Cohabitation law reform moves forward as government plans consultation
The long-anticipated reform of cohabitation law could arrive sooner than expected, as the government has confirmed plans to launch a consultation on the issue this year. Labour’s 2024 manifesto pledged to strengthen legal rights and protections for women in cohabiting relationships. Responding to questions from the House of Commons justice select committee, Lord Ponsonby of […]
One in ten children in couple families affected by parental conflict, data reveals
Official statistics were released by the Department for Work & Pensions on the proportion of children affected by parental conflict in families. The figures showed that 10% of children in couple-parent families had at least one parent who reported relationship distress in the 2021 to 2022 survey period. 10% of children in couple-parent families had […]
Swifter justice for victims as courts sit at record level
The Lord Chancellor, Shabana Mahmood, has confirmed that Crown Court judges will sit for a collective 110,000 days in the next financial year – 4,000 more than was initially allocated the previous year. The increase will mean more hearings at the Crown Court in the coming year, helping victims see justice faster than they otherwise […]
Government pledges to protect more women from violence
This International Women’s Day, as statistics show that a woman is killed on average every 3 days in the UK, the government has reiterated its commitment to halving violence against women and girls in a decade. For the past 10 years, Jess Phillips has read the names of women suspected of being killed by men […]
Prison expanded to create UK’s largest jail and keep public safe
The three new, four-storey houseblocks at HMP Highpoint will boost its capacity by more than 50% – and is the latest step in Government action to create safer streets. The houseblocks will include innovative workshops and teaching facilities to train prisoners with skills to secure a job on release and turn their backs on crime […]
Support Through Court launches ‘Residual Impact’ campaign to help more people access justice
Legal support charity Support Through Court has launched a new campaign encouraging law firms to release unclaimed client balances to help people facing court without a lawyer. Last year, Support Through Court assisted over 50,000 individuals without legal representation, guiding them through complex court systems and processes. Demand for this free service has surged as […]
Increase in fees for family proceedings
In early April 2025, and subject to parliamentary approval, the Ministry of Justice will increase 171 court and tribunal fees to account for changes to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The income generated from these uplifts will help to support the efficient and effective running of His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS). Most notably […]
Autism, Masking and Child Arrangements Orders
Having been involved in two keenly disputed Children Act cases recently where the parents have vastly different experiences of their autistic child, I thought it would be helpful to explore how autism may present and the factors to be considered when seeking Child Arrangements Orders for such children. Autistic children may “mask” (hide their feelings […]
Life in the law – have your say before 21st March 2025
Podcast host David Opie is joined by CEO of the charity LawCare, Elizabeth Rimmer, to discuss their latest “Life in the Law” surveys which are now open for completion until Friday 21st March. LawCare supports and promotes mental health and wellbeing across the legal services sector. They have 2 main focuses. Their first is in […]