Lord Justice Nicholas Wall has been confirmed as President of the Family Division with effect from 13 April 2010 following the retirement of The Right Honourable Sir Mark Potter on 5 April 2010.

The European Commission (EU) is to bring into force new rules in ten EU member states to allow “international couples” to choose which country’s law should apply to their divorce.

The House of Lords has agreed to Part 2 of the Children, Schools and Families Bill allowing further media access in family proceedings. The Bill was considered by the House of Lords in the “wash-up” process prior to the dissolution of parliament before the general election.

The Court of Appeal is, at the time of going to press, considering the appeal in Vaughan v Vaughan in which a fi rst wife is seeking a lump sum payment and increase in periodical payments some 25 years after the parties divorced.