
A decision in Australia in August 2023 held that a family court judge at first instance had no judicial immunity when taking a decision outside his power and distinctive family court jurisdiction and was liable in damages to one of the parties. I wrote an extensive article and commentary for the Financial Remedy Journal. The case has now gone to appeal to Australia’s highest court, and it has been held that the previous decision was wrong and the judge and others acting on his orders do have immunity. This important decision may well be followed in other common law jurisdictions. This summarises the position.
!06/05/2025 07:00
As helpfully summarised by Calum Smith on the FRJ website Mostyn J’s judgment in James v Seymour [2023] EWHC 844 (Fam) 675 included a renewed attempt to tackle how Child Maintenance should be calculated, effectively refining the methodology first se…
!29/05/2023 08:00
One of the sobering experiences of training to be a lawyer – the dawning realisation that it isn’t all dramatic cross-examination and fighting for the underdog – is legal research. Like learning a new language (let’s say, German), it’s a long and often tedious process. Some trainees, admittedly, seem to enjoy the tedium more than others. I was firmly in the ‘not enjoying this tedium’ camp.
!09/05/2025 09:04
Peel J. Final Hearing in Ultra High Net Worth FR case involving valuations of complex business structures.
HHJ Hess. Final hearing involving valuation and matrimonial nature of business.
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