McFarlane calls for increased transparency in family justice system
Following a transparency review in family proceedings conducted last October, president of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane, has told MPs that greater transparency is needed to instil public confidence. Addressing MPs McFarlane said that although greater transparency is needed, it will be “difficult” saying that striking the balance between allowing openness and maintaining anonymity […]
“Family Mediation Week” 17th-21st January
The Family Mediation Council (FMC)’s “Family Mediation Week”, will take place between 17th and 21st January 2022, to raise awareness of the benefits of family mediation and how it can help separating families manage their issues productively and collaboratively. Organised by the FMC with support from Resolution, Family Mediation Week aims to: “let more people know […]
Busy “Divorce Day” expected for family lawyers
Today is the first working Monday of January, also known as “divorce day” amongst family lawyers, and one of the busiest times for firms across the country as they prepare for a surge of enquiries following the festive period. This year is expected to be much busier however, as lawyers expect an increase in separating […]
Law firm merger under “house of brands” strategy
A 150-year-old Sussex based firm, Mayo Wynne Baxter (MWB), is the first to join legal and professional services group Ampa under a “house of brands” merger strategy devised to move away from the traditional consolidation merger model. Now labelled as a regional legal anchor brand for the south east, the firm, which offers a range […]
Updates to litigation friend forms
The government has issued updates to its forms for litigation friend referral and appointing a litigation friend where the protected party lacks capacity. Update to litigation friend referral form for Children Act public law cases This form should be used to provide additional information and documents in cases when it is thought that a parent […]
Mishcon de Reya fined for AML failures
London law firm Mishcon de Reya will pay £232,500 over several breaches relating to money laundering rules, it has been announced. The penalty of £232,500 was agreed between the firm and the SRA who said that the fine should equate to 0.25% of the firm’s £155m turnover, minus reductions of 40% for mitigating factors. The […]
