D&A Solicitors | BLOG

As the debate intensifies over the government's cohabitation proposals, we examine the divide between fears of legal overreach and the urgent reality of protecting vulnerable partners left with nothing. Following the closure of the government’s consultation, A Fairer End to Relationships , debate around cohabitation law reform in England and Wales has reached fever pitch. The flagship proposal would permit couples living together in an "enduring family relationship" for three years or more—or who have had a child together—to apply for needs-based financial relief within two years of separating. The proposals have drawn fierce scrutiny. Critics have described the push as state paternalism, warning that automatically imposing rights risks unwanted financial entanglements for couples who deliberately chose to keep their assets separate. Commentators have questioned the mandate for change, with some cynically suggesting it creates more complexity than it resolves. Yet, for fa...

How separating parents can resolve child arrangements, avoid stressful court battles, and take advantage of the Ministry of Justice’s £500 mediation voucher scheme. When parents separate or divorce, agreeing on how to raise their children across two households is rarely simple. Disagreements over living schedules, holiday arrangements, and schooling can quickly turn emotional. In the heat of the moment, going to court often feels like the only viable next step. However, resolving arrangements through the family courts is notoriously adversarial, lengthy, and expensive. Most importantly, it takes decisions out of your hands and places them with a judge who doesn't know your children. As D&A Solicitors expands its dedicated services to include professional Family Mediation , we are proud to offer parents a constructive, dignified, and child-centred route forward. What is Family Mediation? Family mediation is a confidential process where an impartial, accredited professional help...

The Home Office has intensified compliance audits and licence revocations across UK businesses. Here is how employers can protect their sponsor status and avoid catastrophic workforce disruptions. Holding a UK Sponsor Licence is a privilege rather than a right. While securing a licence enables businesses to access vital international talent, it also places substantial administrative and legal obligations on the employer. Over recent months, the Home Office has noticeably increased its enforcement activity, conducting both announced and unannounced on-site compliance visits across small and medium-sized enterprises throughout the West Midlands and beyond. At D&A Solicitors , we work closely with businesses across diverse sectors to ensure their immigration operations remain fully robust. A single compliance failure can lead to licence suspension, downgrading, or immediate revocation—an outcome that invalidates existing sponsored worker visas and halts future recruitment. The Anatomy...

Why obtaining your Final Order of divorce without a legally binding financial clean break leaves your future wealth exposed—and how saying "I do" again can permanently close the door to claims. When going through a divorce, reaching the Final Order (formerly Decree Absolute) feels like the ultimate finish line. It formally dissolves the marriage and restores your legal freedom to move on with life. However, one of the most dangerous and common misconceptions in family law is assuming that a divorce automatically ends your financial ties to your former spouse. In England and Wales, the divorce itself and the financial settlement are two entirely separate legal processes. Failing to sever financial claims with a legally binding court order leaves an open-ended door to future claims. Even worse, remarrying before those finances are resolved triggers what family lawyers refer to as the "Remarriage Trap" —a costly mistake that can severely compromise your financial secur...

As the Ministry of Justice considers major reforms to legal protections for unmarried couples, a high-profile debate has emerged over whether rights should be automatically imposed or strictly opt-in. The debate surrounding the legal rights of unmarried cohabiting couples in the UK has reached a critical juncture. Following the Ministry of Justice’s consultation, A Fairer End to Relationships , crossbench peer Baroness Ruth Deech has issued a stark warning to Justice Secretary Alex Norris. She argues that automatically imposing marriage-like legal rights and financial responsibilities onto cohabiting couples without their explicit consent represents a "profound constitutional change" for which the government lacks a public mandate. At D&A Solicitors , our family law team sees first-hand how the absence of automatic legal standing for unmarried partners can create friction and financial vulnerability during a breakup. However, as parliament debates whether protection shoul...

Whether you are buying your first home, selling a property, or remortgaging, having a CQS-accredited conveyancing team ensures your move proceeds smoothly and securely. Moving home is one of life’s most exciting milestones, but it can also be one of the most complex and stressful processes to navigate. The legal transfer of property ownership—conveyancing—requires meticulous attention to detail. Missing key elements in a contract or failing to resolve issues during property searches can lead to costly complications or compromised ownership rights down the line. At D&A Solicitors , our conveyancing team acts as your trusted partner through every step of the transaction. We manage the complex legal groundwork, keep all parties aligned, and work tirelessly to make your move as seamless and painless as possible. Understanding the Conveyancing Journey While every transaction is unique, a standard residential conveyancing process typically takes between 8 to 12 weeks from instructing yo...