FLiP - Family Law in Partnership

In this episode of the FLiP podcast, Senior Associate Hannah Greene and FLiP’s in-house Divorce Consultant and Individual & Relationship Therapist Jo Harrison discuss how couples can manage their mental load once they separate.

In this wide-ranging discussion, Hannah and Jo look at how tasks within a relationship are often divided and the impact a separation may have on mental load as individuals seek to resume roles which they may have relinquished during the relationship. There is an acknowledgement that many separated parents wish to be seen as a “competent parent” as they move into the next chapter of their lives, but this can be hard and it can take some adjustment.

Jo suggests that the key to managing the transition successfully is goodwill and fostering a good relationship through communication and an acknowledgement of the contribution their former partner has made and is making: “The better that you get on with your former partner, the easier it will be.”

Hannah and Jo discuss the importance of building trust and sharing information with an acceptance that this can often take time to develop. Tread carefully and delicately, and think about your communication in terms of timing and tone. Appreciate and accept that your former partner may do things differently.

At FLiP we have a team of Divorce Consultants and Individual & Relationship Therapists who have a wealth of experience in helping couples to improve their relationships, whether they are together or separating or separated. Our team offer a place to reflect on relationship issues in a confidential and stigma-free way. To learn more, visit our dedicated page found here.

Jo Harrison is a Divorce Consultant and Individual & Relationship Therapist at FLiP. She is very experienced in working with individuals and couples who are separating.

Hannah Greene is a Senior Associate at FLiP. She advises on all aspects of divorce and cohabitation, including financial and children matters, and on relationship agreements, including prenuptial and cohabitation agreements. A qualified collaborative lawyer, Hannah’s focus is on providing clear, pragmatic advice whilst maintaining an empathetic approach, taking all available opportunities to minimise conflict, where possible.

In this episode of the FLiP podcast, FLiP Director Helen Greenfield, leads a discussion with Chantal Hughes, Chief Executive at The Hampton Trust on the topic of domestic abuse and working with victims and perpetrators. Helen and Chantal cover a wide range of points such as:

• Who is referred to The Hampton Trust.
• The interventions offered by The Hampton Trust such as Project CARA.
• The language surrounding domestic abuse and coercive control.
• The stigma encompassing domestic abuse.
• The impacts of abuse on a family, in particular children who as defined by The Domestic Abuse Bill can also be victims of domestic abuse, with reference to the BBC documentary featuring Ian Wright which The Hampton Trust were involved with.
• Whether victims feel reassured by perpetrator support work and whether it can be said it is a safeguarding system for the victims.

About the Speakers

The Hampton Trust was founded in 1996 to deliver domestic violence perpetrator programmes within the criminal justice system. They have developed community based interventions for families experiencing domestic abuse alongside providing innovative criminal justice response.

Chantal Hughes has been part of The Hampton Trust since 2006 where she joined as the Domestic Abuse Services Manager before progressing to Deputy Chief Executive.  She took a 4-month sabbatical in 2011 to work for a charity providing rehabilitation to street children in one of the largest slums in Africa and remains connected to the work in Kenya.

Taking up the role of CEO in 2013, Chantal has led the expansion of a range of domestic abuse and criminal justice interventions.  She remains firmly committed to tackling the root cause of domestic abuse by holding perpetrators to account and ensuring the voice of victims and children are at the forefront of the work.

Helen Greenfield advises on all matters relating to family breakdown, divorce and cohabitation. She has a particular interest in helping those who have been affected by domestic abuse. Domestic abuse can include anything from isolating a person from their friends and family, monitoring their time or taking control over aspects of their everyday life (such as where they can go, who they can see, what to wear, their finances or when they can sleep. It can also include threats to hurt, to kill or even physical assault).

Helen recognises that the legal implications of domestic abuse are accompanied by a plethora of emotional and other issues, and she aims to ensure that clients are able to work through them with the right advice and support.

For further information:

Helen Greenfield: https://www.flip.co.uk/profiles/helen-greenfield/

Chantal Hughes: https://hamptontrust.org.uk/about-us/management/

FLiP’s Website: https://www.flip.co.uk/

The Hampton Trust’s Website: https://hamptontrust.org.uk/about-us/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/family-law-in-partnership/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/familylawinpartnership

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FLiPLtd

In this episode of the FLiP podcast, FLiP Associate Vanessa Sampaio, leads a discussion with Andrew Jones, Immigration Solicitor at Wesley Gryk Solicitors on family separation and possible immigration issues that can be encountered. Vanessa and Andrew cover a wide range of points such as:

• The challenges that arise from an immigration perspective for individuals in circumstances where their immigration status is dependent on their spouse and there is risk of such status being lost upon divorce.
• What impact children have on the immigration status of separating individuals.
• The legal position for unmarried couples who have children and one of the parents has a temporary visa and what can be done to regularise the parent’s status who does not have the right to remain in the country.
• Protective steps that family lawyers can take to safeguard their client’s immigration position.

Vanessa advises on all aspects of family law including the division of finances on the breakdown of marriage/civil partnerships, and the preparation of pre and post nuptial agreements. She also advises in respect of matters under TOLATA 1996 and under Schedule 1 of the Children Act. Vanessa prioritises her clients’ objectives whilst providing them with pragmatic advice to assist them in achieving the best outcome for themselves and their children. Vanessa offers a considered approach to resolving her cases as constructively as possible, but nonetheless takes a strategic view when it comes to litigation. Vanessa is ranked as a Recommended Lawyer by Legal 500 2023.

Andrew Jones is a solicitor at Wesley Gryk Solicitors LLP. Andrew’s practice covers a wide range of immigration, asylum and nationality matters. Andrew regularly assists clients to make applications for parents and partners applying to enter or extend their stay in the United Kingdom. He also has experience with applications for asylum, British citizenship for adults and children and status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Andrew successfully challenges Home Office decisions in the Immigration and Asylum Tribunals and by judicial review.

For further information:

Vanessa Sampaio: https://www.flip.co.uk/profiles/vanessa-sampaio/

Andrew Jones: https://www.gryklaw.com/our-team/andrew-jones/

FLiP’s Website: https://www.flip.co.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/family-law-in-partnership/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/familylawinpartnership

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FLiPLtd

In this episode of the FLiP podcast, Marcia Drummond, Associate and Chartered Legal Executive Lawyer, leads a discussion with a former client about his divorce journey and the powerful impact therapy had on his experience.

The questions in which Marcia asked her former client are listed below with the appropriate time stamp in case you would like to skip to a certain point of the discussion.

• At what stage did you consider it important to obtain legal advice rather than self-represent? (1:12)
• How did the end of your marriage impact on your mental health and how did you manage it? (1:47)
• When did you engage the services of a therapist? (2:30)
• How did you choose the therapist and what skillset was important to you? (4:13)
• What impact did therapy have on the way that you dealt with the divorce process? What would say are its benefits (and disadvantages) for other separating couples? (4:50)
• Do you consider there is an alignment between the legal advice you received and the support you received from your therapist? (7:39)
• Statistics show that men are likely to be more resistant to engage in therapy or counselling – do you have an opinion as to why that might be? (8:57)
• You’ve taken therapy to another level and have started a course in therapy – what was your motivation? (10:39)
• What would be your advice to anyone going through a divorce or separation? (12:20)

At FLiP we have a team of Divorce Consultants and Individual & Relationship Therapists who have a wealth of experience in helping couples improve their relationships, whether they are together or separating or separated. Our team offer a place to reflect on relationship issues in a confidential and stigma-free way. To learn more, visit our dedicated website page linked below.

Marcia Drummond is an Associate and Chartered Legal Executive (FCILEx) Lawyer. She handles all aspects of private family law and has a broad range of experience across financial, divorce/dissolution and parenting matters. To learn more about Marcia, see below. 

For further information:

Marcia Drummond: https://www.flip.co.uk/profiles/marcia-drummond/

FLiP’s Website: https://www.flip.co.uk/

Divorce Diaries: https://www.flip.co.uk/divorce-diaries/

Divorce Consultancy and Therapists: https://www.flip.co.uk/counselling/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/family-law-in-partnership/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/familylawinpartnership

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FLiPLtd

**National Surrogacy Week runs this year (2023) from 1 August to 7 August.**

In light of National Surrogacy Week, we have relaunched our original podcast “Surrogacy: An Introduction” recorded in 2021, to bring further awareness to surrogacy and in the hope it may be helpful to anyone embarking on a surrogacy journey. References to the law are accurate as at October 2021. Since recording in 2021, the Law Commission have released their report outlining recommendations for a robust new system to govern surrogacy and we are awaiting the Government’s response. You can find out more here. 

FLiP Senior Associate Kara Swift leads the discussion with family law barrister Andrew Powell of 4 Paper Buildings. 

Kara Swift of Family Law in Partnership advises on all aspects of private family law, supporting a wide range of clients following separation to resolve matters relating to children and financial matters with diligence and care. Kara was named Family Law Young Solicitor of the Year 2019 in the prestigious LexisNexis Family Law Awards. The award recognises a solicitor with under 5 years post qualification experience who has made an outstanding contribution in family law.

Andrew Powell is widely recognised for his expertise in cases concerning children. He is proficient in child abduction cases and has particular expertise in surrogacy issues. As well as surrogacy law, his practice focuses on parental disputes about arrangements for children after separation, international children law, and applications to relocate children to another country.

For further information:

Kara Swift: https://www.flip.co.uk/profiles/kara-swift/

Andrew Powell: https://www.4pb.com/barrister-profile/andrew-powell/

FLiP’s Website: https://www.flip.co.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/family-law-in-partnership/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/familylawinpartnership

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FLiPLtd

In this podcast Hannah Greene, a Senior Associate at FLiP is joined by Jo Harrison, in-house therapist at FLiP. Hannah and Jo discuss Monica Heisey’s debut novel ‘Really Good, Actually’ and what it means to get divorced in your 20s.

**SPOILER ALERT – to any listener who has not yet read the book, the plot of the novel is discussed to some extent and the conversation may contain some spoilers.**

Jo and Hannah discuss a range of topics filtering from Monica’s novel, such as but not limited to:

• -          How divorcing looks in your 20s from a legal perspective and the common issues which may feature;
• -          How therapy can help an individual, no matter what their age, when going through a divorce or separation;
• -          The concept of “necessary narcissism”;
• -          Communication during the divorce process and after;
• -          The legal position on pets during a divorce;
• -          What is portrayed in the book which is general to divorce;
• -          Lessons learnt from the novel.

Hannah advises on all aspects of divorce and cohabitation, including financial and children matters, and on relationship agreements, including prenuptial and cohabitation agreements. A qualified collaborative lawyer, Hannah’s focus is on providing clear, pragmatic advice whilst maintaining an empathetic approach, taking all available opportunities to minimise conflict, where possible 

Jo is very experienced in working as a therapist with individuals and couples who are separating. A former family lawyer, Jo has a depth of experience in being able to understand the legal process. She can work with clients, either individually or as a couple, to support them through the process. Clients can meet with Jo for an initial consultation at our offices in Central London to think about what help is required. This can be at any stage before, during, or after a divorce or separation.

For further information:

Hannah Greene: https://www.flip.co.uk/profiles/hannah-greene/

Jo Harrison: https://www.flip.co.uk/profiles/jo-harrison/

FLiP’s Website: https://www.flip.co.uk/

Really Good, Actually: https://www.waterstones.com/book/really-good-actually/monica-heisey/9780008511722

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/family-law-in-partnership/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/familylawinpartnership

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FLiPLtd

In this podcast Nicole Phillips, a Senior Associate at FLiP is joined by Andrew Pearce, UKCP Registered Psychotherapist and in-house therapist at FLiP.  Nicole and Andrew discuss the type of language used in the midst of a divorce or separation covering a range of topics such as:

• How language differs in Nicole’s practice to that of the language used in Andrew’s consulting room in a therapeutic environment  
• The history of language of divorce and separation
• The invisible impact of language and the wider impact during a divorce/separation
• The formal language of divorce including the introduction of no fault divorce
• Use of informal language
• Language Matters movement with the Family Solutions Group and the 5 Ps concept (plain language, personal, proportionate language, problem solving language and positive futures).

Andrew is one of FLiP’s in-house therapists. Andrew is a UKCP Registered Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor with over 20 years experience. He is also a Certified Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). Andrew’s areas of particular interest include dealing with the impact of change, building resilience, conflict resolution and working to de-stigmatise mental health and minimise its impact. Andrew’s aim is to increase choice for those who want the freedom to be authentically who they really are.

Nicole is a Senior Associate solicitor and mediator at Family Law in Partnership. She handles all aspects of private family law, assisting and supporting clients who are navigating divorce or separation to resolve any financial or children issues that may arise. Nicole combines a warm, sympathetic manner with tactical nous and incisive judgment. Nicole is also collaboratively trained. 

For further information:

Nicole Phillips: https://www.flip.co.uk/profiles/nicole-phillips/

Andrew Pearce: https://www.flip.co.uk/profiles/andrew-pearce/

FLiP’s Website: https://www.flip.co.uk/

FSG - Language Matters: https://www.familysolutionsgroup.co.uk/language-matters/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/family-law-in-partnership/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/familylawinpartnership

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FLiPLtd

In this podcast Kara Swift, a Senior Associate at Family Law in Partnership, and Michael Edwards, a Barrister at 4PB who specialises in international children law particularly child abduction, examine the issues that separated parents need to think about if they are planning to take their children on holiday, in particular from England & Wales. 

Kara and Michael underline the importance of abiding by the terms of any order that the Court has already made in relation to the children, and to try to reach an agreement away from the courts if at all possible. They look at the general view of the Family Courts towards separated parents taking their children on holiday, and offer practical steps that separated parents can take if they are in agreement to ensure that everything runs smoothly. 

There are times when agreement might not be possible and they consider the importance of carrying out a thorough risk assessment, weighing up factors such as: 

• Who do the children live with?
• Who has their passports?
• Where is the other parent planning to travel to? Is this a country which is party to the Hague Convention*?
• Are there signs that this might be more than a temporary trip? 

Where a parent has concerns about the intentions of the other parent, Kara and Michael emphasise the importance of acting quickly and getting specialist legal advice on the best way forward. They look at the range of orders that a Court could make before the children travel, and what could be done if the children have already been taken abroad.

*Hague Convention 1980 – contracting parties https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=24

Michael of 4PB is a specialist in international children law, particularly child abduction, leave to remove and jurisdictional disputes. He regularly appears in the High Court and has appeared in many of the leading cases in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Michael has been noted by Legal 500 as “the private children and child abduction guru”. Michael is Co-Editor of International Family Law, the leading journal on international family justice.

Kara advises on all aspects of private family law, supporting a wide range of married and unmarried clients following separation to resolve matters relating to their children, finances and property rights with diligence and care. Kara is a qualified collaborative lawyer. Kara is ranked as a Rising Star by Legal 500 2023. 

For further information:

Kara Swift: https://www.flip.co.uk/profiles/kara-swift/

Michael Edwards: https://www.4pb.com/barrister-profile/michael-edwards/ 

FLiP’s Website: https://www.flip.co.uk/

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/family-law-in-partnership/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/familylawinpartnership

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FLiPLtd

In this episode of the FLiP podcast, Hannah Greene, an associate at FLiP, is joined in a discussion with Jo Harrison, a therapist and councillor also at the firm, to talk about ending a relationship in an amicable way. Hannah and Jo will look at this from a legal and phycological angel for separating couples.

Hannah advises on all aspects of divorce and cohabitation, including financial and children matters, and on relationship agreements, including pre-nuptial and cohabitation agreements. Hannah’s focus is on providing clear, pragmatic advice whilst maintaining an empathetic approach, taking all available opportunities to minimise conflict where possible.

Jo is our in-house therapist. She is experienced in working with individuals and couples who are separating. A former family lawyer, Jo has a depth of experience in being able to understand the legal process. She can work with clients, either individually or as a couple, to support them through the process.

In this episode of the FLIP podcast, Marcia Drummond, Associate and Chartered Legal Executive Lawyer, leads a discussion with a former client about her personal experience of going through the family courts in an effort to maintain her spousal maintenance.  She speaks frankly about the importance of strong legal advice and support, the financial and emotional impact of litigation and she offers advice to others who may find themselves in a similar situation.

Marcia Drummond is an Associate and Chartered Legal Executive (FCILEx) Lawyer. She handles all aspects of private family law and has a broad range of experience across financial, divorce/dissolution and parenting matters.

For further information:

Marcia Drummond: https://www.flip.co.uk/profiles/marcia-drummond/

 FLiP’s Website: https://www.flip.co.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/family-law-in-partnership/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/familylawinpartnership

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FLiPLtd