Harcourt Public Law Update — November 2025
Managing Sexual Risk & Procedural Fairness — Lessons from the Court of Appeal
By James Dove, Harcourt Chambers
Welcome to this month’s update from the Public Law Team…
Matthew Stott explores the topic of burial at sea in light of the Law Commission’s consultation on new funerary methods
1. Planning an English beach holiday this summer? Reading a gripping book and thinking of disposing of a body whilst on your sojourn by way of burial at sea? Alas,…
Matthew Brett talks about the Division of Property After Cohabitation in his most recent article
Division of Property After Cohabitation: A Brief Overview
It is often not appreciated how little discretion is available to the courts when cohabiting parties who have not been married are…
Anna Yarde talks about Post-adoption contact in her latest article
Secrets are the StonesThat sink the boatTake them out, look at themThrow them out and floatLemn Sissay, ‘My Name is Why’1
The Family Court’s approach to post-adoption contact is shifting.
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Anna Yarde talks to Counsel magazine about personal branding
In a recent article for Counsel magazine, Anna Yarde explores the importance of personal branding for barristers, reflecting on both its benefits and the challenges it presents within the profession.
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Nick Goodwin KC and Margaret Styles look at the risk assessment in care proceedings
An essential mindset and step-by-step approach
The identification, assessment and mitigation of risk is a core part of the work of social workers, lawyers and judges. The perception of risk…
Justine Ramsden looks at the Cafcass Domestic Abuse Practice Policy in her latest article
Does the Cafcass Domestic Abuse Practice Policy get the balance right between protecting adult and child victims from harm, and supporting children to have a relationship with both parents where…
Cecilia Barrett – ‘Add Backs’, what are they and what do you need to know
What is an ‘add back’?
An ‘add back’ is a species of a conduct argument under section 25(2)(g) Matrimonial Causes Act 1973. An ‘add back’ argument is made when one…
Frances Harris – Reflections on the FJC Guidance on Neurodiversity in the Family Justice System
Neurodivergence appears finally to be getting its turn in the spotlight. In January of this year the ‘Family Justice Council Guidance on Neurodiversity in the Family Justice System for Practitioners’…
Edward Bennett – Between a rock and a hard place: Mothers abroad, private law proceedings and parental responsibility
Many debates around parental responsibility concern fathers and second parents. By way of example, should the law permit a married father to be deprived of his parental responsibility where he…
John Vater KC gives his thoughts on the recent Practice Guidance on the use of Intermediaries
‘Make do and Mend’: Practice Guidance on the use of Intermediaries
The views expressed in this paper are mine and mine alone. They are not to be taken as representing…
Craig Jeakings looks at the press interactions in the family court
Craig Jeakings gives a personal account of his experience with press interactions in the family court.
Winston Churchill said of the press….
“A free press is the unsleeping guardian…