Landmark case on parental responsibility: Lessons from the Court of Appeal in Re J, Re M, and Re P (Loss of Responsibility)
The Court of Appeal has handed down its judgment in the landmark case of Re J (Loss of Parental Responsibility), [2026] EWCA Civ 344. The International Family Law Group LLP represents the lead appellant in three conjoined appeals relating to the issue of parental responsibility; this judgment is without doubt a ‘must-read’ for family practitioners […]
Lords Committee publishes call for evidence in Domestic Abuse Act inquiry
The House of Lords Domestic Abuse Act 2021 Committee has published a call for evidence in its inquiry considering the effective operation of the act and whether it is meeting its policy objectives. The committee is keen to hear from a diverse range of individuals and organisations on topics including: The extent to which the […]
Government sets out expectations for tech providers in halving VAWG
Liz Kendall, the secretary of state for science, innovation and technology, has written to online service providers setting out the government’s expectations of the providers’ role in halving violence against women and girls (VAWG) in a decade. In the open letter, Kendall sets out the steps the government expects the providers to take, including conducting risk assessments […]
LeO seeks input on draft complaints procedure
The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) has launched a call for input on its draft Model Complaints Resolution Procedure (MCRP), a new framework aimed at improving the consistency and quality of how complaints are handled by legal service providers. “Effective complaints handling is fundamental to trust and confidence in legal services,” the LeO said. “However, our insight from more […]
New Law Society guide informs solicitors of AI risks
The Law Society of England and Wales has launched a new practical guide to help solicitors make safer, more informed technology decisions and warns that unsafe AI adoption may expose firms to risks. The majority of firms and solicitors now use AI for routine legal practice tasks such as drafting documents and analysing case material, […]
Law Society president Mark Evans to lead LawCare’s London marathon team
Law Society president Mark Evans is raising funds and awareness for mental health in the legal sector at the TCS London Marathon in April. Evans will run the marathon alongside solicitors Kayleigh Wilding and Matt Ottley, all of whom are taking on the task to highlight the pressures many people working in law face and […]
Repealing the presumption of parental involvement – a step too far?
When the government confirmed the new Courts and Tribunal Bill will repeal the presumption of parental involvement earlier this month, the reaction was overwhelmingly positive. But Jake Mitchell, senior associate at Freeths, warns the repeal is “a dangerous red herring” that heightens the potential for emotional harm to the children it is designed to protect. […]
Understanding client behaviours to deliver a better service
The legal profession lacks formal training on managing vicarious trauma, emotional overwhelm, and the human dynamics underpinning family breakdown, leading to family professionals’ own mental health and wellbeing coming under pressure through their work. With 20 years’ experience as a trauma specialist psychotherapist and a trained cognitive behavioural therapist, not to mention a family mediator, […]