Family

Our Family Glossary

 

The court order when a child is adopted

Annul 

 

To declare no longer valid

 

This is a letter making an offer of settlement prior to the case going to hearing, similar to a Part 36 Offer

 

This is an order which places a child in the care of the local authority

 

Money due from a non-resident parent to the parent with whom the child lives

 

A member of a same-sex couple

 

This is where financial matters are agreed by the parties in full and final settlement and there is no ongoing financial arrangement between them either in terms of income or capital

 

A form of dispute resolution in which family lawyers and their clients agree in writing to reach a settlement without court involvement

 

An order which is negotiated and agreed by both parties and sanctioned by the Court

 

See Residence

 

A court order which dissolves a marriage

 

This is a document which is issued once the court is satisfied that the grounds of divorce are established

 

This is made when a child is deemed to be in immediate danger and may have to be taken away from home quickly

 

This is designed to enable parties to discuss and negotiate a final settlement of the matrimonial assets

 

This allows a Court to see if any agreement can be reached between the parties or identify any further steps which need to be taken

Infant 

 

A person under 18 years of age

 

This places a child in the care of the local authority on an interim basis whilst the family is assessed and until the court can make a final decision

 

A decree short of divorce, under which a couple remains legally married but their normal marital obligations cease and they no longer have to go on living together

 

Person under 17 years of age

 

Order for the payment of a capital sum from one party to another

 

A sum of money paid by one party to support the other party

 

A maintenance order for a sum of money made before the final order in proceeding

 

The process through which separating couples seek to reach an agreement

Minor 

 

Someone below 18 years of age

 

A person representing a minor or person deemed to lack mental capacity, who is involved in legal proceedings

 

A maintenance order which consists of a very small amount that it is not anticipated will be paid (simply to retain keep maintenance rights)

 

This decides who should live in a home after there has been violence or harassment

 

A person is brought into divorce proceedings, with whom the Respondent is alleged to have committed adultery

 

This allows the Court to make an Order directing Pension Trustees to pay a percentage of the lump sum or pension on maturity to the person named in the Order (previously knoan as earmarking)

 

The transfer of a specified amount from one party’s pension into a pension scheme of the other party’s choosing

 

A method of commencing divorce proceedings

 

This is where the police place a child under police protection if they think that the child is in immediate danger.

 

This is essentially a Pre Nuptial Agreement which is entered into during or after the marriage

 

An agreeement before marriage takes place, as to how assets should be split if a marriage breaks down - it is generally not enforced by British courts

 

This is a court order prohibiting the person specified in the order from taking a certain step - eg. to prevent a parent removing a child from the court's jurisdiction

 

This refers to where and with whom a child resides

 

Where periodical payments are secured by the investment of a capital asset

 

An order which gives the holder parental responsibility for a child and which allows them to use that to the exclusion of any other person with parental responsibility

 

A form setting out the details of arrangements for the children after the divorce

 

The title given to a minor who is the subject of a wardship order.

 

The order ensures that custody of the minor is held by the Court with everyday care of the minor being carried out by an individual or local authority, with all decisions regarding the upbringing of the minor to be approved by the Court

 

This is a principle applied for sharing the value of the assets left after the needs of the parties for housing, child care and day to day living costs have been met
 
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