Divorce and family law

A legal process which ends your marriage.

The name for a Judge sitting in the family court, usually they will have been either a  solicitor, or barrister, before they became a Judge. Most issues relating to a divorce. Eg: financial issues and children, are decided by a District Judge if there is a dispute although Magistrates can also deal with issues concerning children.  A part time District Judge is known as Deputy District Judge and they are likely to still work as a solicitor or barrister when they are not sitting as a Deputy District Judge.

A legal process which ends your civil partnership.

A contract, usually drawn up by a solicitor, which records an agreement reached in respect of financial matters following separation.

A legal document expressing the parties’ shares in a property

A civil court which historically dealt with most aspects of financial claims and and children cases following separation/divorce - now known as the family court but often in the same building as the County Court. The court also deals with other civil claims such as those arising from road traffic accidents and recovery of debts.

A barrister.

Evidence, either written or oral, which supports what you say.

A form of legal agreement reached between an unmarried couple who have chosen to live together defining their rights and obligations, usually around financial and property issues.

A Court Order made following divorce proceedings which brings financial claims between former spouses to an end.