Navigating surrogacy cases with legal DNA testing
The landscape of family life in the UK is evolving. Today, over 500 children are born through surrogacy each year, helping people all over the country start a family. However, this growth brings increased complexity for family law practitioners. Confirming the genetic relationship between the intended parent(s) and the child carried via surrogate is a […]
MoJ sets out plans to fund justice system with interest on client accounts
The government has set out proposals to use interest on lawyers’ client accounts as “a crucial source of funding” to support and enhance services in the justice system. Funds would be directed to “areas of greatest need”, the Ministry of Justice said in a statement. The Interest on Lawyers’ Clients Accounts Scheme (ILCA) will see […]
Law Society urges government to support families with more funding for civil legal aid
The Law Society of England and Wales has highlighted how civil legal aid helps level the playing field for families, in oral evidence presented to the Justice Committee on access to justice and legal aid this week. “Civil legal aid is a vital public service that supports our communities and reduces the strain on other […]
Pathfinder analysis explores experiences of families and sets out further ‘valuable opportunities for learning’
The Ministry of Justice has published an analysis of the experience of children and families in its Pathfinder pilot, which was launched in Dorset and North Wales in February 2022 to improve the court experience and outcomes in private family law proceedings. Initial figures release by the MoJ suggested the pilot had been successful in […]
HMCTS updates solicitor rates, with recommended fees now up to £579 an hour
HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has updated its guideline hourly rates for solicitors, with a recommended 2.28% increase effective from 1 January. The increase will see the top hourly rate (a grade A fee earner in the London 1 category) rise to £579, with the lowest rate (grade D fee earners in the National […]
High Court rules transgender father cannot be named on birth certificate
A High Court judgment confirming that a transgender man cannot be registered as the father on the birth certificate of his children highlights the difficulties faced by transgender parents, and the implications of marriage within the statutory framework governing legal parenthood. In the judgment handed down last week following a hearing in July, Mrs Justice […]
Former INXS manager in £14 million divorce fight
A former rock band manager, her SAS major ex-husband and her estranged multimillionaire mum who “hates” her are locked in a £14 million three-way divorce court fight. Australian former INXS manager turned wealthy businesswoman Maria-Christina Copinger-Symes (pictured) married British SAS major James Copinger-Symes, 57, in 1998 and set up home with their four children in […]