Can technology change the adversarial nature of divorce?
The Today’s Family Lawyer podcast welcomes Tara Dunne (OurFamilyWizard) and Pelumi Adeola (BHP Law) to discuss how technology is changing the narrative around adversarial divorce proceedings. Promoting positive communication between those separating, and their representation, is critical. Alongside the work being done through alternative dispute resolution and by organisations like Resolution, what else can we […]
Over 10,000 women fleeing domestic abuse refused safe housing last year – report
Last year, over 10,000 women fleeing domestic abuse across England were denied safe housing, according to a report from The Times. The figures revealed that almost “8,000 households referred to a safe accommodation service did not receive support because there was no capacity and a further 3,000 were denied places because the shelter ‘could not […]
How can you support yourself when your vulnerable clients need constant support?
I had underestimated the challenges of dealing with clients who are going through the most emotionally and financially challenging time in their lives when I first started my career as a family lawyer. I had seen my colleagues deal with vulnerable clients, but it was often listening to their conversations on the telephone, so I […]
Practice Guidance: Independent Domestic Violence Advisers and Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (Family Courts)
The President of the Family Division has issued the following guidance relating to the attendance of any court hearing of independent domestic violence advsisers / independent sexual violence advisers as support to litigants at all levels of the Family Court. 1. This guidance applies to family proceedings in the Court of Appeal (Civil Division), the […]
SRA releases new sanctions questionnaire
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has released a new questionnaire compelling law firms to report on their firm’s approach to financial sanctions. The assessment should outline how the firm is ensuring compliance with the current financial sanctions regime. The window for responses is 2nd – 31st May 2023. Below is the SRA’s guidance related to […]
Over 400 victims of forced marriage in the past year, research shows
There were more than 400 victims that were forced into marriage in the UK over the last year, according to a report from Sky News. Sky News spoke to Karma Nirvana, a specialist charity for victims and survivors of honour-based abuse in the UK, who said they “supported more than 2,500 victims of honour-based abuse […]
What do new CGT reforms mean for the future of divorce?
Henry Crisp, Senior partner at the family law firm, Crisp & Co, has predicted what the future of divorce will look like following the new Capital Gains Tax reforms commencing on 6th April. Under the current Capital Gains Tax (CGT) laws, separating couples transferring their assets should do so within the tax year of separation […]
What is holistic divorce coaching?
Divorce can be an incredibly difficult and challenging time for anyone going through it. Not only is there the emotional turmoil of ending a relationship, but there are also practical considerations such as dividing assets and making arrangements for any children involved. This is where holistic divorce coaching can make a significant difference. Holistic divorce […]
New course to help parents prioritise children’s needs during separation
Cafcass has launched a new course to help parents to prioritise their children’s needs during separation. Planning Together for Children, a programme created by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), has been launched on behalf of the Ministry of Justice to provide online support for parents involved in private law family […]
PM to ‘clamp down’ on grooming gangs
Grooming gangs who target children and young women will be “stamped out” under new plans unveiled by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. A new Grooming Gangs Taskforce led by the police and supported by the National Crime Agency, will help police forces with live child sexual exploitation and grooming investigations with the objective of “root[ing] out […]
Diary of a Legal Aid Lawyer: Reasonable adjustments in court
Requesting reasonable adjustments to help clients feel more at ease when at court We work with some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. They may have a mental impairment that affects their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities or protective characteristics such as learning disabilities, mobility concerns, or diminished mental capacity. For […]
Government sets out plans for ‘failure to prevent fraud’ offence
The government has set out its plans for the “failure to prevent fraud” (FTPF) offence contained in a recent amendment to the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill. The offence is intended to mirror existing failure to prevent offences and will cover a set of core fraud offences such as fraud by false representation, fraud […]
Family Mediation Council responds to mandatory mediation plans
New government family law proposals could accelerate a cultural shift for separating couples away from family courts, says The Family Mediation Council (FMC). In March, a series of new measures proposed in a consultation by the Ministry of Justice were set out to help separating families see out-of-court dispute resolution as their first stop. This […]
