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Legal Notices

The Firm

Allard Bailey Family Law is a practice name of Allard Bailey Family Law Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales with the company number 10359344.

All references on this website to “Allard Bailey Family Law”, “Allard Bailey”, “the firm”, “we”, “us” or “our” should be read as referring to Allard Bailey Family Law Ltd.

Company Directors

The directors of the company are Louise Allard and Sabrina Bailey, who use the professional title ‘Managing Partner’.

Professional Titles

We use professional titles to designate the seniority and role of our colleagues. The titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Director’ are professional titles only. Those we call ‘Partners’ are solicitors with equivalent standing and qualifications. Our Partners and Directors are not owners or shareholders and are not liable for the debts, liabilities or obligations of the business.

Authorisations

Allard Bailey Family Law is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and has the SRA number 634271. A copy of the SRA’s rules can be accessed at www.sra.org.uk/rules.

We are not authorised under the Financial Services & Markets Act 2000. However, we are able in certain circumstances, to offer a limited range of investment services to clients because we are members of the Law Society. We can provide these investment services if they are an incidental part of the professional services we have been engaged to provide.

The SRA is the independent regulatory arm of the Law Society and the Legal Ombudsman deals with complaints against lawyers. If you are unhappy with any investment advice you receive from us, you should raise your concerns with either of those bodies.  Further information about making a complaint can be found here www.allardbailey.com/complaints-procedure/.

VAT

Allard Bailey Family Law is registered for VAT purposes with the VAT number 255 3801 09.

Terms of Business

A full copy of our terms of business can be requested by emailing info@allardbailey.com.

relationship

Insight

February 26, 2024

There is violence in my relationship; what can I do?

Recognising domestic violence The government defines domestic violence as “Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour,  violence or abuse between…
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Insight

January 11, 2024

Marriage is in trouble, but you don’t want to get divorced, can we just separate?

Defining Divorce and Separation in English Law: Divorce: Divorce is a legal process that formally terminates a marriage. It is initiated by filing a divorce…
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Insight

November 28, 2023

What is the process for applying for a child arrangements order?

Who Can Apply for A Child Arrangements Order? Regarding who can ask the court for a Child Arrangements Order (CAO), the following individuals can apply…
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Insight

November 20, 2023

What if my spouse refuses to accept the divorce?

Grounds for divorce – the old regime  Prior to 6 April 2022, a divorce could only be obtained on the following grounds:  Under the pre-6…
Is surrogacy legal in the UK

Insight

November 10, 2023

Is surrogacy legal in the UK?

Types of surrogacy Straight surrogacy is when the surrogate provides her own eggs and the intended father provides sperm, either for self-insemination or artificial insemination….
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Insight

September 20, 2023

Is the Law Commission’s Review Signalling a Change in UK Surrogacy Law?

What is surrogacy? Surrogacy is a practice where a woman (‘the surrogate’) carries and gives birth to a child for another person or couple (‘the…
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Insight

November 29, 2022

Is Private Financial Dispute Resolution a Good Idea?

What Happens in Court Proceedings? Court proceedings to settle divorce finances can be likened to a play of three acts. Act One: Your first appointment…
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Insight

November 29, 2022

Should we go to Court or Arbitration to settle our Divorce?

What is Family Arbitration? Arbitration is effectively a private court hearing where you select your own Judge, known as an Arbitrator. You can choose which…
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Insight

May 4, 2022

Can I Change My Child Maintenance Payments?

Court-Ordered Child Maintenance If child maintenance forms part of a Court Order, the rules for seeking amendments vary depending on when the Order was sealed…
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Insight

April 4, 2022

How are Gender Recognition Laws Changing in UK?

Are Gender Recognition Laws being reviewed in England and Wales? Following an independent consultation, the UK Government announced in 2020 that it did not intend…
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Insight

March 7, 2022

Break the Bias When Parents Separate

For International Women’s Day, our Managing Partners Louise Allard and Sabrina Bailey discuss gender bias in modern families, how this translates to family law on…
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Insight

March 2, 2022

How are Divorce Laws Changing? “No Fault Divorce”

The only amicable option has been to separate for 2 years before beginning divorce proceedings with your spouse’s consent.  If there had been no clear…
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Insight

January 18, 2022

Could Mediation Help you Resolve your Family Law Dispute?

What does the Mediator do? The mediator’s primary role is to ensure all participants are able to voice their feelings and opinions, whilst avoiding arguments…
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Insight, Uncategorized

December 15, 2021

Using a Child Contact Centre

Child Contact Centres can help by providing an impartial environment for children to enjoy contact with their non-resident parent away from the conflict of their…
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Insight

December 8, 2021

Could a Co-Parenting App help you Stay Child-Focused?

Many apps offer specific features to help parents manage their children’s busy lives. Most have calendar functions, often with colour coding and the option of…
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Insight

December 3, 2021

Could Child Inclusive Mediation Help You Agree Child Arrangements?

A recent 2021 report from Nuffield on ‘Children’s Experience of Private Law Proceedings’ found that children felt largely unheard in proceedings and that their wishes,…
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Insight

December 2, 2021

Practical Ideas to Continue Contact with your Child

As it is not always easy to keep a conversation going, we share some practical ideas to help you continue your parental role and strengthen…
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Insight

December 1, 2021

Could a Parenting Plan Help Your Child?

What is a Parenting Plan? A parenting plan is a written record of the agreement made between parents about how they will care and provide…
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Insight

November 29, 2021

Five Steps to Keep Your Child’s Needs at the Forefront of Separation

We know this is not easy but it is really worth taking the time to think about these issues. 1. Choose the Right Time to…
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Insight

September 29, 2021

How do I know if our Prenuptial Agreement is Fair?

Although prenups are not 100% legally binding in the strictest sense of English law, courts in the UK will generally give prenups significant weight –…
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Insight

September 22, 2021

Why should Pensions be included in Divorce Settlements?

Who does pension sharing apply to? The simple answer is most couples where there is a work-related or privately held pension, there are very few…
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Insight

March 31, 2021

Does BREXIT change rules Parental Child Abduction?

This is the law of the country and Brexit has not changed anything. Practically speaking, anyone attempting to leave the country with a child needs…
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Insight

March 31, 2021

Has BREXIT changed International Child Arrangements?

In this blog we will first look at how jurisdiction is affected and then discuss the recognition and enforcement of orders, including child maintenance. JURISDICTIONWhich…
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Insight, Uncategorized

December 21, 2020

Achieve Your Life Goals Series: Understand how your Relationships can affect your Business

In a time when both our business models and personal relationships are being tested to their limits, it is important to understand how the breakdown…
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Insight

November 2, 2020

Achieve Your Life Goals Series: Shield Your Business from Issues in Your Personal Life

When you run a business there is always an interaction between your professional and personal life, so it is important to understand how the decisions…
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Insight

October 5, 2020

Achieve Your Life Goals Series: Using the Law to Align Your Professional and Personal Ambitions

When you run a business there is always an overlap between your professional and personal life. To ensure you can realise your goals, it is…
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Insight

August 10, 2020

Do Entrepreneurs Need a Business Power of Attorney?

The reality is that anyone can become incapacitated at any time through illness or accident, so it makes sense to prepare for that possibility. Depending on…
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Insight

August 3, 2020

When Should Entrepreneurs Consider Succession Plans?

Key Considerations for Business Owners The most common business types are sole traders, partnerships and incorporated companies. Depending on the businesses structure, documents such as…
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Insight

July 22, 2020

Can I Protect My Will Against Challenges?

Lack of Mental Capacity When you give instructions and then execute your Will, you will need to know what you are doing and understand the…
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Insight

July 9, 2020

Protecting Your Same-Sex Partner from Unfounded Challenges to your Will

Two of the most common reasons for challenging a Will are for want of mental capacity and/or undue influence, so we will discuss specific steps…
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Insight

July 2, 2020

The Tax implications of Cohabiting vs Marriage or Civil Partnership

Income Tax Marriage Allowance allows married and civil partnered couples to transfer part of their tax allowance to their spouse, which can reduce their tax…
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Insight

June 18, 2020

LGBT Parenting: Starting a Three-parent Family

It seems like a win-win situation and it can be, if you are realistic about your expectations and choose your co-parents wisely. You should bear…
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Insight

June 11, 2020

Urgent Applications to the Court of Protection in the wake of Coronavirus

What can I do if there is not a Lasting Power of Attorney? If someone you know loses the ability to make decisions for themselves,…
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Insight

June 9, 2020

Is Arbitration a Good Alternative to Court during the Pandemic?

Where does that leave people who want to reach a swift conclusion? It is not surprising that our clients are increasingly looking for alternative methods…
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Insight

May 28, 2020

How Will the Current Housing market Affect my Divorce?

Despite initial reports of a rebound in potential purchasers since lockdown measures were eased, the property market remains uncertain. Many people are still concerned about…
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Insight

May 13, 2020

How a Will can Safeguard your Children

Guardianship: Who Will Look After Your Child? When both parents pass-away whilst a child is still underage, there is no one with parental responsibility who…
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Insight

May 7, 2020

Child Maintenance Issues in a Covid-19 Pandemic: Your Questions Answered

What if the paying parent’s income has reduced? While the legal obligation for child maintenance is solely income based, it is advisable to consider the…
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Insight

April 30, 2020

Domestic Abuse Help in Lockdown

In this blog, we look at what domestic violence is, what practical steps can be taken, wider support and legal remedies that are available to…
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Insight

April 22, 2020

Is Coronavirus Causing Issues With Your Spousal Maintenance Payments?

What if my former spouse stops or reduces spousal maintenance payments as a result of the current Coronavirus situation? In the first instance, it is…
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Insight

April 9, 2020

Co-parenting during the Coronavirus Crisis: Your Questions Answered

If I share care of my children can they move between houses during the stay at home campaign? The short answer is yes.  We have all…
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Insight

April 8, 2020

Should I Get a Will or Lasting Power of Attorney Because of Coronavirus?

Who Should Prepare a Lasting Power of Attorney? It is sensible for everyone over the age of 18 to have a Lasting Power of Attorney…
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Insight

April 6, 2020

Business Owners Should protect their operations in case they are incapacitated by Coronavirus

The solution is a General Power of Attorney (GPA), which can be drafted by a solicitor and is valid from the moment it is executed. …
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Insight

March 30, 2020

Why You Should Update Your Will As Soon As You Decide To Separate

What happens to my estate if I do not update my Will before my divorce is finalised? If you have a Will naming your spouse…
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Insight

March 25, 2020

Further Advice on Child Arrangements during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Crisis

The key message is that “where Coronavirus restrictions cause the letter of a court order to be varied, the spirit of the order should be…
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Insight

March 20, 2020

COVID Child Contact Plans

Click to read: FURTHER ADVICE ON CHILD ARRANGEMENTS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) CRISIS** We are in the midst of a global pandemic that is unprecedented. …
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Insight

March 9, 2020

LGBT Parenting: Is Artificial Insemination More Complicated for Lesbian Couples?

Depending on the couple’s circumstances, the child’s other intended parent may find herself in a more complicated limbo in terms of legal status.  We consider…
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Insight

February 14, 2020

LGBT Parenting: What does Surrogacy mean for Gay Couples in UK?

What is surrogacy? Surrogacy is an arrangement in which a woman becomes pregnant and gives birth to a child for another person, or couple, who…
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Insight

December 16, 2019

The 12 days of a Healthy Christmas Divorce

View Post 1. Speak to your spouse about how you see your future It can be helpful to arrange a time without distractions to explain…
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Insight

November 19, 2019

Dads Putting Their Children First

What about the headlines? Why are there so many headlines about fathers who cannot see their children – is it fair that children are stopped…
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Insight

October 24, 2019

What can you do if you are experiencing Domestic Abuse?

When you do realise that your partner is behaving in an unacceptable way, there are people who can listen and help you decide your next…
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Insight

October 16, 2019

Common Myths about Adoption

We tackle some of the common myths about Adoption in this country and share some lesser known facts that might help you to start your…
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Insight

September 30, 2019

Co-parenting Disputes About School Applications

Schooling choices and decisions carry with them a sense of huge responsibility and researching the options available is essential. It may no longer be a…
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Insight

September 19, 2019

5 Things to Consider when you are Thinking about Divorce

1. Establish whether you have grounds to get divorced Although ‘No Fault divorces’ are due to come into force (which means that you will only…
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Insight

September 2, 2019

Disputes about who should Pay Private School Fees

If your child is in private school and you are in the process of separating: If you are married and in the process of divorcing…
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Insight

August 5, 2019

Co-Parenting Tips for Your Children’s 1st Holiday Without You

These feelings can take you by surprise, especially if you are keen for your children to go, but it is very natural. What can you…
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Insight

August 1, 2019

What You Need to Know Before Travelling Alone with Your Children

What does this mean for you? You must have consent from anyone else who has parental responsibility for the child (usually both parents) before taking…
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Insight

January 4, 2019

Single Parents can now Obtain Parental Orders in UK

It is important to note that the normal criteria for applying for a Parental Order still applies, with the added caveat that the intended parent…
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Insight

March 4, 2018

5 Tips to Cope with Family Law Proceedings

1. Do Not Allow the Stress to Define you Make sure you keep busy with interests (or find new ones), hobbies and spend time with…
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Insight

November 21, 2017

Parental Alienation and the Children Caught in the Middle

Dr Damien McCann from Tavistock Relationships gave an interesting presentation on the impact that inter parental conflict and parental alienation can have on children. When parental…
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Insight

June 2, 2017

Do I need a Prenup and do they work?

Louise Allard of Allard Bailey Family Law answers some of the most frequently asked questions about prenuptial agreements.
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Insight

May 31, 2017

Postnups on the Rise

Postnuptial agreements are on the rise, but what exactly are they and do they signal the end of romance? Louise Allard of Allard Bailey Family Law looks at recent developments.

About Us

As a specialist firm, we focus on all areas of family law and legal matters that affect private wealth.

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Contact

Contact
info@allardbailey.com
(+44) 020 7993 2936

Head Office
3 Waterhouse Square,
138 Holborn, London, EC1N 2SW

Hertford Office
114-116 Fore Street, Hertford,
SG14 1AJ

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Allard Bailey Family Law is a practice name of Allard Bailey Family Law Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales (no 10359344) and authorised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (no 634271)

© 2024 Allard Bailey Family• All Rights Reserved