Meet the Family team
Jemma Jones
Helen Cankett
Rebecca Pike
Hannah Mills
Madison Noel
Olivia Moore
Nicola Dicks
Latest from the Family team
The benefits of Family Mediation during National Family Mediation week
Helen Cankett, Partner in our Family team and qualified Family Mediator, shines a light on the resources available as a result of National Family Mediation Week
New roles for Family Partners at BPE Solicitors
Cheltenham based BPE Solicitors is delighted to announce that Partner Jemma Jones has taken over as Team Lead for the Family Team as of 1st February 2023.
The BPE Family Team Podcast
We're thrilled to be bringing you the BPE Family Team Podcast!
“Pre-action Protocols” in family cases: What happens before submitting an application to the court?
At the end of April this year, the Family Procedure Rules, which govern how family proceedings are dealt with, were updated to place a much greater focus on “non-court dispute resolution” (NCDR). In an effort to divert as many cases as possible away from court, the rules require couples to consider using a form of NCDR instead of making an application to court to resolve their dispute. Judges now have powers to halt proceedings if they consider that a couple have not properly looked into whether there is a form of NCDR that could assist them.
Pension Sharing Orders on Divorce
When considering the issue of finances upon a Divorce, pensions should always form part of this discussion. By ignoring pensions, this could mean that you are missing out on potential long-term income and future financial security.
What could happen to my jewellery after my divorce?
Jewellery can become a point of contention for some divorcing couples, as they attempt to resolve their financial matters following the breakdown of their marriage. Jewellery can hold a significant emotional attachment for some, which can cause difficulty in reaching a financial settlement, and valuing such items on the second-hand market can be problematic.
Should I be seeking equality of income or equality of capital upon my Divorce?
Pensions are often one of the most valuable assets a couple has and therefore, taking the necessary advice from specialists is vital to ensure a fair division of assets upon the breakdown of a marriage.
A View from the Bench: Helen Cankett Update
After being appointed as a Deputy District Judge in 2022, Helen Cankett reflects on her experiences so far.
Jade's Law
In this article, Hannah Mills goes through a recent update by the Justice Secretary, designed to give children better protection from harm.
Conduct in Financial Remedy Cases
In financial remedy proceedings, courts decide how the matrimonial assets should be divided upon divorce/dissolution. In making this decision, they must have regard to a variety of factors, one of which includes the party’s conduct throughout the court process.
New Joiner to BPE’s Family Team
Starting the year with growth in mind, BPE Solicitors welcomes Madison Noel to the firm. Madison joins the highly rated family team, as an assistant solicitor.
Family Mediation Week 2024
Today is the start of Family Mediation Week, which is a week dedicated to raising awareness of Family Mediation and the benefits it offers to separating couples.
Family mediation: amicable communication is key
Helen Cankett explains how family mediation is a way to keep relations amicable when their relationship comes to an end
The effect of COVID on financial settlements on divorce
Jemma Jones looks at the impact that COVID has had on financial settlements in divorce cases.
‘No fault divorce’ is now a reality
Helen Cankett, a Partner in the BPE Family team, explains what the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 is and how separating couples will benefit from it.
Avoiding certain pitfalls when dealing with a divorce
Rebecca Pike discusses the impact the Divorce Law Reform has had on the whole divorce process, and the common pitfalls that must be considered when ending a marriage or a civil partnership.
BPE Solicitors explores what the future of Private Financial Dispute Resolution could be
While every effort is made to make the divorce process as smooth as possible and to help couples come to a mutually agreeable conclusion, Helen Cankett explains that sometimes, couples can’t agree a financial settlement.
The rules surrounding Capital Gains Tax for separating and divorcing couples are being relaxed
As Family lawyers we try to relieve the stress of a divorce or dissolving a civil partnership wherever possible as we know it can be one of the most emotionally and mentally stressful periods of a person’s life
Recent changes to changes to how Mediation Information Meetings should be undertaken
Mediation is key part of the divorce and separation process and Helen Cankett always looks to keep negotiations and agreements out of the Courts.
Expertise at BPE reflected in top legal directory rankings
Chambers & Partners have recognised the expertise of BPE solicitors in the latest rankings, with five teams retaining their band rankings and nine solicitors across the commercial and family teams being individually acknowledged in the latest announcements.
Family Partner becomes Deputy District Judge
Helen Cankett, Partner and Team Leader of BPE Solicitors’ highly successful Family team has been appointed a Deputy District Judge.
Did you Know?
Following the introduction of the new divorce law in April 2022, the ability to ‘blame’ the other has been removed.
Private FDR: focusing on non-court dispute resolution
Since April 2024, there has been a greater focus on the requirement for couples going through a divorce to consider how they can resolve their dispute without recourse to the court process.