In FRB v DCA (No. 3) [2020] EWHC 3696 (Fam), Mr Justice Cohen was asked to revisit a final order due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the value of assets and the husband’s ability to pay a substantial lump sum to his wife.

A recent decision by the Court of Appeal has widened the scope for parties to financial remedy proceedings to challenge arbitral awards, arguably removing the major impediment to arbitration becoming mainstream in a family law context.

Following agreement by both the House of Commons and House of Lords, the text of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill received Royal Assent on 25 June 2020. The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 is now law. On account of the significant implementation period, it is likely it will not come into force until at least Autumn 2021.