On 5th January 2023 in Re S (A Child) and Re W (A Child) [2023] EWCA Civ 1, the Court of Appeal provided important clarification on the interplay between s.20 and s.31 Children Act 1989, and the long-term use of voluntary accommodation of children under s.20 CA 1989.
Darren Howe is a very experienced family law KC who deals with some of the most complex cases that appear before the family courts. Darren has sat as a judge of the family court for in excess of 12 years, at all levels of court including the High Court.
Hannah was appointed as assistant Coroner for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire in February 2023 to support the Senior and Area Coroners across the full range of Coroner’s duties for the county, including presiding over inquests.
Is a foreign conviction, as a matter of principle, admissible and to be given presumptive weight in proceedings under the Children Act 1989? The question of admissibility of a foreign conviction has not previously arisen in family proceedings.
On 3rd September 2022, the Senate House Sprinters (shufflers) ran the Bedford Twilight 10k to raise funds for Breast Cancer Now – a charity undertaking world-class research and life-changing care to those affected by breast cancer. Breast cancer has touched Senate House Chambers, its members and wider family over the years, so we wanted to raise awareness and funds to help make a change and to support those who have and continue to be impacted by it.
Our Stuart Yeung and Samantha Dunn have been involved in the Court of Appeal of Re W-A (Children: Foreign Conviction) [2022] EWCA Civ 1118, which clarifies, for the first time in the family jurisdiction, that foreign convictions are admissible as evidence in family proceedings.
Senate House Chambers is extremely proud to be hosting an intern from the 10,000 Black Interns Initiative. 10,00 Black Interns is an initiative set up to offer an internship to young black people in the UK. It seeks to offer up to 2,000 internships each year for 5 consecutive years – hence the name 10,00 Black Interns. It was launched in 2021 following on from the pilot initiative 100 Black Interns. 10,000 Black Interns have partnered up with more than 700 firms from 24 different sectors, delivering internships across a range of internal business functions. Both the Law Society and the Bar Council have become partners with this initiative.
Our Hena Vissian has been appointed as Vice Chair for the Midland Circuit Women’s Forum and has also been shortlisted for ‘Family and child law junior of the year’ for The Legal 500 Bar Awards 2022. Members of Chambers would wish to share their huge congratulations on her appointment and in respect of this fantastic nomination.
Last year, 2020 was the year of the ‘be kind’ hashtag. Influencers and media outlets the world over were encouraging us all to take care of one another because each of us has our own private battles to face. This month of Saint Valentine, we consider the benefits of turning that compassion inwards and being kind to ourselves.
As humans, we all have a tolerance for managing stress. The terms eustress means stress which is positively managed by the body and mind to beneficial effect. Exciting or stressful events cause a chemical response in the body which gives us a little more energy and drive to do more and to motivate us in our task. Eustress is a helpful and positive product of a nervous system response to challenge. Without eustress, our well-being can actually suffer. It helps us stay motivated, work toward goals, and feel good about life.
