Divorce and family law

A legal union between two partners with similar rights and obligations to a marriage.

The Child Support Agency was abolished in 2008 and replaced in 2012 by the Child Maintenance Service (CMS). This is the  government body currently responsible for the collection and payment of child maintenance.

Court orders, introduced by the Children Act 1989, govern where children will live and how much time they will spend with each parent. Child Arrangement Orders are a different name for orders for contact and/or residence previously called contact or residence orders.

An office within the Court building where court hearings can be held, but also used as a term to describe a barrister’s office.

An office of Court and Family Services - who may be appointed by the Court to help the Judge carry out enquiries if there are Children Act proceedings.

A lawyer who is a specialist in advocacy, who may represent you in court if there is a dispute about money or children. The barrister will also provide you with specialist advice in relation to legal aspects of your case.

These are anything of value that you own eg property or investments.

The person who makes an application either in relation to children matters, financial matters or injunction proceedings.

A document being a written statement including an oath either sworn on the Bible, Koran or other religious book, or Affirmed.

A lawyer, either a solicitor or barrister, who speaks on your behalf in court.