Family and civil law

This paper describes what steps the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) may take when a Non-Resident Parent (also known as a “Paying Parent”) fails to pay child maintenance on time or in full. It also provides information on the application, collection and enforcement fees charged by the CMS, and briefly summarises analysis on the effectiveness of the CMS’s enforcement and collection system. This paper relates primary to Great Britain: Section 6 describes Northern Ireland’s system.

This House of Commons Library briefing sets out how the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) calculates the amount of child maintenance payable under the 2012 statutory child maintenance scheme.

This Commons Library briefing paper provides information about the freehold covenants. Specifically, detecting, enforcing, modifying or releasing a covenant.

This briefing paper looks at Hate Crime in England & Wales using figures provided by the Crime Survey of England and Wales (CSEW) and the Police Recorded Crime Series. The paper also presents data on hate crime rates per 100,000 population in each police force area and for each hate crime strand. It also looks at similar figures in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

This briefing paper deals with the UK Government’s consultation on the Gender Recognition Act 2004 and, more briefly, with the consultations conducted by the Scottish Government. These consultations asked whether the process for transgender people to gain legal recognition in their acquired gender should be reformed.

This note looks at the introduction of pension sharing on divorce provisions and points to some sources of information and guidance

This briefing provides an overview of disability discrimination law and explains legal duties to consider the needs of disabled people.

This Commons Library briefing paper deals with the current procedure and qualifying criteria for making complaints against solicitors and other lawyers across the United Kingdom.

The Private International Law (Implementation of Agreements) Bill 2019-21 was introduced in the House of Lords in February 2020. It would implement arrangements for cross-border legal disputes after the end of the transition period, when EU based arrangements cease to have effect in the UK. The House of Commons will consider amendments made by the House of Lords on 24 November.

This briefing paper describes the findings of the United Nations (UN) Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’ investigation into the UK in 2016, the UK and Devolved Government reactions, and subsequent developments, including the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on disabled persons’ rights.

A Westminster Hall debate on e-petitions 329339 and 332789, relating to support for live events and weddings during Covid-19, is scheduled for Monday 9 November 2020 at 6 pm. The debate will be opened by Elliot Colburn MP.

The Public Bill Committee for the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill concluded on 22 October 2020. Despite a significant number of tabled amendments to Parts 1 and 2 of the Bill, no changes were made. The Bill is not without controversy and MPs are expected to return to some of its more contentious provisions when it comes back to the Floor of the House. Report Stage is scheduled for 3 November 2020.