Viva Brighton Issue #65 July 2018

ADVERTORIAL
Harney &
Wells
SPECIALIST FAMILY
S O L I C I T O R S
BITS AND MOGS
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CATS SEEKING LAPS #2
DOMESTIC ABUSE
AND THE FAMILY COURT
The Court presumes that the involvement
of a parent in a child’s life will further the
child’s welfare so long as that involvement
does not put the child or the other parent at
risk of suffering harm.
Domestic abuse can affect anybody;
regardless of their gender, age, race,
sexuality, religion or social background.
Domestic abuse can encompass but is not
limited to, psychological, physical, sexual,
financial or emotional abuse.
There is evidence that domestic abuse is
harmful to children and the Court have put
in place Practice Direction 12J which sets
out what steps should be taken in any case
involving children in which it is alleged or
admitted, or there is other reason to believe,
that the child or a party has experienced
domestic abuse perpetrated by another
party or that there is a risk of some abuse.
It is important that you make your family
lawyer aware at the earliest opportunity if
domestic abuse is a factor in your case so
that steps can be taken to inform the Court
and so that the Practice Direction can be
implemented.
If domestic abuse is a factor in your matter,
then you may be eligible for public funding.
We are able to advise over the telephone
if this is the case and guide you as to the
evidence requirements for the Legal Aid
Agency. If you are not eligible for public
funding, then we offer an initial one hour
consultation at £100.00 plus VAT.
Name: Jake
Age: 2-ish, still with eight lives left!
Likes: Intense purring sessions with rubbing,
rolling and possibly a bit of ecstatic drooling;
long, philosophical conversations about life, dry
food vs locally sourced vermin, and the pros and
cons of outdoor toileting; people of all sizes;
pawing my water bowl; running amok; monocles;
night time cuddling; rounded corners; whittling;
sleeping in small boxes, and garden digging.
Dislikes: Pirate jokes; cars of any make or
model; black cat stereotyping; swimming; the 5th
of November, and relegation.
WLTM: Fans of my roguish good looks, Seagulls
supporters, anyone willing to repeatedly
throw crumpled paper for me. You must have a
GSOH, a garden, surround-sound and a warm
tummy suitable for kneading.
Find Jake and his many feline friends at Raystede
Centre for Animal Welfare. All their animals are
vet checked, microchipped and character assessed,
and Raystede provide life-long support and advice
for their rescued animals. raystede.org
Words and picture by Cammie Toloui
cammietoloui.com
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