Parklane Plowden Podcast

Parklane Plowden

Listen to the latest episodes of the Parklane Plowden Podcast, featuring conversations with barristers and guest speakers on topics from across Chambers’ practice areas and expertise.

  1. Jul 24

    Contentious conversations: Inheritance Act claims involving minors

    Parklane Plowden barrister Cait Sweeney and head of the Chancery team, Nicola Phillipson, are joined by Henry Straw, associate solicitor at IDR Law, to explore the legal principles, challenges and considerations when children seek financial provision from a deceased person's estate under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. The podcast outlines the categories of children who may bring claims under the Act, including biological children, adopted children, children treated members of the deceased's family, and those maintained by the deceased. The speakers also consider more complex situations, such as children conceived after the deceased's death through assisted reproduction, highlighting that advances in reproductive technology may lead to more claims of this nature in the future. It also provides practical guidance on valuing claims, negotiating and approving settlements involving minors, and addressing procedural and tax considerations to ensure settlements are legally effective. /

  2. Jun 8

    The legal reality of surrogacy and modern families

    Parklane Plowden family law barristers Katherine Goss and Martin Kingerley KC, and head of the Family team Julia Nelson, are joined by Shanika Haynes and Cheryl Grace, partners at Stowe Family Law, to explore the current legal framework governing surrogacy in England and Wales, examining how well it reflects modern family creation. Many intended parents are surprised to learn that, under current law, the surrogate is the child’s legal parent at birth, even where there is no biological connection. Intended parents only become legal parents once a parental order is granted by the court, and this cannot be applied for until at least six weeks after the child is born. During that interim period, families can feel uncertain and legally exposed. Importantly, surrogacy agreements are not legally enforceable in the UK. While most arrangements proceed smoothly, the law does allow a surrogate to change her mind, which can lead to stressful and emotionally difficult disputes if expectations have not been properly managed. Drawing on extensive professional experience, the speakers emphasise that while surrogacy is increasingly common, the law has not kept pace with social and medical developments. Common misconceptions are discussed, such as the belief that surrogacy contracts secure parenthood or that payment guarantees outcomes, and how informal arrangements can also pose significant risks, including unintended legal parenthood and liability for child maintenance. The podcast also highlights how current legislation struggles to reflect modern family structures, with same-sex couples, unmarried couples and transgender parents facing potential additional legal hurdles. Alongside the parental perspective, the speakers also emphasise the long-term importance of openness, planning, and safeguarding the child’s welfare not just at birth, but throughout their life. /

  3. Mar 30

    A look at recent updates in Financial Remedies

    Parklane Plowden barristers Giorgia Sessi and Farzana Tai talk through a range of recent cases of financial remedies and the updates worth being aware of. As financial remedy cases are reported fairly frequently, the pair discuss a number of topics which have been of interest in the recent weeks. This includes Standish v Standish, which was a landmark ruling from the Supreme Court as it was the first judgment in almost 20 years to consider the concept of sharing and matrimonialisation. Giorgia and Farzana also explore the changes to practice direction 27A, and knowing the requirements of e-bundles. This includes points such as the bundles being searchable, subject to optical character resolution and electronically optimised, as well as who is responsible for the bundle. Conduct as a factor in financial remedy cases is also discussed, such as what happens in instances where conduct is a central issue and how the determination of fairness can be measured based on the circumstances presented. Listen to the latest episodes of the Parklane Plowden Podcast, featuring conversations with barristers and guest speakers on topics from across Chambers’ practice areas and expertise.

  4. 09/30/2025

    Fire & Rehire: Dismissal and re-engagement under the Employment Rights Bill

    Parklane Plowden barristers and joint heads of the employment team Andrew Sugarman and Dominic Bayne discuss the latest development to the Employment Rights Bill, including fire and rehire. The Bill was proposed shortly after the Labour government came into power in the summer of 2024 having outlined the plans in its manifesto to promise significant reforms across a broad range of employment practices. At the time of recording, the Bill is yet to reach Royal Assent as it progresses through Parliament, with the House of Commons having recently rejected the latest amendments proposed by the Lords at the report stage. Areas of reform within the Bill, which, if passed into legislation, will represent significant adjustments for employment practitioners, include day-one dismissal rights, third-party harassment and flexible working legislation. Amongst the proposed reforms which Andrew and Dominic discuss is changes in the legal provisions for fire and rehire, which represents an area where little has been left to secondary legislation. Currently viewed as a last resort amongst employers, the two look at the current practices of imposing contractual changes on a workforce and the new statutory code of practice which has been in force since July 2024. Andrew and Dominic look at the build up to the proposals and the current status of the amendments in specific contractual variations such as pay, pension, working hours and leave entitlements as well as the importance of statutory language. /

  5. 08/21/2025

    A closer look at burial disputes

    PLP probate, inheritance, trusts and tax barristers Marisa Lloyd, Nicola Phillipson and Cait Sweeney look at burial disputes, which a relatively rare but often highly emotive and complex proceedings. What can make these proceedings complicated is how there is no law to ensure a person’s own wishes for the disposal of their remains are carried out, frequently leading to burial disputes. Legal practitioners are going to be discussing this issue over the next few years, and in late 2025 the Law Commission will start work on the rights and obligations relating to funerals and remains. Marisa, Nicola and Cait look at cases such as Patel v Patel and the circumstances which outline who has the rights of possession of a body and a duty to make disposal and funeral arrangements, as well as costs orders. The three also examine the current areas of jurisdiction which apply in burial disputes, including Section 116 of the Senior Courts Act 1981 and the Court’s inherent jurisdiction for deciding disposal arrangements. This was seen in the case of Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council v Makin. /

  6. 07/29/2025

    Triathlon: Remediation Contribution Orders under the Building Safety Act 2022 – Part Two Review

    PLP chancery, commercial and property barristers Bryan Patterson-Whitaker and Dominic Crossley discuss the latest developments in the legal framework shaping the built environment. Following on from their previous podcast exploring remediation contribution orders (RCOs) under the Building Safety Act 2022, Bryan and Dominic look at the recent Court of Appeal case Triathlon Homes LLP v Stratford Village Development Partnership [2025] EWCA Civ [2025] EWCA Civ 846. This was a dispute which concerned five residential towers at East Village, Stratford in East London in which building safety defects were uncovered and required significant remediation costs. An RCO under the Building Safety Act was granted by the First-tier Tribunal against the site’s original developer who lodged a leapfrog appeal with the Court of Appeal. Bryan and Dominic explore the recent Court of Appeal ruling in this case. This includes whether it was just and equitable for the First-tier Tribunal to have made an RCO and whether the legislation applied retrospectively before the provisions of the Building Safety Act came into force. Based on these grounds and a number of different sub grounds, the pair examine the key aspects of the ruling and the basis behind the Court of Appeal’s decision to uphold the RCO given by the First-tier Tribunal. Bryan and Dominic also consider what the consequences are from this ruling for different parties impacted by section 124 of the Building Safety Act.

  7. 05/14/2025

    Remediation contribution orders under the Building Safety Act 2022 – Part One

    PLP property, chancery and commercial barristers Bryan Patterson-Whitaker and Dominic Crossley discuss the Building Safety Act 2022, which is one of the most significant pieces of recent legislation impacting the property sector. Bryan and Dominic focus on remediation contribution orders (RCOs) and their operation under Section 124, alongside the potential implications of decisions around the Triathlon Homes appeal. Discussions cover the background to RCOs under the Building Safety Act, which parties they are relevant to and who can apply alongside what defects are covered. They also examine how the Triathlon Homes proceedings demonstrates the approach first-tier tribunals are taking to interpret the provisions laid out in the Building Safety Act and factors influencing the first ruling and subsequent appeal hearing. /

  8. 04/04/2025

    Analysing the changes and practical considerations of the Private Law Pathfinder Process

    Parklane Plowden family barristers Maxine Best, Katherine Goss and Deborah Shield talk through the changes coming with the new Private Law Pathfinder Process which is due to arrive in West Yorkshire in June 2025. Its aim is improving the experiences of children and parents as cases progress through the family court system by facilitating greater levels of information sharing. This includes between different agencies such as the police, local authorities and the courts supported by case progression officers who form a key part in the new process. The three look at the programme’s background and discuss the new model’s implementation and timelines, including information gathering, decision-making and the review process as well as considerations around Child Impact Reports. The podcast also examines the key differences of the new Pathfinder Process compared to the current Child Arrangements Programme (CAP) model in family courts and practical considerations practitioners need to consider. /

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About

Listen to the latest episodes of the Parklane Plowden Podcast, featuring conversations with barristers and guest speakers on topics from across Chambers’ practice areas and expertise.

Information

  • Creator
    Parklane Plowden
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Parklane Plowden
  • Show Website
    Parklane Plowden Podcast