Irwin Mitchell has announced it will combine with Scotland-based law firm Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie in an effort to strengthen its presence north of the border. The two firms working in collaboration will provide a

family court

Parental alienation is a “handy tool for abusers” and a “national scandal”, a new study conducted by the BBC and the University of Manchester has suggested. The BBC exposed dozens of cases where children were

tag

Hundreds of domestic abuse perpetrators are to be given electronic tags upon release from prison in a move to better protect victims and survivors. The Ministry of Justice said under its new scheme, which will

guidance

The Family Justice Council (FJC) has released draft guidance by its Working Group on responding to alienating behaviour. The guidance is designed to assist the Family Court at whatever stage of the proceedings the issue

SRA regulation of CILEX lawyers risks confusing consumers when trying to choose the right legal services, the Law Society of England and Wales has said. This comes in response to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)

barrister

Mr Justice Mostyn praised the “outstanding” advocacy of lawyers involved in a highly complex recent financial remedy case as he prepares to draw the curtain on his judicial career. Susan Nancy Baker v Andrew Hartill

mental health

Delays and shortages mean children in need of mental health crisis care are often being looked after by local authority children’s services teams and the courts while others turn to drugs, according to new analysis.

social housing

Housing associations, social landlords, and developers in England are being urged to allow childminders to work in their rented properties, to help encourage entry into the profession and increase availability of childcare for parents. Children

Salaries for lawyers who moved firms last year increased by three times as much as those for lawyers who stayed loyal to their firms, according to new research by legal recruitment consultancy Realm Recruit. As

ai

An artificial intelligence (AI) platform claiming to provide an “innovative legal aid service” has expanded its service into a mobile application. LawMate.AI uses technology to provide legal information and answer questions based on legal principles,

online grooming offence

Shocking new data has revealed the number of Sexual Communication with a Child offences last year (2022/23) was nearly double the number seen in 2017/18 when the offence first came into force. Specifically, 6,350 instances

legal aid

Providers working in civil legal aid are now able to access a new financial eligibility tool called “check if your client qualifies for legal aid” (CCQ), the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) has announced. Assessments of

greenwood

Manchester United Football Club’s decision not to keep Mason Greenwood following allegations including attempted rape and assault is “a relief for many survivors of domestic and sexual abuse”, says Women’s Aid. The footballer, who has

National law firm Irwin Mitchell has announced that its Group Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Tucker, passed away last Wednesday following an “unexpected illness”. Tucker had been part of Irwin Mitchell for nearly 40 years, joining

The Drive Partnership, a coalition of groups working on the response to domestic abuse, has announced a rebrand. The Drive Partnership is a partnership between Respect, Safelives, and Social Finance. They came together in 2015

ofsted

Ofsted has issued a fresh warning against the placement of vulnerable children, including those subject to deprivation of liberty orders, in unregistered children’s homes. Children subject to deprivation of liberty (DoL) orders have complex needs

ministry of justice

The government has announced £26 million of new specialist support measures for victims of rape and sexual violence. The fund has been awarded to 62 specialist services over the next two years. Projects that will

the law society graphic

Aspiring solicitors should be paid £23,122 outside of London and £26,068 in London for qualifying work experience (QWE) for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) or during their training contract, the Law Society of England and

ecthr

The UK could withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights in an effort to push through its small boats policy – a move that has been described by the Law Society as “using a

legal aid

Legal aid means testing has been removed for certain family cases as of 3rd August 2023, the Legal Aid Agency has announced. Specifically, means testing will no longer be required for: Under 18s applying for

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