Inform clients of cost increases or face sanctions, Legal Ombudsman states
Yesterday the Legal Ombudsman revised their guidance, reminding lawyers that they must tell clients the ongoing cost of their service. Failing to do so, could result in complaints made against them. One in ten complaints referred to the Legal Ombudsman’s Office are on lawyers’ bills, and general disgruntlement surrounding costs features in many more. One […]
Government responds to Domestic Abuse and the Family Court report
In July 2023, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner published a report into the Family Court’s response to domestic abuse. The government has now responded to the recommendations within this report. It is important to note that the report applies to England and Wales. Section 8 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 gives the Domestic Abuse Commissioner […]
Ofcom’s first draft codes of practice under Online Safety Act
Last week the Online Safety Bill received Royal Assent, ensuring technology companies worked to make everyone much safer on the internet, and in particular children. As a result, Ofcom have outlined their first draft new rules hoping to better protect children online. It is hoped that these codes will see change brought about more quickly […]
King’s Speech: Criminal Justice reforms
King Charles announced that a Sentencing Bill will require whole-life sentences for the worst murders, mean rapists cannot be released early, and make it more likely short sentences for lesser crimes are served in the community. What’s more, the already-published Victims and Prisoners Bill would prevent certain prisoners from marrying, create new rights for crime victims, and […]
AI in Family Law: Are we all out of a job?
Family law, like many other sectors, is undergoing a significant transformation thanks (or not, perhaps) to the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. The legal landscape is evolving, with AI becoming an invaluable tool for family lawyers and their clients. This article explores the profound impact of AI in family law, shedding light on how […]
Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas: a case study on the power of mediation
Mediation has been around in the family law world since the mid 1980’s. As it is not a new concept, it is surprising it has taken almost 40 years to really hit headlines following its use by high profile figures, most recently Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas. Mediation has numerous benefits, which should really make […]
Refuge responds to lack of VAWG in King’s Speech
Refuge has responded to the lack of VAWG in the King’s Speech and stated that the government must “commit to delivering a radical and wide-ranging package of reforms”. King Charles recently announced that a Sentencing Bill will require whole-life sentences for the worst murders, mean rapists cannot be released early, and make it more likely […]
Supporting clients with ADHD
In 2023, ‘Neurodiversity’ is a vastly used ‘buzz word’. One internet search will bring up thousands of results and resources. This can leave people feeling overwhelmed with information. In this confusing tangle of information, how can legal professionals simplify this very complex topic and become allies to our neurodivergent clients and co-workers? This article will […]
Law Commission – financial remedies reform options
The Law Commission have announced that they are going to be assessing the reform options for the laws governing finances on divorce and the termination of a civil partnership. The Law Commission state the problem is that every year, tens of thousands of couples begin proceedings for separation which result in the use of financial […]
National review following the death of Baby M
Following the death of Baby M, the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel have stated that they are going to conduct a national review, examining the issues raised and whether what happened to Baby M is part of a wider national issue. Annie Hudson, Chair of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, said in her letter […]
Raising awareness of domestic abuse: The Intersection of Technology in Domestic Abuse and Family Law Cases
Following The Purple Pledge Domestic Abuse and Employment Conference recently held at Millennium Point, Birmingham, The Haven Training will be continuing to raise awareness to organisations about domestic abuse with its workshop on ‘The Intersection of Technology in Domestic Abuse and Family Law Cases’. Conference speakers from organisations who support domestic abuse victims and survivors […]
New research challenges divorce myths
A recent report – led by the University of Bristol and funded by the Nuffield Foundation – challenges common misconceptions surrounding high-profile divorce cases, revealing that most divorcing couples have limited assets to share, often lacking financial and legal knowledge. The research indicates that the median total assets of divorcing couples, including homes, pensions, and […]
