Family Mediation Week 2025 to help separating parents avoid courtroom conflict
Family Mediation Week 2025 runs from Monday 27th to Friday 31st January, 2025 Couples who have decided to separate or divorce are being urged to find out how to avoid courtroom confrontation to settle money and parenting arrangements, with the launch of Family Mediation Week 2025 which takes place between 27th and 31st January. The […]
The funding gap risking the future of domestic abuse services in England
A new report published by Women’s Aid reveals the severity of the £321 million funding gap faced by domestic abuse services. Life-saving services have been forced into using organisation reserves and reduce areas of work as a result of this gap, sparking concern over their future. 15% of respondents to the Women’s Aid annual survey, […]
MoJ announces an extension to the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme
It has been announced that the Minister responsible for family justice has confirmed the family mediation voucher scheme will be continued for a further year until March 2026. Following news that the Ministry of Justice has extended the family mediation voucher scheme by 12 months, Stephen Burke, Chair of The Family Mediation Council (FMC), said: […]
‘Delegate Now to Supercharge Your Profits’ – read our first exclusive extract
In a series of short excerpts from a new book, Dan Warburton shares his insight on how law firm owners and senior managers can increase their profits by being better at delegating their workload. Over the course of the next three weeks Today’s Family Lawyer is serialising Delegate Now to Supercharge Your Profits with a weekly […]
Law Society helps shape civil legal aid fee proposals
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has opened its consultation to increase civil legal aid fees for those working in housing and immigration sectors. The Law Society of England and Wales welcomes the proposed hike in civil legal aid fees, the first in nearly 30 years. The proposal will include: Civil legal aid rates rising to […]
Landmark Judicial review challenges Councils’ Safety Valve Agreements over SEN funding cuts
Watkins Solicitors is representing families in a pivotal Judicial Review case against Devon County Council and Bristol City Council’s Safety Valve Agreement, due to be heard at the Bristol High Court from 28–30 January 2025. This significant case challenges Devon County Council and Bristol City Council’s decision to enter into a Safety Valve Agreement with […]
The State of Mediation
Norman Hartnell was among the first family mediators in England and Wales, qualifying in 1989. In 1999, he co-founded the Devon Family Mediation Agency, later Devon Family Solutions Ltd. Here, he shares how mediation has evolved. Training: Then and Now Mediation training used to be holistic, combining legal, relationship, and emotional skills. Solicitors, psychologists, and […]
Building a profile using social media
Launching the latest series of the Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast, host David Opie is joined by Head of the Family Department at Chester-based Oliver & Co Solicitors Alex Reagan to discuss the firm’s proactive approach to marketing to help build the firm’s profile. Having launched a social media series called Family Fact Friday the firm […]
