Matrimonial Causes Act 1973: Primary legislation governing divorce proceedings and financial settlements. Sets out the factors courts must consider when dividing matrimonial assets between separating parties.
Children Act 1989: Fundamental legislation covering arrangements for children, defining parental responsibility, and establishing the paramount principle that the child's welfare is the court's primary consideration.
Family Law Act 1996: Provides the legal framework for domestic proceedings, including occupation rights and non-molestation orders in family homes.
Civil Partnership Act 2004: Legislation applicable when the separating parties are in a civil partnership rather than a marriage.
Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016: Legislation affecting child maintenance arrangements and welfare benefits considerations in family separations.
Human Rights Act 1998: Ensures that separation agreements comply with fundamental human rights obligations under English law.
Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996: Legislation governing property ownership matters and trust arrangements in family separation cases.
Child Support Act 1991: Legislation establishing the framework for child maintenance arrangements and calculations.
White v White [2000]: Landmark case law establishing the principle of equality in division of assets in divorce cases.
Miller v Miller; McFarlane v McFarlane [2006]: Key case law establishing the three principles of needs, compensation, and sharing in financial settlement cases.
