Spending review a ‘missed opportunity’ to redress £307m shortfall in VAWG funding
Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ spending review was a missed opportunity to address the estimated £307m shortfall in spending on violence against women and girls (VAWG) say Refuge in a scathing attack on the government’s commitment to halve violence against women and girls within the next decade. “Today’s Spending Review should have marked a defining moment for […]
66% increase in the number of contested financial settlements
Rising living costs and have been attributed to a 66% increase in the number of settlements being contested as the number disputes arising from divorce awards hits a 15 year high. There were 76,000 divorces in 2023, a 30% fall in the number of divorces since 2021, and the lowest number in total since 1971. […]
Family justice provides ‘poor value for taxpayers’ says CILEX
The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) has thrown its weight behind criticism of the family courts system describing it as inefficient and “poor value for money for taxpayers” in its response to the Public Accounts Committee consultation. The call for evidence closed earlier this week with CILEX calling for urgent improvements to protect children […]
‘Severe sanctions’ for lawyers who fail to verify AI research, with a warning for managers
A High Court ruling related to the use of AI in legal proceedings has warned there will be ‘severe sanctions’ for lawyers who fail to comply with their professional obligations when using the technology. Managing partners and heads of chambers must demonstrate that ‘practical and effective measures’ have been taken to ensure every person providing […]
70% of the population denied access to Legal Aid
More than 42 million people in England and Wales, equating to nearly 70% of the population, do not have a community legal aid provider in their area according to research conducted by The Law Society. As part of the launch of its civil legal aid campaign the Law Society will publish a ‘legal aid desert’ […]
Pilot to offer right to review before final decisions on prosecution for rape or serious sexual abuse cases
Plans to ‘restore confidence’ in the justice systems and help get victims the justice they deserve have been announced as a new pilot is launched to offer survivors of rape or serious sexual abuse the right for their case to be reviewed by a different prosecutor before any final decisions are made. The pilot is […]
The Silent Witness
Covert recordings in Children Law Proceedings: A summary of the Family Justice Council’s guidance on their use in proceedings What do you advise your client when they ask if they can record the other parent’s calls or meetings? Many clients arrive for their initial consultation already armed with extensive undercover recordings of the other parent. […]