daniel rushton

In a divorce, the family home will usually be treated as one of the key assets taken into account in the financial settlement. Who originally bought the property and whose name is on the deeds will not necessarily determine the outcome, although legal ownership, contributions and the circumstances in which the property was acquired may still be relevant.

The recent decision in Kirishani v Major underlines the importance of living together agreements (also known as cohabitation agreements). The case is a stark reminder that cohabiting couples cannot assume the courts will treat their financial arrangements as legally binding, even where there is detailed paperwork and apparent agreement.

When someone is convicted of a serious sexual offence against a child they are put on the sex offenders register. This imposes restrictions on them working with or being around other people’s children. Shockingly, however, it doesn’t protect their own children over whom they still have parental rights. In essence, parental rights trump a conviction for a serious sexual offence such as raping a child.