Guest Post: Are Paralegals striving only toward becoming solicitors?
By Amanda Hamilton, Patron of the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP) Working as a paralegal offers invaluable opportunities to hone practical skills essential for a career in law, and for many, this is the path they take to becoming a solicitor. Paralegals play a vital role in law firms, providing essential support to solicitors […]
Divorce stats show a decline in cases, despite expected surge following new legislation
New divorce and domestic violence data from the Ministry of Justice has revealed that at the tail end of last year there was an overall decline in divorces and domestic violence cases and adoption is on the rise. Between October and December 2023 there were 23,517 divorce applications under the new legislation, with predictions for […]
Court fee increase met with mixed reaction from sector as concerns raised about society’s most vulnerable
The Ministry of Justice announced intentions to increase selected fees for HM Courts and Tribunal Service(HMTCS) last year, the plans have been met with mixed reactions from the sector. Concerns have been raise about the ‘most vulnerable’ in society, and the ongoing cost of living crisis. Last November, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) revealed plans […]
Call for ‘multi-agency co-ordination’ as child Deprivation of Justice applications reaches all-time high
Data published from the The Ministry of Justice(MoJ) has shown that 1,368 children were subject to deprivation of liberty(DoL)applications under the inherent jurisdiction last year, and that figure has increased substantially over the last five years. A total of 289 children were recorded as being subject to deprivation of liberty applications between October and December […]
Thousands of families spared from damaging courtroom conflict
More than 27,000 separating families have saved money, protected their children and avoided lengthy, combative courtroom battles, due to a £23.6 million government scheme. The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme provides funding to help families navigate the complexities of separation, giving them the opportunity to settle issues around childcare and finances outside of court. Separating couples […]
Inquires about collection of surrogacy data: Government responds regarding recording limitations
Conservative Baroness Jenkin of Kennington has raised questions in Parliament regarding the collection and publication of data concerning Parental Orders awarded through the Family Court for England and Wales in cases of surrogacy. In her inquiry, she sought clarity on the government’s plans to categorise such orders based on different surrogacy arrangements, including those involving […]
‘Victims of domestic abuse must be heard’ after High Court Judge rescinds visitation for accused father
‘The Court has now righted it’s wrong’, was said of a High Court judge, she was praised for rescinding visitation after a father was accused of abuse. A partner at Lowry Legal has commented on the case, suggesting that those who have been accused of criminal charges shouldn’t have full access to their children, in […]
A day in the life as a family lawyer
Today is Monday, well its actually Tuesday as we’ve just had the Easter bank holiday but feels like Monday and now my whole week will be out of sync, with the added benefit that I have a whole week of work to fit into four days! I open the emails… the first task is to […]
Bridging Communication Gaps: The Crucial Role of Intermediaries in Family Court Proceedings
Introduction Family court proceedings can be emotionally charged, complex and challenging especially when delicate issues like with whom a child will live, or complex family dynamics, are involved. Recognising the need for effective communication and fair representation, the role of intermediaries has become increasingly significant in family court settings. In this blog we delve into […]
Ellisons Solicitors offers employers tips on upcoming law on parental and carers leave
Julian Outen, Partner and Head of Employment at Ellisons Solicitors, delves into new legislation for parental leave and what it means for employees. From 6 April 2024, draft Regulations extend further the current right of employees on maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave who are at risk of redundancy, to be offered suitable available employment […]
