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JULY 2013
Legal Focus
77
Where do you see family law practice going in this area?
I foresee much more awareness in England of international issues because we have so many international families across the country, and not just in a couple of major cities as with many other countries. We are probably the most international country in the world in that respect. These are complex laws and I expect the international work to be concentrated amongst specialist practices. This will benefit international families.
I foresee the need for many better associations of lawyers around the world undertaking this work. It is vital for us that we know of other very good lawyers in other jurisdictions with whom to consult and work closely for our international families.
I hope that the EU will one day soon take cognizance that we specialist lawyers do have a good understanding of the problems faced by international families and listen to us before they dash into introducing more and more complex and sometimes almost unworkable legislation.
I hope that the EU will also stop trying to impose laws on national countries which have impact beyond EU cases.
I would very much like to see some advanced discussion between practising lawyers, academics, policy advisers and others about the creation of an international family law into which international families can opt and which can then be resolved in any country without reference to technical and legal national issues. This is another vision. It is years away but unless we have this vision, nothing will happen.
We had the vision of setting up The International Family Law Group LLP and it has been incredibly successful, helping many international families and children worldwide. We are highly committed to improving the lot of international families and we have a vision for how that law can be accomplished. It now needs time and commitment to be accomplished. happen! LM
It will
David Hodson is a family law dispute res- olution specialist. He is a English solicitor (1978 and accredited 1996), mediator (1997), family arbitrator (2002), Deputy District Judge at the Principal Registry of the Family Division, High Court, London (1995) and an Australian (NSW) solicitor (2003) and mediator. He deals with complex family law cases, often with an international element.
The International Family Law Group LLP is a specialist law firm providing services to the international community as well as for purely national clients.
iFLG has a special
contract for child abduction work and is regularly instructed by the UK Government (Central Authority). It acts for international families, ex pats and others in respect of financial implications of relationship breakdown including forum shopping and international enforcement of orders.
It receives
instructions from foreign lawyers and, as accredited specialists, acts for clients of other law firms seeking their specialist experience.
Contact:
david Hodson the International Family Law Group LLP
Hudson House, 8 tavistock Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7PP tel: 07973 890648 Email: david.hodson@iflg.uk.com Website: www.iflg.uk.com