Dominique Pelicot Jailed for 20 Years in Landmark mass rape trial

In a historic and harrowing trial, French courts have sentenced Dominique Pelicot, 72, to 20 years in prison for aggravated rape and drugging his ex-wife, Gisele Pelicot. The ruling is the culmination of a trial that also saw convictions for 50 other men charged with raping or assaulting Gisele over a period of years. The […]
Law Commission publishes scoping report on financial remedies on divorce

Today the Law Commission has published a scoping report on the laws governing finances on divorce and the ending of a civil partnership. The Commission has concluded that the law needs to be reformed and presents Government with four models that reform could take. These range from codifying the current case law to introducing default […]
Government takes steps toward surrogacy reform following Law Commission report

Progress on surrogacy reform appears to be underway as the government recently met with the Law Commission to discuss recommendations outlined in its 2023 report, which had seemed to stall, as reported by The Law Society Gazette. The Law Commission of England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission conducted a consultation on surrogacy reforms […]
Enhancing compliance: Insights from the SRA’s thematic review on professional obligations

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has conducted a thematic review of how firms and individuals engage with their professional obligations. This review highlights how firms access, understand, and integrate regulatory information, as well as areas for improvement to promote a culture of compliance and competence. The review engaged with 250 individuals through a survey, conducted […]
New sentencing guideline for strangulation and suffocation offences

The Council has published a new guideline for judges and magistrates sentencing strangulation and suffocation offences in England and Wales. It will come into force on 1st January 2025. The guideline aims to ensure consistent and appropriate sentencing for these serious crimes, which are often linked to domestic abuse but can also occur in other […]
Majority of family lawyers reject caps on spousal maintenance – survey reveals

A new survey from Charles Russell Speechlys, shows that the majority of family lawyers believe there should not be a maximum period for the term of spousal periodical payment orders (SPPOs) (often referred to as “spousal maintenance” or “alimony”). In a debate hosted by the law firm on 19th November between a number of esteemed […]
Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast: A Year of Insightful Conversations

As Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast approaches the close of another year, it’s time to reflect on a remarkable journey of compelling conversations, industry insights, and actionable advice. Hosted by David Opie, Managing Director at Today’s Media, the podcast has continued to resonate with its audience, offering diverse perspectives on the family law sector. With over […]
Shared care orders over the Christmas season

The Christmas period for some is a time of celebration, but for others it is a time they dread. Some parents have the same battle each year about when the children will spend time with them. Many families don’t require Court Orders, but sadly others do. When making an application to resolve Christmas arrangements, there is […]