£14.5m High Court trust dispute arose over biological status of son
A court battle between between two siblings who found out in adulthood one was the product of an affair are to share a £14.5m trust fund after a High Court judge ruled the intention of their father’s will was to include his ‘children’ regardless of their biological relationship to him. Stuart Marcus had built a […]
Wife ordered to pay half of former spouse’s gender reassignment surgery
An ex-wife has been ordered to pay half of the cost of her ex-husband’s gender reassignment surgery after a judge found there was a “genuine and deep-felt medical/psychological need” for the ex-husband to transition. Brighton Family Court heard how the former spouses, who cannot be named for legal reasons, both worked in financial services, married […]
Ombudsman to publish more examples of complaints failings in drive for greater transparency
Efforts to help the legal sector better understand the role of the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) and provide insight into their decisions are to be redoubled under a ‘renewed commitment to using statutory powers to publish final decisions where it is in the public interest to do so.’ The Legal Ombudsman, established in the wake of […]
Maximum compensation limits for miscarriages of justice to increase
The government have confirmed a 30% increase in maximum compensation limits payable under the miscarriage of justice system in England and Wales. Currently the limits are £1 million for 10 or more years imprisonment or £500,000 for up to 10 years. These are to be increased to £1.3 million and £650,000 respectively; an ‘important part […]
Rules around local connection requirements formally amended
People leaving care and domestic abuse survivors are to be given greater access to safe and secure social housing following changes to local connection requirements, enacted as part of the government’s Plan for Change. Previewed last month by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, the changes to the rule which came into effect from Friday 11th […]
£500m social outcomes partnerships funding to give children ‘best start in life’
The government have announced a 10 year fund aimed at boosting pupil achievement, supporting children with mental health issues, and reducing reoffending rates amongst young people in what is described as a ‘groundbreaking’ initiative bringing government, local communities, charities, social enterprises, investors, and philanthropists together to give children a brighter future. The Better Futures Fund […]
The evolving language of family law; and how we can play our part
In this episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer podcast, host David Opie welcomes Sally Robinson, partner and head of the HCR Law Family Team in Central England. Broadcasting from the Northampton office, Sally brings over two decades of legal experience to a timely discussion on how language in family law is evolving. Sally reflects on the landmark shift introduced by no-fault divorce, calling […]
Think It’s Over? Think Again: Revisiting Decisions Before Sealing Under Barrell
Powerful, underused, and easily forgotten: The Barrell[1] jurisdiction is the legal equivalent of a trapdoor in the courtroom floor. It gives the court the rare power to reverse its own decision at any point before the order is drawn up and sealed, if there is good reason to do so. For many practitioners, it barely […]