Bindmans

Well done to Annie Leach in our Family team on her insightful article in the International Family Law Journal.

Irene Karidas, solicitor in our family team, discusses the question of who gets to keep the family pet when going through a divorce. During the pandemic, there was a surge in pet-ownership, with almost 3.2 million pets being bought, making this topic increasingly relevant. To find out more, read here: https://lnkd.in/eQdpwgN4 #FamilyLaw #PetsInDivorce

Monika Sobiecki, Partner in our Media Team, and Liz Barrett, Head of our Immigration Team, both commented in the Legal Comment of the Week section of the current issue of Edward Fennell's 'Legal Diary'.   Liz commented on the claim that Germany has become a central location for the storage of boats and engines eventually used in illegal immigration Channel crossings. "If the UK government is genuinely committed to reducing numbers crossing the Channel, then the fastest way to do this would be to create safe, legal routes for genuine refugees in need of protection."   Monika commented on the decision of the High Court in London to issue an order that Yahya Assiri, a pro-democracy and human rights activist, can serve his claim on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding the targeting of his mobile devices and their infection by Pegasus and QuaDream spyware. “This is a huge moment for Yahya Assiri’s case, where the High Court has accepted our evidence that Yahya has a reasonable prospect of winning his claim against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and thus has granted permission for the claim to be served out on the state."   Read more, including their full comments, here: https://lnkd.in/eSytu_UQ

Jenni Whitaker, Liz Barratt and Elisabeth Attwood from our immigration team have written in Solicitors Journal, reflecting on the government's inaction in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and on how there are almost no safe routes to the UK for Gazans seeking respite with their family in the UK. The team have been working with clients for over a year but so far none have been issued a visa.   "The government’s inaction and the Home Office’s approach to these very compelling cases is denying Gazan civilians a chance of reaching safety and being reunited with their families. The government have the power to change this … they choose not to do so." Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ek6QF8-7

Congratulations Imogen Arzt-Jones. Very well deserved!

As expected, most individuals will check the official table of UKVI fees and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) costs on the government website to know what they will be charged when applying to enter or remain in the UK. Shanaz Ali, Solicitor in our Immigration, Asylum and Nationality team, discusses the disparity in fees between in-country and out-of-country applicants. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e_gHyXMy

Maeve Lucey, Solicitor in our family law team has had an article published in the October edition of The Expert Witness. She says: "New rules, such as these, always cause a little flip flop in the stomachs of family lawyers nationwide. However, on this occasion, there is real cause for celebration. The new rules are easy for lawyers and the general public alike to understand. The aim of the new rules is to keep cases out of court, and encourage settlement at an early stage." Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eBvYpVgU

The High Court in London issued an order that Yahya Assiri can serve his claim on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after an application by the Media and Information law team at Bindmans. By granting permission to serve out on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Court agrees that there is an arguable case against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Yahya Assiri is a pro-democracy and human rights activist. He is a founding member, and the former Secretary General, of the National Assembly Party, a Saudi opposition party and the founder of ALQST for Human Rights, a non-governmental organisation which works to promote and defend human rights in Saudi Arabia. Monika Sobiecki of our Media and Information Law team says: "This is a huge moment for Yahya Assiri’s case, where the High Court has accepted our evidence that Yahya has a reasonable prospect of winning his claim against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and thus has granted permission for the claim to be served out on the state. The High Court has thus sent a powerful signal that states cannot shroud their conduct with secrecy and avoid accountability for the transnational repression of dissidents." This story has been covered by Reuters, Global Legal Group and various other news outlets. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eGtxJvs3

Well done to everyone at Bindmans with individual or team recognition in the Chambers & Partners 2025 UK guide. This year we're proud to have achieved 21 practice area and 66 individual rankings. Thanks to all of our referees for the positive and encouraging feedback, including:   "Bindmans are at the top of their game."   "The team at Bindmans prepare to a high standard and what is really impressive about them is their collaborate approach and care."   It was great to see during the Chambers launch presentation that Bindmans are joint 13th in the table of most successful firms in the London and UK-wide categories for top-ranked practice areas.   You can read more about our rankings by clicking here: https://lnkd.in/edme6njQ

With our team previously writing about Domestic Abuse Protection Notices & Orders, the government recently announced on 24th September 2024 an update to its plan. The launch of the pilot is due to begin in November, in Greater Manchester and the London Boroughs of Croydon, Sutton & Bromley.   Alison Leivesley & Isobel Hubner look at the update and provide an insight into the Orders & Notices which you can read in more detail by clicking here: https://lnkd.in/eJ823Zhy