Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022

/in /by

The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 came into force on Monday 27 February 2023, varying the minimum age of marriage. The Act is long overdue and is very much welcomed by divorce lawyers in England and Wales.

Traditionally, the minimum age of marriage was 12 for a woman and 14 for a man. When the Ages of Marriage Act 1929 came into force, it raised the minimum age of marriage in the UK to 16, on condition that parental consent was obtained from each child’s parent or guardian.

The introduction of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 is intended to safeguard children from forced marriages and the related risk of exploitation, by raising the current legal age from 16 to 18 years old, irrespective of parental consent. To be clear, forced marriage is when you face physical pressure to marry (for example, threats, physical violence or sexual violence) or emotional and psychological pressure.

It is now no longer possible for anyone under 18 to marry or enter a Civil Partnership. Indeed, it will be a criminal offence for anyone under 18 to enter a marriage, and there will be no longer be the necessity to find evidence of coercion.

Further, any person who even attempts to organise a marriage where someone is under 18 will commit an offence under section 121 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. This includes actions such as booking a church, or other venue for the purpose of a marriage.

Though guidance has been organised for many organisations, to include educational organisations, it is vital that children, parents, grandparents, educators and other professionals know about this alteration in law and understand that child marriage is illegal in England and Wales. Therefore, if you require any help, or assistance on this issue, or any issue relating to a family matter, to include divorce, nullity, or financial matters connected to divorce, please do not hesitate to contact our specialist divorce lawyers here at

Adams Harrison, 14 – 16 Church Street, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 1JW,
Adams Harrison, 52a High Street, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 8AR,
or
Adams Harrison, 43 High Street, Sawston, Cambridge, CB22 3BG,

and ask to speak to our expert lawyers Shoshana Goldhill, Emma Bilsborrow, or Kerri Westlake.

Plans For Further Protections for Expectant Mothers

/in /by

The Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Bill has had its first reading in the House of Lords. There is no detail yet as to when draft regulations will be published to amend the Employment Rights Act 1996. However, should the Bill be enacted it will provide protection against redundancy for pregnant women as well as during or after maternity leave, adoption leave or shared parental leave that is not currently available.

At present there is no reason why a pregnant woman, or someone on maternity leave cannot be made redundant as long as the selection for redundancy is not related to a reason connected to child birth or maternity leave. Women have the protection of the Equality Act 2010 in that regard in that it is unlawful discrimination to cause a woman to suffer unfavourable treatment for a reason connected to pregnancy, child birth or maternity leave. So, watch this space for new laws on their way affording even greater protection.

If you require advice about redundancy or your rights and entitlements during pregnancy and/or maternity leave our employment law specialist, Jennifer Carpenter, solicitor and managing partner has over 20 years experience of advising employees and employers.

Kerri Westlake

/in /by

Kerri Westlake Adams Harrison

The partners are delighted to announce that Kerri has been approved as a Chartered Legal Executive.

Adams Harrison considers that internal progression is an important part of the culture of the firm and Kerri is an example of the opportunities available, having joined the firm after finishing school and working up through the ranks.

Kerri became a graduate legal executive in 2015 and formally became a fee earner in 2016.

She has 6 years’ experience already and is well-versed in handling complex cases but the fellowship with the Institute of Legal Executives was delayed due to the pandemic and associated factors. The partners are delighted that she has finally received this well-deserved recognition.

Congratulations Kerri!

Spring Is Coming

/in /by

Snowdrops blooming in early spring among fallen leaves, symbolizing renewal and hope.

Debra Tofts, our friendly receptionist in Sawston, is also a Mental Health First Aider within the firm.

She is often inspired to write and circulate a poem to staff to lift the spirits, and has kindly given permission for this one to be published on our website and social media pages.

It’s Coming

You can feel it

You can see it

You can hear it

It’s coming

 

It brings you hope

It lifts you up

It restores you

It’s coming

 

Out of shadows

Out of darkness

Out of chill

It’s coming

 

The days longer

The rays brighter

The warmth alluring

It’s coming

 

Just around the corner

Just within our grasp

Just teasing us gently

It’s coming

Jack Stewart, New Partner

/in /by

The Partners are delighted to announce that Jack Stewart was promoted to Partner with effect from 1st January 2023.

The Partnership Team comprises: Jennifer Carpenter, Melanie Pratlett, Shoshana Goldhill, Richard Booth and Jack Stewart.

Papworth Trust Donation

/in /by

We were delighted to meet Jo Revitt from Papworth Trust on 5th January to present her with a donation cheque for £150.

Adams Harrison donate to 3 charities each Christmas (local to each of our three offices) as an alternative to sending Christmas cards.

Click here for more information about Papworth Trust and the work they do.

In the picture Jennifer Carpenter, Managing Partner (left), presenting the cheque to Jo Revitt (right).

Foodbank Donation December 2022

/in /by
Bright Christmas hamper filled with assorted snacks, canned goods, and treats, decorated with festive tinsel.

The staff at Saffron Walden office collected items to donate to Uttlesford foodbank.

More details can be found here: https://uttlesford.foodbank.org.uk/

Christmas Jumper Day 2022

/in /by
Festive office celebration at Adams Harrison with team members wearing Christmas sweaters and holiday decorations.

Once again Adams Harrison staff were excited to join in the Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day 2022, and they were all very grateful for the extra layer of clothing due to winter finally arriving with sub-zero temperatures overnight!

We are busy counting the donations made by staff who donned their Christmas jumpers.

This year will be TWICE as good as before because for every £2 donated the UK government promised to give £2 to Save the Children too.

Here is a photo of our staff in Saffron Walden office who got into the Christmas spirit!

Happy Birthday Christine

/in /by

Christine Gee, our Wills & Probate specialist paralegal in Sawston office celebrates a significant birthday this weekend.

Happy birthday Christine!

We won’t give away your age except to say it has an 0 in it.

Celebrating women in the law over the past 100 years

/in /by

100 years ago the first woman was admitted to the Law Society of England & Wales.

In fact the following momentous achievements for women all happened in 1922:
• Dr Ivy Williams was the first woman to be called to the Bar in May 1922. She did not practice as a barrister but became the first woman to teach law at an English university.
• Helena Normanton became the first woman to practice as a barrister in England. Helena was called to the Bar in November 1922 and went on to become the first female counsel in cases at the High Court of Justice, and the first woman to obtain a divorce for a client.
• Carrie Morrison became the first woman admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales in December 1922. Maud Crofts, Mary Elizabeth Pickup and Mary Elaine Sykes also passed their Law Finals Examination at the same time but Carrie was the first to complete her articles and be admitted to the Law Society Roll.

The fight for equality in the legal profession actually started decades earlier. It was in 1878 that Janet Wood became the first woman to complete a law degree in the UK. Even then women were only permitted to take a ‘Special Exam for Women’ which was offered as an alternative to the men’s degree exam.

Some 100 or more years later the fight for equality in the legal profession continues and every year all women in the profession celebrate new milestones for equality and diversity.
• In 2017 Lady Hale was appointed the first woman President of the UK Supreme Court.
• In 2018 the Supreme Court saw its first female-majority panel hear a case – with Lady Hale, Lady Black and Lady Arden sitting as three out of five judges to hear the case re D.
• In 2019 Elizabeth Johnson became the first female chartered legal executive to be appointed a judge.

At Adams Harrison we are proud of our balance of male and female leaders

In December 2022:
• The firm is owned by an all-female partnership, comprising Shoshana Goldhill; Melanie Pratlett and Jennifer Carpenter. Other partners include Richard Booth and, as of 1st January 2022, we welcome Jack Stewart as a partner.
• Equality and Diversity is integral to our working practices and recruitment plans
• As at December we are made up of:
• Six female and four male qualified lawyers
• Two female unqualified lawyers
• One female and one male trainee solicitors
• One female practice manager

There are more achievements to be made for equality and diversity in the legal profession and we are excited to be part of the journey.