Family law -working remotely
Posted: 21st April 2020
Family law and the way we can work with clients remotely
On Monday 23rd March 2020, the government issued new guidance on the ongoing pandemic, Covid-19. This may raise a number of concerns-
- How can I see my children?
- Does this mean my case will be delayed?
- How can I speak to my solicitor?
We want to assist you during this difficult and confusing time, and our solicitors are here to answer any queries you may have.
If you have an existing Child Arrangements order, this should still be adhered to by both parents. After some initial confusion following the contradictory advice of Michael Gove on Tuesday 24thMarch 2020, the government have now made it clear that if parents are separated, children may move between their homes to see each parent as long as it's safe. The meaning of safe in this context has not been formally defined, however, if a child, or someone in the household are showing symptoms of Covid-19 it may be sensible for alternative arrangement to be agreed between the parents. If there is a disagreement in relation to contact arrangements, we can offer advice and assist with mediation and an application to the Court if necessary.
We continue to be available for appointments from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and although we are unable to offer face to face appointments at our offices, these can take place either by telephone or by other means of indirect contact, such as Skype or Zoom.
Similarly, many Court buildings are temporarily closed to the public, however, the vast majority of Court hearings are still taking place remotely. This means that your matter should not be delayed regardless of the timescale we may be in 'lockdown'. If you wish to discuss the timescales of your ongoing matter, we would be happy to discuss this with you.
We are continuing to take on new cases regarding all aspects of family law. If we require any documentation from you this can be posted to our office or sent via email. We can advise you during your initial appointment whether your matter will be classed as urgent by the Court. If you wish to make an appointment for a new matter, this can be done by telephoning the office on 01900 67363 or 01946 694818.