Special Guardianship Orders: Legal aid support extended
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed enhanced legal aid support for those applying for Special Guardianship Orders (SGO). Under the move, funding will be extended to more people applying for SGOs, which see a child in need of a loving home placed with extended family, friends, or foster parents until they reach the age […]
10% of private family law applications involve non-parents, research shows
Private law applications to the family court usually involve separated parents who are struggling to agree arrangements for their children. However, 10% of these applications each year feature people who aren’t parents. New research published by Nuffield Family Justice Observatory (Nuffield FJO) explores the types of orders being applied for and the characteristics of the […]
Negligent divorce advice lands Essex firm £400,000 bill
After failing to advice a former divorce client on her eligibility for her spouse’s pension, a law firm in Essex was forced to pay her £400,000, heard in the High Court. His Honour Judge Coe KC, sitting as a judge of the High Court, found that the claimant, Joanne Lewis, entered into an unfair settlement […]
Cafcass issues new practice quality standards for working with children and families
Cafcass has introduced practice quality standards for working with children and families in private law family court proceedings and updated its practice quality standards when working with children, families and partners in public law proceedings. The standards are designed to support Family Court Advisers and Children’s Guardians in their practice and to deliver on our ambition that every […]
Case commentary: A v B & C [2023] EWCA Civ 360
It is sadly not uncommon for family practitioners to encounter cases where there are allegations of rape and sexual misconduct perpetrated by one party during the course of a relationship. In the context of private law proceedings, the Court is often called upon to consider these allegations and their impact in relation to child arrangements. […]
In the Yellow Chair: No-fault divorce
In the latest iteration of In the Yellow Chair, Tom Nash – also known as Mr Divorce Coach – offers his perspective on the introduction of no-fault divorce one year on. Why do you think no-fault divorce was implemented? No-fault divorce (NFD) is the beginning of a new era in family law, and I feel […]
Law firms issued guidance on new wellbeing at work rules
We have issued updated guidance to help law firms and those who work for them understand what new rules on health and wellbeing in the workplace mean for them. The new rules were introduced earlier this month following approval by the Legal Services Board (LSB). They include specific obligations in the Codes of Conduct for both firms […]
