You’ll find our own Matthew Godden and Peter Blandin featured in an insightful article exploring co-parenting after separation.

Read “When Relationships End but Parenting Continues: Making Co-Parenting Work” in Gallery Magazine Jersey.

If you’d like further guidance or wish to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact Matt or Peter at family@lgl.je

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The Practice Direction highlights that an application will need to be made to the Court and, when considering whether to grant permission for an expert to be appointed, the Court will hear as to why the expert evidence is necessary for the outcome of the case, rather than being “reasonably required” or “helpful”. The Court will also prefer that a single, joint expert is appointed rather than separate experts for each party.

Our team are well versed in matters before the Family Court and consider that this Practice Direction will help families to try and streamline cases, instead of relying upon expert evidence which may not assist the Court and can cause delay and unnecessary expense. If you are currently involved in proceedings before the Family Court, or are considering legal proceedings, and are unsure of what may be involved, please contact our expert Family team at family@lgl.je who will be able to assist you.

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After over 20 years away, the Chamber of Commerce has returned to the building it first called home in 1821—a place that served as its base for 180 years. Now, with a renewed sense of purpose and connection to its heritage, they reopen their doors in the heart of Jersey’s civic life, just steps from the States Assembly.

The building itself is steeped in island history—once the residence of diarist Jean Chevalier and later home to Perrot’s printing works and La Chronique de Jersey.

At the heart of this move was our very own Senior Conveyancer, Glen Ozouf, whose dedication, diligence and deep understanding of Jersey property law were instrumental in steering this transaction to completion. His work ensured a smooth and successful return for the Chamber—one that reflects both legacy and progress.

We were also proud to work alongside valued Chamber members including Cherry Godfrey, NatWest International, Queree Properties, and Wills & Co.

Congratulations to Jersey Chamber of Commerce on your homecoming. And Glen—exceptional work, as always.

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The wedding dress, the venue, the guest list, the photographer, the cake, these are just some of the many things that need to be organised before the big day and now it is becoming more commonplace to add another to that list – the prenuptial agreement. According to the New Marriage Foundation research one in five weddings in the UK now start with a prenup and a YouGov poll in 2023 found that 42% of British people consider prenups a good idea, compared with 13% who consider them a bad idea.

A pre-nuptial agreement is an agreement made by a couple before they marry or enter into a civil partnership, which sets out how they wish their assets to be divided if they should divorce or have their civil partnership dissolved. The agreement sets out what will happen to assets that were purchased both before and after the marriage and assets held in both sole and joint names in the unfortunate event the marriage breaks down and ends in divorce.

Prenuptial Agreements are understandably viewed by many as unromantic and contrary to the very notion of marriage.  Talking aboutthe possibility of breaking up is a conversation that many people don’t want to have before they are about to tie the knot but the reality is that on marriage as well as the loving commitment you are making to each other you are also making a contractual commitment – yes that makes marriage sound like a business arrangements which of course it’s not but fact is that it is estimated that the divorce rate in the UK is around 42%; nobody gets married to get divorced but it is sadly something that happens.

The happiness of a wedding day could be followed in years to come by arguments about finances and financial disclosure, about what should happen with the monies that were inherited or gifted to one party by a grandparent or parent and for some couples they may rather set out clearly at the outset what will happen in that eventuality.  With a prenup in place you can determine how your wealth should be split yourself, rather than, should you get divorced and be unable to reach an amicable agreement, leave it in the hands of the Court.  A pre-nup can reduce potential conflict.

Prenuptial agreements are most common when people are getting married for the second or third time as they may want to protect assets they have acquired as part of their divorce or when they have inherited or may inherit from their family.  Prenups can cover anything from money to property to belongings, they can include pre-marriage assets, inherited wealth and also future assets such as expected inheritance.  It doesn’t matter whether the value is millions, thousands or just sentimental.

A few key points to consider in relation to pre-nuptial agreements:

·         You should ideally enter your prenup at least 28 days before your wedding day.

·         You will both need to get legal advice so you understand what you are signing.

·         The agreement must be entered of your own free will.

·         Both parties will need to disclose all their finances.

·         What is fair at the time you enter the pre-nup may not be fair in the future so you should keep it under review.  The most obvious example of this is children, a pre-nup that does not take into account children may well not be upheld by the Courts.

·         Pre-nuptial agreements are not automatically enforceable in the Jersey court, the fairness of upholding any particular agreement will be considered by the court on a case by case basis. In the absence of circumstances which would make it unfair, it may well be upheld.

If you want to know more about pre-nuptial agreements including the fixed fee packages Le Gallais & Luce offer, or have any questions about any family law issues, please contact Matthew Godden at family@lgl.je or by phone on 01534 760760.

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Fresh off the back of his incredible semi-final run in his last tournament of 2024, Archie was fired up to go even further. Placed in a tough group of five, he battled hard and advanced to the knockout stage, ultimately making it to the Quarter-finals. There, he faced a formidable 17-year-old opponent who has been in outstanding form this season.

Archie’s impressive performance against such a strong competition highlights his rapid progress and determination. With such fantastic start to the year, we’re excited to see what’s next for this rising star – watch this space!

The post Young Snooker Sensation flies into Under 21 Tournament appeared first on Le Gallais & Luce.

This is the 20th Anniversary edition, congratulations to Gallery.

Love and Law: Are prenuptial agreements unromantic or sensible. Check out the article and if you would like any advice on pre and post nuptial agreements or family law generally, please give Matt a call 760 760, send him an email mgodden@lgl.je

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