Family Law News Archives - Edinburgh Family Law

Understanding Restraining (or Protective) Orders in Scotland

cmathison2024-04-09T14:28:40+00:00April 9th, 2024|Family Law News, Uncategorized|

Protection from Domestic Abuse can be obtained in all relationships if you have been abused by your former spouse or partner.

The first phone call you should make is to the police. If necessary, you should seek medical treatment recording any injuries with the hospital, GP or simply by taking photographs of these. Taking these steps may assist in obtaining protective orders to stop the unacceptable behaviour of your spouse, partner or ex-partner.

In Scotland, restraining orders; known as interdicts, serve as crucial safeguards against harassment, abuse, and […]

Can my ex-partner stop me from having contact with my child?

cmathison2024-03-22T15:20:00+00:00March 22nd, 2024|Family Law News, Uncategorized|

At Johnson Legal Family Law, we understand the emotional strain and legal challenges that some
families face when it comes to child contact. Scenarios where one parent is denying the other parent contact with their child can arise following a separation or divorce, leaving the denied parent feeling helpless and desperate to maintain a relationship with their child.

Understanding the Legal Framework

In Scotland, both parents have equal rights and responsibilities towards their children, including the right to maintain meaningful contact provided it is in the child’s best interests. Denying […]

Single parents travelling abroad: Does a travel consent letter need to be notarised?

cmathison2024-02-29T15:59:38+00:00February 29th, 2024|Family Law News, Summer Holidays|

For single parents, navigating international travel with children can pose unique challenges and legal considerations.

One crucial document that single parents should be aware of is the travel consent letter. This document serves as proof that the parent or guardian has given permission for their child to travel internationally, especially when only one parent is accompanying the child.

But why exactly do single parents need travel consent letters, and what legal implications do they carry?

Legal Requirements and Parental Consent

If both parents are accompanying the child, a notarised letter of consent isn’t required. However, if only one parent or someone other than a […]

How to protect yourself from Domestic abuse over Christmas

cmathison2024-02-21T11:34:58+00:00December 22nd, 2023|Christmas, Domestic Abuse, Family Law News|

The Christmas period often brings a reported increase in police call-outs for incidents of domestic abuse. Financial pressures, alcohol and being cooped up together for long periods all contribute to a regular rise in domestic abuse.

The Christmas period often causes further difficulties for victims with fewer opportunities to report abuse and routes to safety being shut down. School closures for the holidays also mean that opportunities for children to report abuse and access support are restricted.

Protection from Domestic Abuse can absolutely be obtained in all relationships if you have been abused by your former spouse or partner. One of our […]

Talk Money Week: Edinburgh lawyers speak out on how to spot and stop financial control

cmathison2024-02-21T11:39:02+00:00November 7th, 2023|Family Law News, Money|

An Edinburgh Family Law firm is raising awareness of financially controlling relationships in a bid to encourage victims to seek help.

Johnson Legal Family Law has reported that financial control is a form of domestic abuse and that it’s present in 99% of domestic abuse cases.

The Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 states that abusive behaviour can include making someone dependent on, or subordinate to their partner, isolating them from friends and family or controlling their day-to-day activities.

Beverley Johnson, Head of Family Law and Director of Johnson Legal Family Law, said: “Financial control deprives a partner of their financial autonomy leaving them feeling […]

How to spot and stop a financially controlling relationship

cmathison2024-02-21T11:37:19+00:00June 9th, 2023|Domestic Abuse, Family Law News, Money|

Financial control is a form of domestic abuse which is illegal and it’s often a hidden crisis that goes on behind closed doors.

The Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 states that abusive behaviour can include
making someone dependent on, or subordinate to their partner, isolating them from friends and family, controlling their day-to-day activities and restricting their freedom of action.

Scottish Family Law firm Johnson Legal has reported that 1 in 5 of their clients are experiencing some form of financial […]

Edinburgh Family Law firm launches Scotland’s first Divorce and Separation digital Wellbeing hub on Mental Health Awareness Week

cmathison2024-02-21T11:24:05+00:00May 15th, 2023|Children & parenting issues, Divorce, Divorce & Dissolution of Civil Partnerships, Family Law News, Separation Agreements|

Edinburgh Family Law firm Johnson Legal Family Law is giving those going through a relationship breakdown access to important wellbeing support with the launch of a new digital Divorce and Separation Wellbeing Hub.

The Divorce and Separation Wellbeing Hub is the first of its kind in Scotland and has been developed in collaboration with a number of Scottish charities including Shared Parenting Scotland, Relationships Scotland, Family Journeys and Bright Light Relationship Counselling.

The charities were all instrumental in providing resources and offering guidance in the development of the hub and the website was also reviewed by a Relationship Counsellor to ensure […]

Celebrating International Women’s Day as an all-women Family Law firm

cmathison2024-02-21T11:04:41+00:00March 8th, 2023|Family Law News|

International Women’s Day is a global event that celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and the theme for 2023 is #EmbraceEquity

In honour of International Women’s Day, the Family Lawyers at Johnson Legal Family Law reflected on their proudest achievements and what it’s like to work in an all-women law firm, headed up by a female Director.

Head of Family Law and Director of Johnson Legal Family Law, Beverley Johnson set up the Family Law team in 1993 and grew the firm from herself and one secretary to a thriving, boutique Family Law firm. When Beverley first started out […]

Mental Health Awareness

cmathison2022-05-10T14:52:08+00:00May 10th, 2022|Family Law News|

When Yasmin, our excellent office manager, asked Beverley Johnson a year ago if she could have a dachshund puppy in the office, Beverley said yes without hesitation. She knew Yasmin was an extremely reliable and responsible member of staff, and after all, how much difference could a puppy make?

Once Elvis – the cutest and maddest puppy – arrived in the office, we all wondered what on earth we had done! There were chewed shoes, shredded papers, numerous “accidents” and persistent barking when Yasmin left the room or when someone walked past the window. However, a year later we […]

Implications of accidental co-habiting relationships formed during lockdown

cmathison2022-05-09T07:00:04+00:00May 9th, 2022|Family Law News|

As we enter a post COVID-19 era, the question we have asked ourselves is – have solicitors seen an increase in cohabiting relationships as a direct result of the pandemic? Perhaps a more interesting question that I regularly consider is, has the COVID-19 pandemic acted as a relationship accelerant? You may have found yourself living with your partner during the pandemic which may not have been the case if lockdowns had never been imposed. For many couples, this may also have been a lot sooner in their relationship than expected. Assuming you are in still in that co-habiting relationship, […]