WJM Solicitor Gains Trauma Awareness Accreditation

A solicitor from Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP has been accredited for her competency and knowledge on the complexity and impact of trauma.

Emma Letham, Associate at WJM, has gained the Trauma-Informed Lawyer Certification from the Law Society of Scotland at a time when trauma-awareness and trauma-informed practice are forming the heart of a fairer justice system.

Emma has worked in family law for over seven years, becoming a specialist in adoption and permanence cases.

The prominent member of the Association for Fostering, Kinship & Adoption Scotland was certified after completing the specialist course that has been in high demand, despite it only launching a year ago.

Emma said: “It is a privilege to have been given the opportunity to undertake this course. Upskilling in how to spot signs of trauma is so important in effectively handling cases that require an extra level of sensitivity.

“I have always been interested in psychology and human behaviour and it is therefore no surprise that I chose to practice in a human-centric area of the legal sector.

“I now feel better equipped to assist my clients through a trauma-informed practice and I am of the view this course is invaluable for all family lawyers.”

Tom Quail, head of the WJM family law team, said: “Emma has shown high levels of compassion and integrity throughout her career and this course will stand her in good stead for providing the best possible support to her clients.

“Our firm is committed to supporting the team in pursuing the CPD and training opportunities that will help them to continually upskill and provide the best possible level of service.”

It adds to Emma’s other specialist training, as she has previously undergone Domestic Abuse Training for Solicitors provided by Scottish Women’s Rights Centre.

Warning Issued Over ‘DIY’ Sperm Donation Agreements

Tom Quail, family law specialist at WJM, has issued a warning to those considering a ‘DIY’ sperm donor agreement instead of going through regulated clinics.

Doctor holding urine sample cup. Medical test in hospital.

As the unregulated sperm donation market continues to grow and more people opt for private arrangements, greater awareness of the legal implications is needed.

He said: “While it is illegal to sell sperm in the UK, there is a growing trend of people obtaining sperm through unofficial and unregulated channels, whether that’s by using online marketplaces or making arrangements with close friends.

“However, as well as the lack of screening for medical conditions or background checks on donors, there is also a host of legal implications which it’s vital to consider.

“Some people going down this route may decide to draw up and sign a ‘donor’ or ‘co-parenting’ agreement to set out in writing what is agreed between all parties, believing these are legally binding. They’re not, nor are they a guarantee about the role a donor will or won’t have in the child’s life.”

He warned that the consequences of donating sperm through a licensed clinic and donating through a private arrangement differ considerably.

Donors who donate their sperm through a licensed clinic are not treated as the legal father of any child they help conceive. This means that a clinic donor cannot be held financially accountable for their genetic children, nor will any donor-conceived children have any rights of inheritance from the donor. Furthermore, the donor will also not have any say in the upbringing of the child.

By contrast, a donor who donates sperm outside of a licensed fertility clinic will not acquire the same automatic protection, and will be considered the legal father of the child.

Tom added: “A sperm donor should think carefully about the role they may wish to play in the child’s life and whether they want to have any contact with the child in future. If they don’t, there is the potential for disputes further down.

“Going down the non-licensed route can lead to major problems and exposes all those involved to potential legal battles in future.

“Some people may feel the licensed clinic route is cost prohibitive, but in reality going down the route of a DIY donor legal agreement could have considerable consequences so it is important to take this into consideration and plan carefully from the outset.”

What Changes will The Children(Scotland) Act Make for Children and Young People

October 26 2022, Virtual Seminar

2pm – 5pm: £180

Speaker : Tom Quail, Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP

The Children (Scotland) Act 2020 received royal assent in August 2020. The changes have not yet been brought into force as the Government, Local Authority Courts and Children’s Hearings prepare for the changes before they have to start delivering them.

The new Act brings the law into line with children’s rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

This seminar will consider the main changes for children and young people being:-

• Children and young people having more opportunity to give their views to court;
• The courts having to explain decisions to children;
• Children having Support Advocacy Workers in family court actions;
• Measures to keep children safe in contact centres;
• Registration of Child Welfare Reporters and Curators ad litem and rules of how they should carry out their duties;
• The court having to investigate the reason contact arrangements are not working
• Rules to avoid legal proceedings taking too long

The seminar will look at the potential impact, the changes the new Act will bring and the advice which requires to be given by family law/child law practitioners.

Book your place here: http://ccpdtraining.co.uk/booking/booking-childrenscotlandact

Why the date of separation matters when couples split

Whether you are married or in a cohabiting relationship, one of the first things your solicitor will focus on during your initial meeting will be to establish the date you separated from your spouse or partner.

In divorce, the date of separation is important because the value of matrimonial property will be determined on the date you separated. In essence, you are looking to obtain the balance sheet of the marriage at the date of separation – that is the total of all assets which make up the matrimonial property after deducting any debts.

If you are cohabiting, when you cease to cohabit is critical because you only have one year from the date you separate to bring your claim to court. If you fail to meet this deadline, the financial claim you may have against your former partner will fall.

How then is the date when you stop cohabiting established?

In many situations the date will be obvious and not subject to dispute.

But sometimes parties to a relationship will have differing views as to when a relationship broke down. A couple may still live in the same house but have stopped cohabiting for legal purposes long before one of you moves out.

The issue will be determined objectively so your solicitor will ask you questions about the nature of your relationship and changes in the normal pattern of behaviour. This will include sleeping and eating arrangements, holidays and social activities, and whether there was any change in the usual financial arrangements which operated between you.

For couples in a cohabiting relationship which may be breaking down it is imperative to get early legal advice on this issue to alleviate the risk of losing your right to make a claim against your ex.

If you have any questions following a separation, please contact our Roger Mackenzie at rlm@wjm.co.uk

Inflation bites twice on separated families

As the cost of living crisis hits households across the country, separated families may need to revisit maintenance arrangements agreed at a time when inflation was subdued.

When married couples split spouses owe a duty of financial support to one another. This will often see the higher earning party provide maintenance or aliment in the form of monthly payments to the spouse who requires support to meet their needs.

Typically, both spouses will draw up a schedule of income and outgoings to assess the needs of the receiving party and the resources of the paying party to meet any shortfall. Frequently where children are involved the dual obligations to maintain a spouse and children will be wrapped up in one payment, or perhaps by continuing to meet certain costs of the household where the children mainly reside, such as the mortgage and council tax.

If the arrangement or court order was reached based on costs which have since spiralled it may be possible to seek to vary the level of aliment to be paid by reference to a new schedule of outgoings.

However, if the paying party also has mounting fuel and food costs, but without a comparable increase in their available income, they may argue they do not have the resources to offset the rising costs of living which impacts on both households.

Some long-term maintenance arrangements will include reference to regular review with reference to the Retail Prices Index or Consumer Prices Index. This can shelter the receiving party from inflationary pressures.

Financial support is usually one of the most pressing issues to be agreed when couples separate. Agreements reached in the early days after separation can have important consequences further down the line and early advice on your financial requirements or obligations can be crucial in setting the stage for the longer term arrangements which follow.

If you have any questions about financial support or child maintenance following a separation, please contact our Roger Mackenzie at rlm@wjm.co.uk

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