Hadkinson versus unless orders (Ahmad v Faraj)
Family analysis: The court was concerned with the failure of one party, the husband, to comply with a legal services payment order (LSPO) made in favour of another party, the wife, in order to fund her representation on appeals made by the husband and the second respondent (IBB). The husband and IBB appealed a first instance decision in a financial relief matter and the wife secured a LSPO against the husband for representation during the appeal proceedings. The husband did not comply with that order and the wife applied for an unless order or Hadkinson order to be made to enforce the LSPO. The court declined to make an unless order as it was disproportionate to immediately dismiss the husband’s claim. The court did make a Hadkinson order (per Hadkinson v Hadkinson), which was considered more proportionate and the conditions in de Gaffori v de Gaffori for making such an order were satisfied. Anastasia Gilfillan, barrister, and Emily Lennon, pupil, at 1 Hare Court, consider the decision.