Government’s response to Legal Aid report ‘inadequate’
The government’s response to the Justice Select Committee’s access to justice report is “disappointing” and “inadequate,” according to MPs. The Justice Select Committee has called on the Ministry of Justice to “urgently prioritise” legal aid, warning that it is a “service in managed decline”. However, in its response to a report outlining proposed changes, the […]
LeO to consult on new strategy as demand for its service outpaces capacity
A new strategy to reform the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) service will be under consultation next week, as despite resolving more complaints year-on year, demand is outpacing capacity. In a half-year update from the complaints service published last Friday, the LeO reported having received more than 8,700 complaints, a 31% rise from the equivalent period last […]
Father’s application for contact with child, 10, who ‘hates him’, denied
A family court judge in Birmingham has refused a father’s application for a spend-time-with order in relation to a child aged 10 who is resistant to contact and says he ‘hates his father’. In F v M & Ors [2025], district judge Stephen Parker considered the application by a father, referred to in court as […]
Law Society welcomes CJC’s AI report but warns of potential for ‘misleading documents’
The Law Society of England and Wales has warned about the potential for “misleading documents” in its response to the Civil Justice Council’s report on preparing court documents with AI. Brett Dixon, Law Society president, said: “When people have to represent themselves in court and prepare court documents using AI, there can be serious consequences. […]
Family Mediation Council warns against relying on on AI for ‘life-changing’ decisions
The Family Mediation Council (FMC) is urging separating couples not to reply on AI chatbots to influence life-changing decisions, warning the tools cannot replace “expertise, training and human judgement”. Home of regulated family mediation in England and Wales, the FMC has acknowledged that AI tools can sound confident and empathetic but still does not compare […]
Former Law Society president takes the reins at mental health and wellbeing charity LawCare
Legal-focused mental health and wellbeing charity LawCare has confirmed the appointment of Mark Evans as its new Chief Executive. Evans’ takes up the role having completed his term as President of the Law Society of England and Wales The charity, which is approaching its 30th anniversary, aims to reach more people across the legal sector and […]
New Master of the Rolls, Sir Colin Birss, sworn in
Sir Colin Birss has been sworn in as Master of the Rolls, and head of Civil Justice at a Royal Courts of Justice ceremony. Birss was called to the Bar in 1990 and took Silk in 2008. He started his judicial career as a Deputy Chair of the Copyright Tribunal in 2009. He was appointed as […]
What psychologists wish family lawyers understood about psychological assessment
In my work as a forensic psychologist and expert assessor, I conduct psychological assessments for family and criminal proceedings. One issue I consider particularly important is how clearly the questions being asked of an assessment are defined. Psychological assessment can help clarify complex situations, but its value really depends on understanding what needs to be […]
30 years of change in family law
Simon Bassett recently celebrated not just three decades in the profession, but three decades at the same firm; an outlier in the legal world where recruitment and retention is often a key topic of discussion at partners’ meetings. He joins the latest Today’s Family Lawyer podcast to discuss, amongst other things, the long-term shifts transforming […]