Family Law

An innovative new online child maintenance calculator has been launched to help parents in coming to arrangements on child maintenance payments. The calculator was launched yesterday and can be accessed online at www.childmaintenancecalculator.ie.

The High Court has determined that the court is not precluded by the provisions of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964 from considering an application for access to a child in the absence of an expert report conveying the “views of the child”. Delivering judgment for the High Court, Mr

The Supreme Court has confirmed that Isaac Wunder orders can be made in family law proceedings and that District and Circuit Courts have power to make such orders. Delivering the leading judgment for the Supreme Court, Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne explained that while family law proceedings are partic

The High Court has made orders in respect of maintenance arrears, contents division and for the appointment of a property management agency following alleged breaches of divorce settlement terms. Delivering judgment for the High Court, Ms Justice Nuala Jackson remarked that “court time and res

New family courts will be brought into operation on a phased basis beginning in January 2027, Jim O'Callaghan has said. The minister for justice, migration and home affairs set out his implementation plan for the Family Courts Act 2024 at the fifth session of the Family Justice Development Forum yes

Dr Carol Coulter is to lead the establishment of a new government-backed family law reporting project, modelled on the Child Law Project she started in 2012. The Family Law Reporting Project aims to enhance transparency for the public about private family law proceedings and build confidence in the

Northern Ireland's family courts should apply a "presumption against contact" in cases involving domestic violence and abuse, a report has recommended.

Northern Ireland firm Allsopp Campbell Rainey has appointed Carla Fraser as partner and head of family law. Ms Fraser brings with her more than a decade of specialist experience across complex matrimonial, divorce, and Children NI Order matters, including high-profile and sensitive cases.

Northern Ireland’s Court of Appeal has dismissed a father’s appeal against the High Court’s refusal to make an order for the return of his children from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland. Delivering judgment for the Court of Appeal, Lady Chief Justice Siobhan Keegan expla

The High Court has, on appeal, made orders for proper provision for a woman who was misled into signing an unfavourable separation agreement by her then-husband. Delivering judgment for the High Court, Mr Justice John Jordan opined: “The husband literally led his wife up the garden path and fo

Italy did not violate Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights by removing a woman from the birth certificate of a child born in Italy to same-sex parents by means of assisted reproduction abroad, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled. The court yesterday handed down its 6-1 major

Upcoming legislation must "finally provide a workable framework for assisted human reproduction", an Oireachtas committee has said. The Oireachtas joint committee on health has made 18 recommendations in its report on pre-legislative scrutiny of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) (Amendment) B

A new social media awareness campaign has been launched to encourage compliance with child maintenance orders. The awareness campaign is to run across several social media and video platforms from today.

A new podcast series co-hosted by former Supreme Court judge Ms Justice Marie Baker will analyse recent divorce and judicial separation cases. The Bar of Ireland will release the podcast — co-hosted by Clare Collins SC — every Thursday for six weeks, beginning this Thursday 18 September.

Construction on the long-awaited Dublin family courts complex at Hammond Lane is set to begin in "early 2027", Jim O'Callaghan has said. The justice, home affairs and migration minister yesterday provided an update on the project, which has advanced to the next stage in the procurement process.