A Moment With... Fenton Elliott

Can a parent take their children abroad after divorce? Chris Sutton explains what the court really considers in relocation cases.

When a marriage ends and one parent wants to move abroad, or even just to a different part of the country, what happens to the children?

In this episode, Simon Fenton talks to Chris Sutton, Head of Family Law, about relocation cases. Chris explains the difference between an internal relocation (moving within the country) and an external one (leaving it entirely), and why the reasons behind a move are so rarely about the children, even though the children's best interests are what the court cares about most.

He walks through what a strong relocation case needs to show, from schooling and medical care in the new location to how contact with the parent left behind will actually work in practice. He also explains why the starting point in these cases is the current arrangement, and why the parent proposing the move carries the burden of showing it's the right one.

Watch the full episode to hear Chris's take on what makes a relocation plan succeed, and what happens when it doesn't.

Worried that instructing a solicitor will make you look like you're going in all guns blazing? You're not the only one.

In this episode of A Moment With..., Simon Fenton sits down with Chris Sutton, Head of Family Law at Fenton Elliott, to talk about whether hiring a lawyer is really the aggressive move people assume it to be.

Chris explains why taking legal advice is simply good sense rather than a declaration of war, how a resolution focused approach can keep costs down for everyone involved, and what to do if you're worried about how your ex partner will react.

Whether it's a family matter or a workplace issue, taking advice early rarely does any harm. It can save a lot of stress, and money, down the line.

Redundancy is one of the most common (and most misunderstood) words in employment law.

In this episode of "A Moment With...", Chris Sutton talks to Simon Fenton about what actually makes a role redundant, the two stage process employers must follow to keep it fair, and where things commonly go wrong, from reorganisations that blur the lines, to long term sickness absence, to the classic mistake of making someone redundant and then quietly replacing them.

Simon also shares a real example of a redundancy handled badly, and explains why getting advice at the start of the process (rather than after a challenge lands) makes all the difference.

Topics covered:

• What actually makes a role redundant
• The two stage redundancy process
• Collective consultation for 20+ redundancies
• Redundancy and long term sickness absence
• How employees can challenge a redundancy process
• Why early advice prevents costly mistakes

If you're an employer thinking through a potential redundancy, or you're not sure whether your situation qualifies, we're here to help.

If we can help, we will 💙

When parents separate, what does the law actually say about what the children want?

In this episode of A Moment With... Simon Fenton is joined by Chris Sutton, Head of Family Law at Fenton Elliott, to talk through how a child's wishes and feelings factor into decisions about where they live and who they spend time with.

Chris covers:

• Why children's wishes sit within the legal welfare checklist, but aren't the whole story
• How age and maturity affect how much weight a child's views carry
• What happens when parents give conflicting accounts of what their children want
• The role of an independent CAFCAS officer in finding out what a child really thinks

A practical, honest look at a question most separating parents ask themselves at some point.

If we can help, we will 💙

Buying a business? Then you need to know about TUPE.

In this episode, Chris Sutton sits down with Simon Fenton, Head of the Employment Law team at Fenton Elliott Solicitors, to break down one of the most misunderstood areas of business acquisitions: the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations, better known as TUPE.

Simon explains what TUPE actually means for buyers and employees, including:

• Why it matters whether you're buying shares or buying the business itself
• What happens to employees' contracts, pay, and pension arrangements when a business changes hands
• The serious financial penalties for failing to consult employees properly
• Why can't you simply "agree" your way out of TUPE
• How to handle redundancies the right way when streamlining a newly acquired team

Whether you're buying, selling, or advising on a business acquisition, this episode is essential listening before any deal is signed.

When a relationship breaks down, sorting out arrangements for the children can feel overwhelming. But it doesn't have to end up in court.

In this episode, Simon Fenton sits down with Chris Sutton, Head of Family Law at Fenton Elliott Solicitors, to talk through everything parents need to know about child arrangements after a divorce or separation.

They cover:

• Who has parental responsibility and what that actually means
• Why emotions can complicate arrangements and what to do about it
• How mediation works and why it can help
• Whether child arrangements can change as children grow up
• Court orders: when you need one and when you don't
• The rules around taking your child abroad, including to Scotland and Ireland

Whether you're at the beginning of a separation or trying to work through a disagreement about the children, this episode is full of honest, practical guidance.

If we can help, we will 💙

👉 To speak with Chris Sutton and the family law team at Fenton Elliott Solicitors, visit https://fentonelliott.co.uk

Most people know what a grievance at work is—but far fewer understand the consequences of raising one. In this episode, Chris Sutton and Simon Fenton explore what really happens when workplace frustrations reach breaking point, why some issues should be tackled sooner rather than later, and how a simple complaint can quickly evolve into something much bigger. From office politics and workplace conflict to allegations of bullying and harassment, they unpack the realities that employees and employers often underestimate.

The conversation also reveals the difficult balancing act employers face when a grievance lands on their desk. What happens when a complaint is made against a manager? What if a grievance intersects with a redundancy process? And why can trying to avoid formal procedures sometimes make matters significantly worse? This episode offers a fascinating look behind the scenes of one of the most sensitive areas of employment law.

Whether you're an employee wondering whether to speak up or an employer trying to navigate a difficult workplace issue, this discussion highlights the importance of timing, process, and understanding what a successful outcome actually looks like.

• Why raising a grievance may already be a sign that the problem has gone too far
• The workplace issues that should never be ignored
• When an informal conversation can be more powerful than a formal complaint
• The hidden risks employers face when investigating grievances
• What happens when multiple workplace processes collide
• Why the outcome people want is often different from what they first expect

Key Takeaways

Can you really handle your own divorce without a lawyer?

In this episode, Simon Fenton puts that exact question to family law specialist Chris Sutton, and the answer is far more complicated than most people expect. While the divorce process itself might seem straightforward, the hidden legal and financial risks lurking beneath the surface can follow people for years after they think everything is settled.

From future financial claims to poorly drafted agreements, this conversation reveals why “simple” divorces often aren’t as simple as they first appear. The discussion explores real-world examples where DIY divorces and online legal documents created major problems years later, including cases reopened over a decade after separation. There’s also a timely warning about relying too heavily on AI-generated legal paperwork and why convincing-looking documents can still be dangerously wrong.

For anyone considering divorce, trying to save money on legal fees, or wondering whether they really need professional advice, this episode offers eye-opening insight into the things most people don’t realise until it’s too late.

Key Takeaways

• Why divorce and financial settlement are two very different things
• The hidden risk of “simple” DIY divorces
• How future life changes can reopen old claims
• The costly loopholes buried in poorly drafted agreements
• Why AI-generated legal documents may not be what they seem
• The small legal steps that could prevent years of problems later

In employment law, significant mistakes often occur before anyone seeks advice. In this episode, Chris Sutton and Simon Fenton discuss common scenarios in which employers act impulsively, only to later realize the consequences of their actions. Through real-life examples, one being a poorly timed redundancy conversation, they illustrate how even small missteps can escalate into serious legal risks.

This discussion isn't solely focused on what goes wrong; it also emphasises what could have been avoided. By understanding the importance of proper procedures and knowing when to pause and reassess a decision, businesses can better navigate the hidden risks they face daily. Additionally, the conversation highlights the critical role of timing in seeking legal advice, illustrating how a wrong move can lead to costs far exceeding expectations.

Key Takeaways

• Why “hindsight” is a costly way to handle employment issues
• The real reason process matters more than you think
• A simple mistake that can trigger serious legal consequences
• When to seek advice (and why most people do it too late)
• How small decisions can escalate into tribunal claims
• The value of getting a second opinion before taking action

Divorce involves more than just emotions; it requires decisions, negotiations and often disagreements over what happens next. In this episode, Chris Sutton explains the concept of Financial Dispute Resolution (FDR) and discusses why more couples are opting for a private version to achieve faster resolutions. Although it may sound like a formal legal process, an FDR is actually a crucial moment where outcomes can change significantly, often before a case even goes to trial.

Here’s the catch: while the traditional court pathway can take months or longer, a private FDR offers speed, focus, and attention that is hard to beat. So why don’t more people choose this option? This conversation reveals the trade-offs, including cost considerations and strategic advantages, and highlights how a single day of effective negotiation can save months of uncertainty.

Key Takeaways

• What an FDR is and why it matters in divorce cases
• The key differences between court-led and private FDRs
• How timing can significantly impact your outcome
• How expert opinions can help overcome stalled negotiations
• The hidden benefits of having a dedicated “judge” for your case
• Why paying more upfront might save you much more in the long run