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Child arrangements in 2026: what parents should know about the planned parental involvement reform
If you are separating in 2026, the rules on how courts decide child arrangements are about to shift. The government is removing the presumption of parental involvement from the Children Act 1989 through the Courts and Tribunals Bill, so courts will no longer start from the assumption that contact with both parents is automatically best for a child. Every decision will instead rest on the facts of the case. This matters whether you are applying for a child arrangements order o
ATHILAW
Jun 153 min read


Cohabiting Couples in Sheffield: Why the Common Law Marriage Myth Is Back in the News
If you live with your partner in Sheffield without being married or in a civil partnership, you may believe you have legal rights to their property, finances, or pension if the relationship ends. That belief is one of the most widespread and damaging legal myths in England and Wales, and it is back in the headlines because of renewed debate around cohabitation rights following the June 2026 divorce finance consultation. Common law marriage does not exist in England and Wales.
ATHILAW
Jun 126 min read


What the June 2026 Divorce Finance Consultation Could Mean for Separating Couples
The government's consultation on divorce finance, launched in June 2026, is one of the most significant reviews of matrimonial financial law in England and Wales in over fifty years. If you are going through a separation, planning to start proceedings, or have recently reached a financial settlement, this consultation is worth your attention. The rules that govern how money, property, and pensions are divided on divorce have not had a fundamental overhaul since the Matrimonia
ATHILAW
Jun 125 min read


The 2026 family law reforms: What the proposed changes mean for your divorce settlement
The proposed 2026 family law reforms do not yet create a new automatic formula for divorce settlements, but they do show a clear direction of travel. If you are separating, you should expect more pressure to disclose finances properly, consider mediation or other non-court options, and reach a settlement that is fair, evidence-based and capable of being approved by the court. The most important point is this: divorce and financial settlement are not the same thing. You can be
ATHILAW
May 2911 min read


Navigating the UK’s transition to eVisas in 2026: A guide for employers and employees
The UK’s immigration system is now largely digital, which means many people must prove their immigration status through an eVisa rather than a physical BRP, BRC or passport vignette. If you are an employer, you should not rely on screenshots, email confirmations or old physical documents alone. If you are an employee, you should check that your UKVI account works, your passport details are up to date, and you can generate a share code before you need it. This matters because
ATHILAW
May 2712 min read


The April 2026 Skilled Worker salary rules: Is your Sponsor Licence at risk?
From 8 April 2026, UK sponsors need to be more careful about how Skilled Worker salaries are paid, recorded and reported, not just what annual salary is written on the Certificate of Sponsorship. If the salary on your payroll, contract or HR records does not match the salary promised to the Home Office, your sponsor licence could be at risk. For many employers, this will not be a dramatic change in how they recruit. It will be a practical change in how carefully they check sa
ATHILAW
May 2512 min read


Rent In Advance, Pets And Bidding Wars: The New Rules Tenants Should Know From May 2026
If you are renting privately in England, several important changes under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 now affect how you find and live in a rented home. From 1 May 2026, the rules around rent in advance, rental bidding, pets, rent increases, and assured tenancies changed for most private renters. This article focuses on three changes that are especially relevant to tenants: how much rent a landlord can ask for upfront, whether you can request to keep a pet, and how rental pro
ATHILAW
May 2210 min read


Landlords: The 31 May Information Sheet Deadline You Cannot Ignore
If you rent out a property in England and you have not yet given your tenants the official Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026, you are running out of time. For existing assured or assured shorthold tenancies created before 1 May 2026 with a wholly or partly written record of terms, the deadline is 31 May 2026. A copy must be given to every tenant named on the tenancy agreement. This is not a document you can rewrite in your own words or replace with a link. GOV.UK gui
ATHILAW
May 2010 min read


What The Renters’ Rights Act Means If Your Landlord Wants You To Leave In 2026
If your landlord has told you they want you out of your rented home, you have significantly more protection in 2026 than you did just a year ago. The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025, and the main private rented sector tenancy reforms came into force in England on 1 May 2026. This is one of the biggest changes to tenant rights in a generation. If you are renting privately, you need to understand exactly where you stand before you do anything.
ATHILAW
May 1811 min read


How to Bring Your Dependants to the UK: A Guide to Family Visa Applications
One of the most common reasons people seek immigration advice is not for themselves — it is for their family. Whether you want to bring your spouse, your children, or a close relative to live with you in the UK, the process requires careful navigation. The rules are detailed, the financial requirements are significant, and the documentation expected is extensive. The good news is that the UK's family visa system does provide established routes for bringing dependants here, an
ATHILAW
May 1510 min read
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