Mediation – ‘It is a time of significant change in family law’
Now the dust is settling after the government’s announcement that it won’t bring in changes to force separating couples to mediate, consideration is being given on what that means going forward. To effectively end with the headline announcing status quo, after a year-long consultation on compulsory mediation, could send a message that it’s still going […]
Domestic Abuse Commissioner responds to new statutory aggravating factor
The Domestic Abuse Commissioner has responded to the new statutory aggravating factor for sexually violent homicides. Following the Ministry of Justice announcement on tougher sentences for rough sex killers the Domestic Abuse Commissioner has responded. A new statutory aggravating factor will be brought in for offenders who cause death through abusive, degrading or dangerous sexual […]
How well prepared for adulthood are children with SEND?
The government have announced new visits to understand how well children with SEND are prepared for adulthood. New guidance from Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) surrounding the announcement of visits looking at how children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are being prepared for adulthood. Ofsted and the CQC […]
Rape Review Progress Report: Winter 2024
Rape Review Progress Report: Winter 2024 – The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) have published their report which provides an update on the progress they have made in implementing the Rape Review Action Plan. The Rape Review Action Plan commits the Criminal Justice System (CJS) to a conscious reversal in the trends following 2016, more than […]
LFMC Professional Services Marketing Survey
The Law Firm Marketing Club (LFMC) has announced the launch of its annual Professional Services Marketing Survey, inviting participation from professional services firms across the United Kingdom. The survey, designed to offer comprehensive insights into the professional services landscape, hopes to be a valuable resource for firms seeking to navigate the evolving market trends. The […]
Will transparency in the courts push more clients into ADR?
It’s clear the legal landscape of family courts is changing as we move deeper into 2024. At the beginning of January, the BBC reported that the pilot scheme to allow journalists and legal bloggers to report on cases from three family courts in England and Wales was to be extended to 16 more. This means […]
Tougher sentences for ‘rough sex’ killers
‘Cowards’ who kill their partners with sexual violence will face longer behind bars as the government continues to clamp down on domestic abuse against women. A new statutory aggravating factor will be brought in for offenders who cause death through abusive, degrading or dangerous sexual behaviour – or so-called ‘rough sex’ – meaning killers are […]
A decade of divorce proceedings: the war rages on
The Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Potanina v Potanin, handed down on 31 January 2024, centred on the right of a respondent to an application under Part III of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings 1984, which concerns financial relief after an overseas divorce. This couple have been warring in courts around the world […]
Potanina v Potanin and the lessons for the profession
Recorded shortly after the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Potanin v Potanina [2024] UKSC 3, partner at Hunters Law LLP Richard Kershaw join Today’s Family Lawyer podcast host to discuss the implications of the decision in the family law sphere. Richard outlines the facts of case; both parties are Russian citizens who were […]
