More case studies added on banking facilities rule
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has added further case studies to those published online to help firms remain compliant with the rule prohibiting use of the client account as a banking facility. The SRA Accounts Rules include Rule 3.3, which states solicitors “must not use a client account to provide banking facilities to clients or […]
HFEA sets out mission to modernise fertility law
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has opened a consultation on proposed changes to UK fertility law. The Human Fertilisation & Embryology Act 1990 (HFE Act) is over 30 years old and while medicine, science, and society have moved on, the HFEA say the law itself has largely stood still and fails to reflect […]
Legal age of marriage rises to 18
Vulnerable children across England and Wales will be protected from the damaging impact of forced marriage as the legal age of marriage rises to 18, the Ministry of Justice confirmed this week. The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022, which gained Royal Assent in April last year, makes it a criminal offence to […]
Image-based abuse: Woman awarded £97k damages
A woman has been awarded £97,000 in damages as part of a civil case following the covert recording and subsequent sharing of naked images by her former partner. In FGX v Stuart Gaunt [2023] EWHC 419 (KB), the court heard the claimant “found a microscopic camera concealed in the bathroom at home”. Using the camera, […]
Marriage ‘going out of fashion’, data suggests
Data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that the proportion of the population choosing to marry – especially in younger age groups – has plummeted. The proportion of adults who have never married or been in a civil partnership has increased every decade from 26.3% in 1991 to 37.9% in 2021, […]
New ‘family hubs’ set to offer local support to families
The government has announced the creation of thousands of new “family hubs” that will offer local support to families with issues including relationship building and mental health. The hubs will act as a “one-stop shop” to offer guidance and advice, with the government aiming to ensure families get the support they need from birth through […]
Family Division Liaison Judge appointments
The President of the Family Division, following consultation with the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice, has announced the following appointments. Each appointment will be for a period of four years, with effect from Monday 13th February 2023: Mr Justice Keehan has been appointed as Senior Family Division Liaison Judge; he has succeeded Mrs […]
Division of assets in divorce proceedings influenced by husband’s litigation misconduct
The issue of jurisdiction is unavoidable in complex financial provision in divorce cases where the parties involved have international assets, and will always be considered carefully by the family court. This is made yet more complicated when one of the parties fails to engage with the proceedings. In the recent case of XO v YO [2022] […]
Coercive control on the big screen
The new Anna Kendrick film – Alice, Darling – has been praised for its portrayal of coercive control on the big screen. Sharon Horgan’s smash hit TV drama “Bad Sisters” has also recently included a coercive control storyline front and centre, helping to shine the spotlight on this issue which was only recognised legally since […]
Setting up a paralegal practice
Before setting out to deliver paralegal services direct to businesses and consumers, there are several issues to consider. These include qualifications and experience, demand for the services you would offer, and how you would grow your business. Qualifications Clients want to be sure that the person handling their (frequently delicate) legal issues is competent to […]
