Reviewed by: David Pickup
Author: District Judge Marc Marin
Publisher: Family Law
ISBN: 978-184661-207-7
Price: £60.00

The busy family law practitioner is likely to need this book if he or she deals with such cases where separating parents have a child with brain damage or learning difficulties, or one of the parties to a marriage lacks capacity.

Sadly it is a growing area of law as local authority and other services for the disabled are increasingly rationed or withdrawn, and an increasing number of people in an ageing population suffer from dementia and similar disorders.

The author is an experienced former solicitor who has practised in family law and now sits as a judge in Civil and family matters as well as the Court of Protection.

The Family Lawyer and the Court of protection introduces the relatively new court and has sections on the Rules, Powers of Attorney, the role of the Official Solicitor, and Deprivation of Liberty.

The book covers issues commonly found in practise, such as - what do you do if you cannot find a doctor who will sign the capacity form?

And will a judge always follow "expert" advice and what weight will be given to a disabled person’s wishes?

These are the vital practical nitty gritty questions that clients need answers to and fortunately this book covers.

It is a short work at 433 pages of which only 134 are text and rest are appendices. However much is contained in this book in a readable clear way.

The appendices include rules, practise directions, and specimen orders. The precedents are useful and practical.

There is an interesting section of case studies which deserve a close look.

I suspect this book will have a wider application than just family lawyers and will be of value to many lawyers who need a clear, realistic book of reference.

David Pickup is senior partner of Pickup & Scott

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