Commonalities in Divorce

In the eight years I have been writing about divorce, it amazes me how similar the stories are. Names, faces, and specifics change, but I see commonalities in most every situation.

“I finally filed for divorce myself.”

“I didn’t realize he was using pornography so heavily.”

“I really think he (she) must have some type of mental illness.”

“He (she) is blaming me for the divorce even though he (she) was the one having an affair.”

“It is so hard to forgive when he (she) is constantly pushing my buttons!”

I have been leading a support group via Zoom for six months. Our very first meeting, these were all statements that were made by multiple individuals within the group. They also reflect my own story.

I know as Christians, we must protect the sanctity of marriage. However, as I have said before, most Christians are not divorcing because they are squabbling over money or other minor issues. Most Christians divorce only after major problems caused by one spouse’s abusive, addictive, adulterous behavior. I hear the stories every day, and these threads seem to run through most every story.

Refusing to file for divorce. My husband left our marriage long before we divorced. His affair (and refusal to repent) ended our marriage, but we continued to live under the same roof. I fought long and hard to save our marriage, but I finally realized I couldn’t save it alone.

I finally made the decision that I could not live in the dysfunctional environment. I finally decided I could not tolerate the abuse of ongoing adultery. I finally decided I needed to be brave enough, strong enough, to stand up to the abuse.

So I filed for divorce.

And do you know what happened? He used that to blame the divorce on me. After all, I was the one who filed. I was the one who kicked him out. He could somehow ignore the three years of ongoing adultery and make it my fault because I was strong enough to stand up to the abuse.

It happens all the time. The abuser makes life a living hell, but refuses to end the marriage. Eventually, the victimized spouse decides it is time to legally acknowledge what has already taken place in the marriage. And, the abuser uses that to draw sympathy from others.

Which leads to another common theme in divorce…

Playing the victim.  As I said before, my ex-husband used my actions to blame the divorce on me. Multiple people have told me the stories of how I just woke up one morning and didn’t love him anymore and wanted to marry someone else. Somehow, the years of his adultery and ongoing abuse are glossed over. It was all my fault.

Some of the stories I have heard; others, I just have to imagine. I am absolutely certain I was controlling with finances…even though I begged him for 17 years to join me in budgeting. I know I treated him like another child…even though he refused to help with any adult activities around the house.

Over the years—and especially after the divorce—I was the cause of all problems, the cause of our divorce. And I hear it repeatedly. There is a sickening epidemic of victim mentality, of refusing to acknowledge shortcomings. When it comes to divorce, it is yet another common theme.

Pornography addictions. I always knew pornography was in our home, but I had no idea how pervasive it was. When the internet first entered our home, I happened upon some unsavory websites in our browser history. He would promise not to look again. We would use a filtering browser. We would do everything in our power to keep the filth out.

And yet, he would find ways around it.

Multiple computers were destroyed by malware because of websites he looked at. Yet, I had no idea how pervasive it was in our lives until after our divorce when I began to dive into the truth about pornography. As I reflect on our marriage, I see the many ways pornography affected our lives. Most importantly, I see that I was an object to be used for his gratification—not the treasured gift a wife is supposed to be. I was never treated as an equal but instead simply used to benefit him. When you read about the effects of pornography on the brain, our relationship epitomizes a pornography addiction.

Sadly, pornography is rampant in our culture. It is available with a few clicks. It is in our pockets 24 hours each day. If the desire is there, it becomes an addiction that requires ongoing treatment. It is only the power of the Holy Spirit that can remove the desire and the long-lasting effects of pornography.

Mental illness. I know that narcissism has become the in-term of our culture, and I struggle with labeling people. I am convinced, however, that we have an epidemic of mental instability in our culture.

I use the term “mental illness” somewhat loosely. The truth is that many people are struggling with unresolved issues from childhood, issues that lead them down a path of depression, anxiety, or just looking for something—anything—to soothe the pain they feel inside.

God is the only Healer, and anything else we use to heal our pain results in emptiness. And that’s where the mental illness (as I am using the term) comes in. It is an instability of the mind, an inability to effectively cope with life and the stress that comes with it. It can be characterized by fear that prevents us from surrendering to the Savior. It can be a feeling of hopelessness that causes us to lose our desire to live. It can be a lack of the perfect peace that the Father promises to those who hope in Him (Isaiah 26:3).

I truly believe mental instability is a factor in many, many divorces.

Ongoing insults and injuries. Sadly, most divorces do not end the bickering and fighting. The mud-slinging, blaming, using the kids as weapons, false accusations, etc. continue. I have seen the courts used as weapons to try to vilify one spouse. I have experienced child welfare investigations because of false accusations. I have seen attempts to take the kids away to avoid paying child support. The list just goes on and on.

And this is one of the reasons it is so incredibly hard to forgive. You have lived with this person. He/she probably know you better than anyone else. He/she know how to push your buttons and make you angry—and he/she never hesitates to try.

These attempts to manipulate the situation could be financial. They could be attempts to win the hearts and sympathy of others (including the kids). They could be simply to punish you. Whatever the reason, they continue long after the divorce papers are signed.

I truly wish everyone could grow up and put aside differences for the sake of the children and the good of one another. Unfortunately, the inability to do so is often a factor in many divorces. How can we expect someone to suddenly become others-centered, to instantly gain mental stability?

Yet another common problem with divorce…

I hope if you see yourself in any of this issues you realize you are not alone—it’s not just you dealing with the immaturity. Please know that if you need a listening ear, I am here. I offer support groups. I offer individual coaching. I offer email support. Sometimes it helps just to know you aren’t alone.

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Top Five Tips To Protect Privilege In A Data Breach – Litigation, Mediation & Arbitration – Cana…

Canada:

Top Five Tips To Protect Privilege In A Data Breach

25 October 2020

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

To print this article, all you need is to be registered or login on Mondaq.com.

When your organization is addressing a cyber-attack or other
data breach, protecting privilege is crucial. In the aftermath of a
data breach, events can move very quickly. However, appropriate
steps should be taken to ensure that the privileged and
confidential documents generated in your breach investigation and
response stay that way. Shortcuts taken for expediency’s sake
can lead to problems later, particularly in the event of
litigation. Protecting privilege is important to preserve the
confidentiality of your discussions with counsel and other
documents generated in your breach response, to guard against the
risk of such materials being producible in future litigation.

Here are our top five tips for protecting privilege in the
context of a data breach:

1. Avoid using your
   organization’s computer systems if they are
   compromised. If there is reason to believe that your
   organization’s internet technology (IT) infrastructure remains
   compromised, you should not use it to communicate (internally or
   externally) about the breach. Otherwise, any privileged
   communications could be intercepted by the threat actor,
   exacerbating the data breach. Instead, consider using phone calls
   or a secure and uncompromised external email address to communicate
   regarding the breach response.

   
   

2. Engage legal counsel as soon
   as possible. A data breach should be treated as a legal
   incident for the organization, with counsel involved from the
   outset of the response. Internal counsel should be notified right
   away of a breach. In the case of a significant breach, it also may
   be prudent to retain outside litigation counsel immediately. This
   can help bolster claims for solicitor-client privilege because it
   underscores the legal, as opposed to business-related, nature of
   the advice being given. It also emphasizes the litigation-oriented
   objectives of any forensic expert reports into the data breach,
   bolstering a claim for litigation privilege. Solicitor-client and
   litigation privileges can apply with respect to in-house counsel,
   but only when in-house counsel is providing legal rather than
   business advice. Because in-house counsel often provide both kinds
   of advice in the aftermath of a data breach, privilege claims
   involving internal counsel may be more closely scrutinized by the
   courts in the event of a dispute.

   
   

3. Structure retainers with
   third-party consultants with privilege in mind.
   Communications with and documents generated by an external forensic
   expert hired to investigate the data breach can be privileged,
   provided that the retainer is structured appropriately. For
   example:
   

   • Where possible, external counsel and the organization should
     retain the third party jointly

   
   

   • Even if the organization has an ongoing relationship with the
     consultant, a separate retainer or statement of work should be
     entered into with respect to the breach to distinguish the
     privileged work from any other non-privileged work

   
   

   • The terms of the third-party retainer should reflect the legal
     nature of the advice given and that all communications and
     documents relating to the engagement should be marked and treated
     as privileged by all involved

   
   

   • The third-party adviser should take instructions from, and
     report to, counsel (and ideally external counsel

   
   

   • Payment to the third-party adviser should be recorded and
     treated as a legal expense (for example, paid out of the
     organization’s legal budget)

   
   

4. Control dissemination of
   privileged material in your organization. Privileged
   communications should not be copied or disseminated more widely
   within your organization than is necessary. It will usually also be
   prudent for internal or external counsel to be copied on
   communications regarding the breach, although doing so does not
   automatically cloak those communications with privilege. All
   communications and any notes or other documents regarding the
   breach or reflecting privileged advice should be marked as
   “privileged and confidential.”

   
   

5. Beware of divulging
   privileged material externally. Some regulators may have
   authority to compel your organization to produce privileged
   documents, such as a forensic investigator’s report. When
   responding to these demands, it should be stated expressly that
   your organization does not intend to waive privilege through such
   disclosure. Voluntary disclosure of potentially privileged
   information to law enforcement should be approached with caution.
   The organization should also avoid inadvertent disclosure of
   privileged information, such as in pleadings and other legal
   filings, which may imply waiver of privilege. If disclosure of any
   privileged information is truly necessary, the disclosure should be
   as narrow as possible, and it should expressly be stated that no
   waiver of privilege is intended.

For permission to reprint articles, please contact the
Blakes Marketing Department.

© 2020 Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general
guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought
about your specific circumstances.

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How Divorce and Breakups Can Be Steps in Healing Our Pasts

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Amy has been married for six years and it’s been great. Matt, her new partner, is laid back and gentle, in contrast to her first husband Ben who was all too controlling, micromanaging, and sometimes even abusive, much like her own mother. This relationship has allowed her to learn to relax, to let down her guard, and lean into Matt. And because she is not walking on eggshells all the time, she has become more outspoken. Compared to where she was, say ten years ago, she now feels more grounded and more herself.

What Amy’s story illustrates is the way we all can no only heal the wounds of our past relationships through new ones but heal deeper childhood wounds as well. But unfortunately, the path isn’t always easy, it requires some work on our part, and comes with particular challenges. Here’s are some of the common steps on the path towards healing:

We leave our childhood 

Some of us are lucky, we leave our childhoods with positive experiences, little damage, and we set out to recreate those experiences in our adult lives. But for many more of us, we leave with wounds – physical, emotional. We walk away with not only bad memories or emotional triggers, but something else, a particular view of ourselves, others, and the bigger world – a distrust of others, a belief that we always need to prepare for the worst, a blaming of ourselves, an understandable need to avoid what we most hated or feared. The bottom line is that we cannot not leave our childhoods with some moral of the story that we decide we need to change or keep.

We are drawn to what is less bad

And so, we venture forth with this childhood perspective in place. Amy is drawn to her first husband not because he is controlling, but because he is less controlling than her mother was, or that he apologizes, something her mother could never do, or because he has other qualities like a sense of humor or is a hard worker that her mother never had or was. Similarly, if we had a physically abusive father, our new partner may have an explosive temper but unlike our father, he never gets physical. What we are drawn to is always in contrast to what came before, to what seems less bad.

We try to make it different

These small differences give us hope that this relationship can be different and we apply the best of our old childhood coping skills to make it happen. Sometimes it works. Amy continues to walk on eggshells, she accommodates Ben the way she did her mother as a child, and by and large, it works, it’s okay, it’s a good-enough life. 

Or it doesn’t work – Amy walks on eggshells but over time Ben’s control seems tighter, his anger flares up more often. Instead of having a better version of her childhood, she, more often than not, begins to feel like she did when she was a child. The healing that she needs isn’t coming.  

We reach a bottom line and need to reboot

We’re doing the right stuff and it isn’t working. We get fed up and angry or feel depressed, frustrated, or hopeless. This is where we talk about separation or divorce, where we break up, where we are vulnerable to affairs or collapse into ourselves with withdrawal or addiction. 

The underlying problem is the underlying problem. Time to reboot the relationship – hence the separation and need to get to space, break up, slip into the affairs that pull us in because they tell us what we’ve been missing, and what we once again need to find to heal.

We redo

Amy and Ben get into couple therapy to break the dysfunctional patterns and it works – Ben understands how his control and anger trigger Amy and he works hard at changing it. But he also talks about what he really needs, his wounds, and how Amy’s accommodation instead of helping him only leaves him feeling like he is living without an equal partner. 

Or they try therapy, but can’t break the dynamic of arguing over whose reality is right, who’s to blame. Or they skip all that and get divorced.

We look for that better version

Again, we bounce out of what came before. Amy finds Matt and he is not one-step up from Ben, but several, and her finding and staying with him is not just luck but a sign of how she has already begun to change. His laid-back style is comforting, and over time, with many tentative steps, Amy finds that she can let down her guard, stop that walking on eggshells. And with that in place, she begins to do now what she couldn’t do with her mother, with Ben – begins to take the risk of speaking up, finding that she doesn’t collapse when he seems to be in a bad mood. 

Amy begins to heal. 

But the real moral of the story

The danger here is one we all know, what we see in our family members, our closest friends. They don’t move through these stages, but instead continue to repeat the same patterns in different forms – the abuse or anger or disappointment are still there but slightly different, slightly watered down; our old coping styles are still not quite working but, we tell ourselves, it’s not really so bad. It’s good enough, there are the kids to worry about, we say to ourselves that probably this is good as it can get. We settle.

The key is learning that the moral of the story – the take-away of our past relationships – is to not settle, not simply replicate those patterns in minor ways but instead acknowledge these larger patterns and have the courage to change them.

We need to see what our lives are telling us we need to learn. We need to believe that our lives and our relationships can move us towards healing.

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A gray divorce may improve your health, but there are many factors to consider – PhillyVoice.com

Relationships. They are the fuel that powers a man’s health and happiness. Studies have documented their benefits. Purpose, drive and positive behaviors all flow from their psychosocial dimensions.

Consequently, relationships have been a recurring theme in my discussion of 50-plus men’s health — how to foster them, strategies to expand them and techniques to maximize their value. With such a central role in a man’s pursuit of a healthy lifestyle, it is astonishing to see a trend among older adults moving in the opposite direction. 

A phenomenon that runs counterintuitive to all the positivity I just recited, but examined more closely, may be a graphic example of the desire for happiness at any age. Either way, so-called gray divorce is very much a major factor in the contemporary culture of mature adults.

According to The Pew Foundation, at a time when divorce is becoming less common for younger adults, gray divorce, is on the rise. Among U.S. adults ages 50 and older, the divorce rate has roughly doubled since the 1990s. For those 65 and older, the divorce rate has tripled during the same period. 

Pew attributes the climbing rates, in part, to the aging baby boomers who have become unsatisfied and seek to pursue their own interests and independence for the remaining years of their lives.   

A big factor behind this trend is longevity, says sociologist Pepper Schwartz. She notes that half a century ago, an unhappy couple in their mid-60s might have stayed together because they thought it wasn’t worth divorcing if they had only a few years left to live. 

Now, 65-year-olds can easily envision at least 20 more active years — and they don’t want them to be loveless, or full of frustration or disappointment. Schwartz says boomers gave up on the concept of the dutiful-but-unhappy spouse a long time ago.

Positive relationships have benefits, but it is important to recognize that poor or stressful relationships, carry a downside. The National Center for Biotechnology cites sociological research showing that marital strain erodes physical health, and that the negative effect of marital strain on health becomes greater with advancing age. 

NCBI reports that stress contributes to psychological distress and physiological reactions such as increased heart rate and blood pressure that can damage health through cumulative wear and tear on physiological systems. This can lead to unhealthy coping behaviors such as food consumption, heavy drinking and smoking.

Men need companionship

In another report that presents the outcomes of gray divorce and some interesting gender differences, the NCBI indicates that roughly one-third of baby boomers are currently unmarried. Among adults 65 and older, a majority is unmarried. 

That said, NCBI reports that more than 25% of older single men were in a dating relationship, compared with less than 10% of single older women. They attribute this to older men enjoying a larger pool of potential dating partners than women, reflecting gender differences in life expectancy and norms prescribing that men should date younger women. The researchers found that men tend to be more interested than women in formalizing these relationships through marriage.

So, what does this all mean? Does the trend of gray divorce represent a stamp of approval for those over 50 who are contemplating a split from their partner? The numbers certainly offer a sense of comfort that others are acting on their feelings. Or, is this just the last hurrah of a bunch of self-centered boomers who can’t commit to the sacrifice required in a relationship? 

Clearly, each situation is different, but here are some tips for both those evaluating their relationship and men who have made the decision to move on.

Assessing your relationship

Dr. Anthony Rostain, my colleague at Cooper University Health Care and the chairman of the department of psychiatry, offers the following thoughts for those assessing their relationships.

• Investment: Marriage (think relationships of some duration) needs to change as people age. Successful relationships require an investment. Have you made an investment?

• Discontent: Identifying the sources of discontent is critical in determining your ability to salvage the relationship. Have you pinpointed these factors and tried to address them with your partner?

• New Experiences: Have you tried new experiences that have the potential to rekindle the flames that originally brought you together?

Building a New Life

For those 50-plus men who have decided to move on, experts offer this advice on some of the most important factors men need to keep in mind.

• Consider the kids: Just because your kids may be grown and living outside the house doesn’t mean they are not affected. The Good Man Project says that it is often the older children who have a more difficult time compared to their younger siblings. In their eyes, it may all just be “too weird.” Talk to your children and consider their feelings.

• Finances: According to the American Academy of Actuaries, a mid- to later-life split can shatter retirement plans. There’s less time to recoup losses, pay off debt, and weather stock market gyrations. Also, you may be approaching the end of your peak earning years, so there’s less of a chance of making up financial shortfalls with a steady salary.

• Dating: AARP cites a 2009 U.S. statistical report that shows when it comes to finding a new 50-plus relationship, women increasingly outnumber men. For every 1,000 births, by age 50, women outnumber men 954 to 920. At 65, it’s 871 to 791. So, the odds are in men’s favor — and women know it. 

Women take the lead

Among individuals of all ages, legal experts indicate that women initiate 70% of the divorces, so men are often on the receiving end of the divorce decision. Regardless, it is never an easy process and takes on particular significance as we mature. Still, the data show it’s a choice that adults are making in record numbers.

My journey to gray divorce began with an interest in health behaviors of men over 50. From that perspective, if a divorce frees a man from stress and unhappiness, then it is probably good for his health. If divorce creates a gap in the companionship that motivates positive behaviors or triggers unhealthy practices, then it could negatively impact a man’s health. 

All in, with such a strong link between health and happiness, the impact of a divorce on your ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle is certainly worth due consideration.

---

Louis Bezich, senior vice president of strategic alliances at Cooper University Health Care, is author of “Crack The Code: 10 Proven Secrets that Motivate Healthy Behavior and Inspire Fulfillment in Men Over 50.” Read more from Louis on his website.  

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Westminster City Council scraps plans to charge for pavement space

Westminster City Council has scrapped plans to charge hospitality firms thousands of pounds to keep trading outside through the coming months.

Earlier today City A.M. revealed that the Council was set to charge businesses £7 per square metre of outside space, per day, once the existing ‘al fresco’ scheme comes to an end on October 31. 

Read more: New: Mayor calls on Westminster to reconsider pavement charging plan

The plans were met with uproar from restaurants and bars, which have already been hammered by the enhanced coronavirus restrictions forced on the capital.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan condemned the plans, telling City A.M. that the “excessive charges” were “short-sighted and counter-productive”.

He urged the council to axe the scheme in order to “keep the centre of London vibrant and open throughout this challenging time.”

The Council u-turned on the decision this evening. Council leader, Rachael Robathan said:  

“We recognise that restaurants are facing desperate times – that’s why we introduced the summer al fresco dining scheme and have extended it to the winter.

“In view of additional central government funding, announced on Thursday, we are able to cover costs of the winter scheme so that restaurants and bars can serve customers without any extra cost being charged by the council.”

Some businesses said that they could face a bill of between £50- to £100,000 a year under the plans. Anxious owners labelled the scheme a “kick in the guts”.

Before the Open newsletter: Start your day with the City View podcast and key market data

The fees were revealed in a document called “Supporting Westminster’s hospitality sector during the winter”, a copy of which City A.M. has seen. 

Westminster Council, which covers Soho and much of the surrounding area, allowed ‘al fresco’ seating over the summer, with some streets closed to allow small restaurants to flow out into the streets.

Bars and restaurants in the pedestrianised areas were asked to contribute to security costs, which come to an end on 31 October.

Read more: Square Mile to relax al fresco dining rules in bid to save bars and restaurants

The Council – who issued the new guidance on October 20 – acknowledge in the document that “there may be… a period of time between the ending of the temporary al fresco summer dining schemes at the end of October and installation of new ‘winter appropriate’ ones,” leaving businesses in limbo.

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Unknown Ways To Rebuild Life After Divorce

The first question people stuck with when they heard about divorce “is there a life after divorce”. Though no one wants to experience it, a divorced person only left with this as its last option. In this modern era with several matrimonial sites, widower remarriage is easy to carry out.

Now if you are a sufferer, you thought the relationship that would last has ended. You are battling with questions like “What next?” “Is there a life after divorce?” “How do I start a new life after divorce?”.

We are bringing a post to help you with some ways you can rebuild life after divorce.

Grieve yourself: Divorce is a very that you take in your life for both males and females even if you want it. Somewhere it hits you very hard emotionally. To rebuild your life after divorce can be a bit harder for you. You feel like a lost person like you don’t want to do anything just want to lie on the bed the whole day. Let yourself go and do whatever you want to do.

Diary writing: Some of the people find it very boring and a waste of time but many studies have proved that writing about your pain, struggles, and pain will help you in healing yourself. So, hold a pen in your one hand and a diary in your other hand, then start jotting down all your feelings and pain in that diary. 

Be with your close friends: Life after divorce disturbs the person and makes people doing so many crazy or wrong things like drinking alcohol all day, constantly dialling the phone number of your ex, posting stupid things on social media, and harassing girls. So it is advised to stay connected with your close friends in order to avoid these kinds of mistakes.

Professional advice: You always need someone to lean on and this is very much needed after the divorce because divorce totally changes your life and routine. You need someone who can help you in sorting your life after divorce it better to take professional advice at the beginning of new Punjabi matrimony.

Find yourself: It is only you and you after divorce that ‘WE’ doesn’t exist anymore. It’s time to work on yourself and recreate yourself. Make a list of your goals, do what excites you the most. Get motivation for yourself. Find what you are good at and what you always wanted to do in your life. Make an identity for yourself.

Make a new friend circle: Divorce not only changes your life but it also changes your social world. All your married friends with whom you used to spend lots of time will no longer be interested in talking to you and will avoid you as much as they can. This happens most of the time in the case of widower remarriage. It is the time that you must make new friends, especially the single ones with whom you can hang out and share your feelings.

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Dominic Levent Solicitors

Email: Enquiries@dominiclevent.com

Phone: 020 8347 6640

Url: https://www.dominiclevent.com

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PC renewals extended as solicitors report IT 'nightmare'

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has extended the time allowed for renewing practising certificates after solicitors described their ‘nightmare’ of navigating the new IT system.

Regulators today confirmed practising certificates can be renewed up to 20 November after what were described as ‘teething problems’ this year.

The number of firms and solicitors affected by problems is not yet clear. Matthew Davies, managing partner of Tottenham firm Wilson Solicitors, told the Gazette he had been trying for more than a week to renew before the deadline at the end of this month.

The biggest problem was that the application had been completed in draft but the SRA website reported an internal error every time Davies tries to log back in.

The system will not allow an application to be restarted and there is no work-around suggested and no alternative form that applicants can complete.

Davies said he was mindful that the firm must renew certificates in order for its 50 staff to practise from the start of November.

‘I have spent hours trying to get the SRA to resolve it, I get the feeling there may be a bit of an IT meltdown going on,’ he said. ‘I am trying to run a business in a pandemic and the last thing I want on my mind is not having PCs renewed on time. I could really do without that.’

The new SRA system for authorisation went live in July as part of the regulator’s IT modernisation. Last month the SRA’s chief executive Paul Philip reported to the board that ‘inevitably with an ICT project of this size and complexity’ there had been glitches and teething problems. He conceded that despite efforts to manage these issues, it was fair to say that ‘operational standards have slipped’.

Philip reported that preparations for this month’s PC renewal period were ‘progressing well across both business and technical workstreams’, with development work and testing underway.

The SRA says it has been in touch with those affected by IT problems and provided one-to-one support for completing renewals.

A spokesperson added: ‘This year we are running the [PC renewal] exercise on a new IT system and with new telephony, which has been particularly challenging against the backdrop of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on us as well as on firms.

‘We know there have been some teething problems and a small number of firms have not been able to complete their online renewal – we are sorry for the inconvenience this has caused.’

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UK economy at risk of double-dip

UK economy at risk of double-dip after bouncing back strongly over the summer

By Hugo Duncan for the Daily Mail

Published: 22:01, 23 October 2020 | Updated: 12:18, 24 October 2020

Britain’s economy bounced back strongly over the summer but fears are mounting that the recovery is running out of steam.

Retail sales climbed by another 1.5 per cent in September – taking gains in the third quarter of the year to a record 17.4 per cent.

Sales are now 5.5 per cent higher than they were in February before the full force of the pandemic struck, according to the Office for National Statistics report.

Slow recovery: Retail sales climbed by another 1.5 per cent in September – taking gains in the third quarter of the year to a record 17.4 per cent

With household spending seemingly powering the recovery following the lockdown, the Ernst & Young Item Club estimated that the economy grew 16 per cent in the third quarter.

That follows a record contraction of almost 20 per cent in the second quarter. But it is feared that the recovery is faltering as fresh restrictions to prevent a second wave of the virus take their toll.

A separate report by IHS Markit showed the economy has lost momentum. Its purchasing managers’ index (PMI) – a key gauge of the private sector where scores above 50 show growth – fell from 56.5 in September to a four-month low of 52.9 this month.

Eurozone slams into reverse 

The eurozone economy has slammed into reverse as a second coronavirus wave sweeps the Continent.

IHS Markit said its closely-watched index of private sector activity fell from 50.4 in September to 49.4.

With scores below 50 representing decline, the report sparked fears of a double-dip recession. Renewed restrictions to control the pandemic, such as a 9pm curfew in nine French cities, are taking their toll.

Manufacturing benefited from strong global demand but services struggled to remain active as lockdowns force consumers to stay home.

By contrast China, more reliant on manufacturing and with the virus under control, recovery accelerated last quarter.

‘The pace of UK economic growth slowed in October to the weakest since the recovery from the national Covid-19 lockdown began,’ said IHS Markit economist Chris Williamson.

‘Not surprisingly, the weakening is most pronounced in the hospitality and transport sectors, as firms reported falling demand due to renewed lockdown measures and customers being deterred by worries over rising case numbers.’

Warning that the fourth quarter of the year has started on ‘a weakened footing’, he added: ‘The risk of a renewed downturn has risen.’

Paul Dales, chief UK economist at Capital Economics, said Britain was at risk of a double-dip recession.

He said the slowdown this month ‘comes before the full force of the latest Covid-19 restrictions are felt and supports our view that GDP will stagnate in the final three months of the year, if not contract again.’

He added: ‘The PMIs suggest you shouldn’t read too much into the decent rise in retail sales in September. 

‘Instead, the renewed downward trend in the PMIs provides a better sense of what’s happening to the overall economy. And it’s not looking good.’

The UK economy contracted by 2.5 per cent in the first quarter of the year and by a record 19.8 per cent in the second quarter as the closure of businesses wreaked havoc. 

While the economy bounced back over the summer, it is feared that strict restrictions will derail the recovery.

Sam Miley, an economist at the Centre for Economics and Business Research, said: ‘Some fragility is likely to arise in the coming months. 

‘This stems from the increasingly widespread reimplementation of restriction measures across the country, with this set to impact consumer behaviour.’

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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s Hollywood custody battle for their children

Set to be one of the most expensive and drawn-out custody battles in Hollywood history, warring exes Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are pulling out all the stops in the hearing to decide access rights for five of their six children.

Brad, 56, is calling a massive 21 witnesses to support his case for a 50-50 split in the proceedings which got under way this week.

While Maleficent star Angelina, 45, is the “ultimate mama bear”, desperate to protect her kids, even from their dad, a source told The Sun.

The insider, who is close to both parties, said: “The kids have been shielded to a large extent, but they’re old enough to have a pretty strong sense of what’s going on and it breaks Brad’s heart to know they’ve been at the centre of this wretched battle for such a long time.

“Angelina is still the ultimate mama bear who insists she’ll walk through fire to protect them from anyone – even their own father – and she’s proud of the strength and maturity the kids have shown throughout this nightmare process.

“There’s been a hell of a lot of finger pointing and sniping from each of their respective camps for months now, ever since it became clear they weren’t going to be able to compromise face-to-face.

“Now the communication between Brad and Angie is virtually non-existent, and they’re both digging in harder than they’ve ever done before.”

The former couple, who met in 2004 when filming action comedy Mr & Mrs Smith, married in 2014.

They have spent months building their cases, costing a small fortune in legal bills. The latest stage of their long-running divorce saga began with a private hearing in an LA court.

The battle over Pax, 16, Zahara, 15, Shiloh, 14, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 12, kicked off behind closed doors on Monday, with the pair taking part via Zoom.

Brad is calling three times as many witnesses as his ex, who has named seven, including herself and Brad. A source said: “Brad and Angelina have been at a total impasse for longer than anyone can remember.

“They’ve hired the best attorneys money can buy and any previous hope of coming to a civilised compromise outside of court has well and truly dissolved now.

“It’s incredibly sad it has come to this. There’s unlikely to be an official ruling until right before Christmas and, of course, in the meantime it’s all hanging over the family’s heads like the darkest of clouds.

“Brad and Angelina spent many weeks, if not months, working with their legal teams to draw up lists of witnesses who’d help strengthen their respective arguments.

“In Brad’s case the list is longer because he feels he has to cite as many anecdotes as possible from credible characters who can vouch for his parenting skills, as well as the kids’ needs.

“And with Angelina currently having the bulk of time with the children, there’s a view that he’s got to convince the judge to change the current situation.

“He wants a straight 50 per cent of custody, with visitation dates and overnight stays set in stone.”

A decision is expected at the next court date on December 21, but it could be put back depending on how the case goes.

It has already been agreed that their eldest son, Maddox, 19, can decide for himself when he wants to see his dad.

Brad’s witnesses include Jillian Armenante, who co-starred with his estranged wife in 1999 film Girl, Interrupted, for which Angelina won an Oscar as Best Supporting Actress.

He will also be calling Dr Stan Katz, a psychologist who testified at Michael Jackson’s child molestation trial, trauma expert Bren Chasse, security company boss William Thiel, Dr Fred Luskin, an expert in “forgiveness therapy”, and Melissa Brymer, the director of terrorism and disaster programs at the UCLA-Duke National Center for Child Traumatic Stress.

She is said to be an expert in “how children deal with stress following disasters such as school shootings”.

His other witnesses include a neuropsychologist, divorce psychologist, clinical psychology professor, education specialist, domestic violence expert, two security guards, three personal assistants, a family friend and a woman believed to a former nanny to their children.

Brad and Angelina, who separated in 2016 after the actress filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences, are both calling on controversial American domestic violence expert Alyce LaViolette to testify.

In 2013, Alyce made headlines after clashing with the prosecutor in the high-profile trial of killer Jodi Arias, who butchered her ex-boyfriend.

Alyce had claimed the killer acted in self-defence because she had suffered domestic violence, which was angrily denied by the prosecutor, who she told to “take a time out”.

On Monday, Angelina tried to remove one of Brad’s witnesses, psychologist Dr Robin Deutsch, from proceedings, claiming she had failed to adhere to “legal, ethical and procedural requirements” but the bid was rejected.

In August Angelina also failed to remove the judge overseeing their hearing. She claimed Judge John W Ouderkirk, who came out of retirement to take the case, had not disclosed his prior relationships with Brad’s attorneys.

Brad is said to be adamant that he gets a cast-iron custody schedule so he can develop a regular routine with his kids and strengthen their relationships.

He is also opposed to Angelina’s rumoured plan to move the children abroad.

A source said: “Brad wanted so badly to work this out with Angelina, or so he says, but found her to be too inflexible.

“They butted heads over the kids’ schooling, with Angie insistent that home or overseas education was the way to go, while Brad insists they’re to be raised in LA, their rightful home, until they’re old enough to choose for themselves. So the court showdown was inevitable, unfortunately.”

Brad, who won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for last year’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, is currently dating German model Nicole Poturalski, 27, who has a seven-year-old son.

After their relationship was revealed in August, it transpired she was still married to his friend Roland Mary, a 68-year-old German restaurateur, who is said to be philosophical about his wife’s new romance.

But Nicole has come in for some cruel criticism from online trolls. On Thursday she hit back on Instagram, calling her detractors “just so rude and sad”.

In a video captioned, “Hey guys I have been wondering since forever why people leave hateful comments??”, she wrote in German that she isn’t “the kind of person to spread hate”.

She added: “I just don’t understand what goes on in the heads of such people. Why? What is your benefit? Just in general I want to understand the train of thoughts. Because I don’t get it. It’s just so rude and sad for those commenting.”

A source told The Sun Brad tries to keep his custody battle and new girlfriend separate.

An insider said: “Brad is incredibly guarded about his battle with Angelina and only opens up to his very closest family members and trusted LA friends and colleagues, some of whom have known him for 20 years or more.

“He doesn’t talk about Angelina when he’s on dates with Nicole, or any other woman he’s been with since the divorce. Brad has found other tools to process his resentments and stresses and he’s known to shut people down quickly if they bring up the topic of Angelina.

“He has been seeing Nicole for more than a year and despite all the talk of him going public on purpose, the truth is that this wasn’t supposed to get out. He likes her a lot but he has been seeing other women as well — he just does things privately.”

After the new lovers were pictured in the South of France, a source claimed: “Angie is furious and utterly stunned Brad could stoop this low.”

The bitter divorce and custody battle is also believed to have affected the children’s relationship with Brad’s parents Jane and William, who live in Missouri.

When Angelina was awarded temporary full custody in September 2016, Brad was allowed supervised visits only, making seeing extended family harder.

One insider claimed the kids have not seen their grandparents since 2016. Sources say a rift between Angelina and her mother-in-law began after Jane wrote a letter to her local newspaper against gay marriage.

It is alleged the pair now “refuse to speak and Angelina doesn’t want her children to visit her”.

This story originally appeared on The US Sun and is republished here with permission.

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