From myth to reality: The call for reform to cohabitation laws | Part 1
Part one of this two-part article will assess the myth of “common law marriage” and the current rights available for separating couples. Look out for part two where the current law’s fitness for purpose will be put to the test, with proposed reforms also assessed. The ‘common law marriage’ myth One in five couples are […]
Smart home devices ‘a growing problem’ in enabling domestic abuse – report
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee has published its report Connect tech: smart or sinister, which warns that the use of smart technology and connected devices in facilitating domestic abuse is becoming a growing problem. The Committee launched its inquiry in May last year to consider both the potential benefit and harms of connected technology, […]
Ofsted warns against use of unregistered children’s homes
Ofsted has issued a fresh warning against the placement of vulnerable children, including those subject to deprivation of liberty orders, in unregistered children’s homes. Children subject to deprivation of liberty (DoL) orders have complex needs and require high levels of skilled care and supervision. Too often, these children are placed in illegal unregistered settings without […]
Today’s Family Lawyer Conference: The Family Law Language Project
As family law professionals, the language we use impacts everything we do. From the relationships we have with our peers and colleagues to how a client understands the advice we give and the legal options available to them. Language also has a much wider impact: complex technical language in Court can make people feel alienated; […]
Data reveals concerning number of reports of coercive and controlling behaviour towards children
In the last year, the NSPCC Helpline received almost 1,400 contacts about children experiencing coercive and controlling behaviour as part of domestic abuse. The Childline service gave over 1,000 counselling sessions to children and young people experiencing domestic abuse, with 221 mentioning coercive and controlling behaviour What’s more, their new analysis, supported by the COVID-19 support fund, shows that they received an average of 131 concerns […]
Cansford Laboratories’ care guides lighten the load for family lawyers
Leading drug and alcohol testing laboratory, Cansford Laboratories, has introduced a suite of materials – a family law client toolkit – containing accessible guides about the drug, alcohol or DNA testing process. Cansford Laboratories is the first in the industry to issue free client care guides to support family law clients. Navigating legal processes, especially […]
Government announces new support measures for victims of sexual violence
The government has announced £26 million of new specialist support measures for victims of rape and sexual violence. The fund has been awarded to 62 specialist services over the next two years. Projects that will benefit include We Are Survivors, who provide male-specific sexual assault and rape support, as well as Trafford Rape Crisis, who […]
Domestic violence orders marginally up on this time last year
In January to March 2023, there was a similar number of applications made, with a 0.4% increase, compared to the equivalent quarter in 2022, according to the Ministry of Justice’s quarterly Family Court statistics. The overall picture highlights a longer-term increase in the number of applications, with the number of applications in the latest quarter […]
Legal executives to get ‘same status’ as solicitors, SRA suggests
A Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) document suggests that legal executives should get the “same status” as solicitors and become aligned in the standards that apply to them, according to reports. After carefully evaluating both regulators’ comments to CILEX’s “case for change”, CILEX declared that it would move through with its plans to transfer regulation of […]
Child Abduction – “Habitual residence” and case complications
Since 1993 Derek Parsons, a solicitor at RWK Goodman, has specialised in Child Abduction work and joins this latest Todays’ Family Lawyer podcast to discuss his experience. Derek explores the reasons why children can become removed from their homes and the work he does in ensuring they are protected. Broadly speaking much of Derek’s work […]
