“Children cannot afford to wait”: Expert panel calls for urgent child safeguarding reform
The government is facing fresh calls to urgently reform and strengthen children’s social care following the publication of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel’s third annual report. While new data revealed there was a 21% reduction in serious incident notifications between 2020 and 2021, the need to protect vulnerable children is as urgent as ever. […]
Resolution releases Cohabitant Separation Agreement precedents
Resolution has announced that its Cohabitant Separation Agreements are now available online to aide practitioners in resolving cohabitation arrangements on relationship breakdown. A note on Resolution’s website following their publication said: “On separation [cohabitants] require a formal legal agreement making clear the terms of their separation and what they each commit to do now and […]
EWCA rules cohabitant must show detriment to claim share of house
EWCA upholds controversial judgement The England and Wales Court of Appeal (EWCA) has found that a former cohabitant seeking a greater share in a home bought in joint names with no declaration of trust must change their position or show detriment. The case involves a house bought in 2007 without a declaration of trust by […]
Government issues call to action to protect those born of sexual violence in conflict
Call to action seeks to protect rights and wellbeing of those born as a result of sexual violence The UK Government have announced a call to action to ensure the rights and wellbeing of children who are born of sexual violence in conflict. In a policy paper it was stated that there are “substantial numbers […]
Regulator reveals over 50% rise in complaints against barristers
Annual report shows complaints about conduct rose significantly from April 2021 to March 2022 The Bar Standards Board’s (BSB) annual Regulatory Decision-making report has revealed a 54% rise in complaints against barristers. The report revealed there were 2,517 reports about the conduct of barristers from April 2021 to March 2022. Cases which involved social media […]
Government announces £12 million grant to organisations giving free legal advice
Announcement comes as demands on services increases Charities and organisations which support people facing legal disputes will be provided extra funding as part of a government grant to provide an extra £12 million in funding. The organisations help people provide free advice and information regarding their legal disputes and this scheme builds on previous grants […]
Family law: What to expect in 2023
Divorce, parental alienation, cohabitation, surrogacy – just a handful of the areas that were under family law’s microscope in 2022. However, the law – and with it the economy, society, and technology – seldom stands still. With this in mind, there is much to consider as family lawyers look towards 2023. Here are the thoughts […]
Are UK beneficial ownership registers incompatible with fundamental human rights?
The UK Government has legislated to provide for three corporate beneficial ownership registers that must be kept up to date on pain of criminal and civil sanctions to make it more difficult to hide illicit wealth. However, similar registers maintained in the EEA have been held to be unlawful by the European Court of Justice […]
Hinduja v Hinduja judgment
The Court of Protection (CoP) usually sits in public but with reporting restrictions which generally prevent anyone including the media naming the protected party, P, (or any of the other parties who would identify them). The aim is to strike a balance between open justice and a vulnerable person’s right to privacy but has led […]
