‘Challenges to legal aid’ says Law Society
The Law Society has warned that civil and criminal legal aid face significant challenges to their long-term sustainability, as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) holds an oral evidence session today. In response to the PAC’s inquiry on Value for Money from Legal Aid*, the Law Society recommends: The UK government immediately invest £11.3m in civil […]
Civil Legal Aid Review looks to international jurisdictions for guidance, favouring Netherlands ‘high trust’ model
The UK government has published its international comparator report examining how civil legal aid is delivered in six other countries, as part of its Civil Legal Aid Review. The Review considered the civil legal aid system in its entirety, from how services are procured, how well the current system works for users and providers, and […]
Police abuse hotline is a start but forces must properly deal with complaints, says Commissioner
Nicole Jacobs, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, has cautiously embraced the introduction of the Police Anti-Corruption and Abuse Reporting Service, a nationwide helpline facilitated by Crimestoppers. The service, commissioned jointly by the NPCC and APCC, aims to empower the public to report instances of corruption and abuse involving police officers, staff, and volunteers, expanding upon the […]
Law firms remain resilient in tough economic times – The Law Society
Against a tough economic backdrop and with the cost of living rising sharply, law firms saw profits go only marginally down, according to the Law Society’s Financial Benchmarking Survey that provides an overview of the financial performance of the legal sector. The research shows that profits per equity partner continued the pre-COVID trend, with median […]
OurFamilyWizard launches a new feature internationally
OurFamilyWizard is releasing its new Calls feature in international markets, beginning with the United Kingdom. The Calls feature offers documented video and audio calling between a co-parent and their child, both for officially scheduled indirect contact as well as casual conversations. The Calls feature is coming soon to Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Nick VanWagner, […]
Richard Spencer case highlights female on male abuse, after 43 images of bruises inflicted by wife Sheree Spencer handed over in court
After a lengthy investigation by Humberside police a British Mum was sentenced to four years in prison and given a restraining order after pleading guilty to coercive control and three counts of assault against her husband. Nanny cam footage caught the wife and mother brandishing a carving knife at her spouse of 20 years. IT […]
Column: Cohabitation Laws in Practice
Gabrielle Thomas, a senior associate from Stowe Family Law explores the potential outcomes of a new cohabitation reform, set to be enforced by 2026. As the popularity of marriage declines, many couples now choose to live together prior to getting married, and some choose not to get married at all. In recognition of the shifting […]
Over 3,000 participants confirm growing success of Family Mediation Week initiative
New figures show the growing success of Family Mediation Week, with well over 3,000 people having participated in a series of webinars and face-to-face meetings held during the January 2024 event, almost doubling the corresponding figure for 2023. Family Mediation Week 2024 events, organised by The Family Mediation Council (FMC), provided information and support to […]
Supreme Court makes a decision on mixed injury cases
This the Supreme Court dismissed both the appeal and cross-appeal in the Mixed Injury tests cases, upholding the Court of Appeal majority approach (2023). The Civil Liability Act 2018 and the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021 made under it have specified the amount of damages payable for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (‘PSLA’) caused by […]
