Cohabitation law: Government rejects calls for reform
The government has rejected almost all proposals for cohabitation law reform put forward in the Women and Equalities Committee’s recent report. The report highlighted the lack of legal protection afforded to cohabiting couples, with Resolution describing their position as one of “legal limbo”. Key recommendations included an opt-out cohabitation scheme, adoption of a framework concerning […]
Divorces figures soared 10% during 2021, ONS data reveals
New figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have revealed a striking 9.6% rise in divorces between 2020 and 2021. Specifically, there were 103,592 divorces granted in England and Wales in 2020, rising to 113,505 in 2021. The ONS did, however, reinforce that the number of divorces may have been raised in 2021 […]
Consultation opens on Interim Supervision Order Report
The Public Law Working Group (PLWG) has released the Interim Supervision Order Report for consultation from 1st-30th November. The PLWG is consulting on proposals to law, policy, and practice in relation to supervision orders made at the conclusion of care proceedings to support the child to live with a parent(s). Their consultation invites responses from […]
Reports of AML breaches down 8%, SRA data shows
The number of reports received by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) regarding potential breaches of money laundering regulations fell by 8% from 273 to 252 between the 2021/22 financial year and the year prior, new data has revealed. The data is contained within the SRA’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) annual report 2021-22. With regards to the […]
LeO confirms when changes to Scheme Rules will come into effect
The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) has confirmed that changes to its Scheme Rules, which will aim to make it harder for clients to complain about legal services, will come into effect on 1st April 2023. One key change outlined in the new Scheme Rules is the time limit for referring a complaint to the Legal Ombudsman, […]
HMCTS states digital portal for financial remedy services “could become compulsory by New Year”
Family Lawyers have been told they may be required to submit financial remedy applications through HM Courts and Tribunals Service’s (HMCTS) digital portal in the New Year. Isabel Syred, HMCTS manager, said this week during a webinar on financial remedy applications that the portal, which will be accessible next month, will allow practitioners to make […]
Financial remedies: A battle royale
Where jurisdiction is in dispute, this does not prevent the court from making an interim order, but in MG v GM Peel J accepted that the court should be cautious, both as to whether to make an order and as to quantum, in circumstances where the order may turn out to be based on a false […]
“Letting sunlight into the Family Court”: Gallagher and transparency in financial remedy proceedings
Financial remedy practitioners will be aware of the recent and ongoing developments that have been taking place on the transparency front. In recent financial remedy proceedings decisions, Mostyn J has challenged the assumption that judgments in financial remedy cases should be routinely anonymised. Stephanie Coker examines a further Mostyn J decision, namely Gallagher v Gallagher (No.1) […]
What can be done when parents disagree about the choice of their child’s school?
Many parents will be faced with the task of choosing a school for their child as the applications for new school places open in the autumn. However, what happens when parents don’t agree on the choice of school? Disagreements over the choice of school can arise over fundamental issues such as whether a child should […]
