Father of South Sudan’s ‘most expensive bride’ Athiak Dau Riak facing charges for marrying off a minor after viral ‘dowry battle’ sparks age dispute

A young woman who is reported to be the ‘most expensive virgin bride’ in South Sudan has gone viral after her mother says she is only 14 but her father claims she is 19 and is ‘happy to be wed’. Athiak Dau Riak, who has been featured in the news across Africa for what has […]
Unregulated firms providing divorce could face penalties as CMA says they are ‘taking action’ to ‘protect consumers’

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) say they are ‘taking action to protect the growing number of UK consumers who are opting for alternatives to high street solicitors’ when making a will or getting divorced. Unregulated companies could face action from the regulator if they are suspected of refusing consumers refunds, upselling add-on products or […]
Domestic abuse within finance resolution ‘elephant in the room’, says family justice campaigning body

Resolution is calling for a cultural shift across the whole family justice system to better meet the needs of victim-survivors of domestic abuse seeking to resolve their finances on divorce. Research from Resolution’s Economic Abuse Working Party has analysed the relationship between domestic abuse and the division of finances on divorce and how domestic abuse […]
Indian couple wins landmark court case to use deceased son’s frozen sperm for surrogacy

A couple in India has expressed their joy after a landmark ruling by the Delhi High Court granted them access to their late son’s frozen semen, allowing them to pursue surrogacy and have a grandchild, as reported by The BBC. This decision followed a four-year legal battle with a hospital that had initially refused their […]
Parents who have experienced pregnancy loss can apply for a certificate formally recognising their grief

The government has announced that all parents who have experienced losing a pregnancy can apply for a certificate formally recognising their loss. Baby loss certificates, which were launched in February of this year, haven been issued to more than 50,000 people under the voluntary scheme. Initially, the formal recognition was only available to those who […]
World Mental Health Day 2024 support network for solicitors’ mental health shines a spotlight on the importance of connection in the sector

For World Mental Health Day 2024, the solicitor’s charity is shining a spotlight on the importance of connection and support within the legal profession. The charity said ahead of the nationwide awareness day ‘we recognise that the challenges solicitors face can sometimes feel overwhelming. But, you don’t have to navigate tough times alone; we’re here […]
The importance of being an expert in your field

The latest Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast explores the increasing importance of specialising in certain areas of the law and being regarded as an expert in your field. Kim Lehal, Partner and Head of International Children at RWK Goodman, is one of just 49 accredited firms on the Ministry of Justice’s Child Abduction: Accredited Solicitors Referral […]