. This interplay between domestic abuse and child contact is the subject of a study by the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research published just this month.

BTO Family Law Team / July 1, 2022

How do separated parents do holidays?

School’s out for summer

Holidays are here again…The start of the summer holidays marks great excitement for many children across Scotland this week. However, some of their parents may not feel the same way. Holiday time can be very stressful for parents and carers who can be juggling work and/or other commitments with providing care for their children. It can be particularly difficult for parents who are separated. When organising holidays these parents may be trying to accommodate not only their own schedules, those of their children and their former partners, but potentially also those of any new partners, their children and the new partners’ former partners! It can, therefore, all become very overwhelming.

Kirstine Macrae / May 10, 2022

Do I need a letter of consent to take my child abroad?

Summer 2022 is expected to be a boom season for families travelling abroad after the pandemic and restrictions put paid to many holiday plans for two years running.

Kirstine Macrae / December 22, 2021

Top Tips for Facilitating Handovers

This time of year, during the festive period, can often be particularly difficult for parents who are separated. The prospect of not spending the whole of your child’s Christmas celebrations with them can be daunting and highly emotional. This can understandably lead to tension between you and your ex-partner. In order to minimise the acrimony your child is exposed to when they are moving between their parents, we have noted some useful guidance, which may be of assistance where cases involve direct handover, below:

Lesley Gordon / October 1, 2020

Grandparent’s rights to contact with their Grandchildren

With Grandparent’s Day this Sunday, 4 October 2020, we thought it was the perfect time to discuss grandparent’s rights to contact with their grandchildren.

Beverley Addison / August 31, 2020

Everything you need to know about the new Children (Scotland) Bill

Last week the Scottish Parliament unanimously passed the Children (Scotland) Bill. The Bill will now become law, bringing with it some of the most significant changes to the family court system in almost 15 years. [Read more…] about Everything you need to know about the new Children (Scotland) Bill

Lesley Gordon / March 31, 2020

New Guidance on Compliance with Court Orders amid COVID-19 Outbreak

On Friday 27 March 2020, The Lord President issued further guidance on Court Orders relating to Parental Responsibilities and Rights in light of the current coronavirus crisis.

BTO Family Law Team / March 25, 2020

Covid-19 and Family Law

We are all currently living in unprecedented times due to the onslaught of the Covid-19 disease. Individuals and families are requiring to isolate from elderly relatives, friends and work colleagues. All those familiar mutual networks of support that we have taken for granted are now dramatically curtailed.

BTO Family Law Team / March 12, 2020

Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Other Important Dates – Who Gets the Kids for Special Occasions?

Every family has its own traditions. Whether they involve afternoon tea with Mum on Mother’s Day, watching football with Dad on Father’s Day, egg rolling at Easter, or something more unique, what is certain is that these traditions are central to family life.