Class action against matrimonial and family law

- an overview

The Cheltenham Group is currently investigating the possibility of facilitating a class action from men who have been persecuted under matrimonial and family law. A class action would involve a large number of men applying together as a group, probably but not necessarily, under international human rights laws.

It is interesting to note that other groups world-wide have already started the process of organising such actions. These other groups have websites (off-site links) on their activities :

1. Fathers for Family Equity : look under 'action' then 'class action'.

2. We The People of USA, is a single-objective organisation based in New Jersey, with 250,000 people already registered : their website is entirely devoted to the facilitation of the class action.

A group in the USA is lauching a legal challenge under the issue of slavery of men with regard to child maintenance, and we will await the outcome with interest. And others are taking action under the US constitution.

CG believes that the time is right for UK men, with the support of their family, their friends, and others concerned, to investigate the possibilities for a similar class action, or perhaps a few separate class actions, from the UK.

We outline our initial ideas in our Class Action - Discussion Paper.

We already have expertise and guidance about international human rights laws. Some suggestions on the basis of the class action are available. Do you fit one of these Class Action - Possibilities ?

Legal action under these international human rights law can can achieve two major effects :

• to radically change UK law, in order to give men a fair deal in the family, and to ensure that men are no longer marginalised within the family

• to provide compensation for all those men whose lives have been damaged by present laws and practices.

At this time, we are asking for expressions of interest, both from men's and father's groups, with :

• comments and suggestions on these ideas;

• expressions of interest from individuals who may wish to take part in an action.

Please note that we are not asking for any commitment from individuals at this time. See our Discussion Paper for likely commitments later.

When we have obtained sufficient interest, we shall firm up our plans, publicise them, and will probably ask you for a contribution in money to implement those plans.

There are about 2-3 million men in the UK adversely affected during the last 20-30 years, and a modest contribution from just one tenth of these men, of perhaps £20, will provide funds for a legal battle against those responsible, that the authorities and the UK Government has never seen before.

We ask you, for the sake of your children and yourselves, to support us in this.