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A plethora of charities are amongst those calling for urgent reform to better protect women going through the family courts amidst the ongoing practice of domestic abuse perpetrators cross-examining victims. 28 women’s charities, solicitors, and
New changes to legal aid rules have come info force enabling foster parents and prospective adoptive parents to access non-means tested legal aid in First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)) appeals. The Ministry
The cost of living crisis could be a reason for couples to delay divorce in order to secure a better financial settlement once assets recover, one London firm has suggested. Lawyers at Payne Hicks Beach
The use of video technology to give evidence in cases involving crimes including sexual abuse and rape could be set to triple under new plans announced by the Ministry of Justice. It’s said victims in
Cafcass has published a new range of accessible “top tips” for parents and professionals involved in family court proceedings. The tips have been written by the Family Forum established by Cafcass in September 2021 as
A new legal artificial intelligence (AI) platform has been described as “marking a new era for the legal industry” by one Magic Circle Senior Partner. The platform, known as Harvey, is built on the platform
A recent Law Society report has led to court buildings across England and Wales being described as “shambolic” in a damning indictment of the chronically underfunded justice system. The Law Society of England and Wales
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has demanded an improvement in the leadership of legal regulators after its latest assessment of their performance proved damning. The regulators are assessed against the same five standards: Regulatory Approach,
New analysis of deprivation of liberty (DoL) applications concerning children in England and Wales has revealed the “extreme vulnerability” of those involved. Nuffield Family Justice Observatory (Nuffield FJO) studied DoL applications where there were concerns
New data has revealed that charging rates for intimate image offences, or “revenge porn”, remain low despite an increase in the number of offences recorded each year. Domestic abuse charity Refuge issued freedom of information
The government has launched a new plan to transform children’s social care by increasing early support for families, reducing the need for crisis response at a later stage. The plan, backed by £200 million over
A new report from Women’s Aid has found that domestic abuse services are struggling to provide crucial services to victims due to a continued lack of adequate funding. Women’s Aid said that, despite a sustained
New research has revealed a worrying two thirds of lawyers reported experiencing burnout as a direct result of their work. According to recruitment firm Realm Recruit, a further 21% have experienced some degree of stress
New research has revealed more than six in 10 first-time buyers (FTBs) are registering two or more names on the mortgage when purchasing a property. Specifically, FTBs – the numbers of whom remain higher than
Hear from Rowlinsons’ Head of Family Law Linda Hunter as she gives an insight into how her career started and what her typical day of a family law solicitor looks like. Tell us about your
New laws protecting parents who use the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) from abusive ex-partners are due to be introduced following an independent review. Survivors of domestic abuse will be given the choice to allow the
New reforms are set to make bereaved cohabitees with dependent children eligible for additional financial support. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is in its “final stages” of extending the Bereavement Support Payment and
The Home Office has announced a new £17 million fund to support children affected by domestic abuse across England and Wales. The funding will develop early intervention strategies to prevent violence against women and girls,
The family court reporting pilot has this week (30th January) launched in Cardiff, Leeds, and Carlisle in what marks a significant step towards “opening up the family court” and increasing transparency. The pilot introduces a
The Home Office has committed to new legislation protecting rape victims from invasive requests for personal records. Third party information on victims, such as education, medical, social services, and counselling records, can be requested by
Hunters Law has announced the launch of its new “one couple, one lawyer” service. The firm said it’s designed for separating couples “who wish to separate amicably and with dignity, whilst still benefitting from top-level
The Court of Appeal has provided what has been described as “essential guidance” on the consent requirements of s54(6) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (“HFEA 2008”). In its ruling in Re C
From Tuesday 31st January 2023, legal representatives must submit and manage applications for contested financial remedy online using MyHMCTS. Documents and orders must be uploaded to the online service and will no longer be accepted
The Legal Aid Agency (LAA) has announced changes to the legal aid eligibility rules to ensure those receiving cost of living payments are not disadvantaged when applying for legal aid. The payments which will be
New research has revealed just shy of one in six people in Britain have suffered economic or financial abuse at the hands of their partner. Aviva’s study found 40% of Brits are victims of such
The government has announced it will commit up to £18 million per year over two years towards the next phase of the Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Intervention Fund, totalling £36 million. Police and crime commissioners (PCCs)
Legislation banning conversion therapy has been announced by Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan following cross-party support for the move. Attempts to change a person’s gender or sexuality will be outlawed in all cases – not just
Metropolitan Police officer David Carrick has pleaded guilty to a total of 49 offences against 12 women over an 18-year period. His offences include 24 counts of rape and multiple counts of sexual assault against
A new campaign has been launched aiming to keep children safe by having adults undertake 10-minute training on spotting and reporting abuse. The campaign, led by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) has completed its acquisition of the Institute of Paralegals (IoP) and its voluntary regulator the Professional Paralegals Register (PPR), the former announced on Monday morning. CILEX said the
Knights Plc has announced the acquisition of historic Bristol firm Meade King marking its first foray into the Bristol market. Tracing its origins to 1790, Meade King is an independent law firm serving Bristol and
Brindley Twist Tafft & James (BTTJ) is continuing the expansion of its Balsall Common office with the recruitment of family solicitor Natasha Abel to its team. Qualified since 2003, but with prior practical experience, Natasha
Thames Valley and City law firm, B P Collins LLP, has announced the appointment of its new partner, Laura Mortimer, who starts in the firm’s family team. Laura joins from an Oxford law firm where
The government has launched a consultation seeking views on its plan for the UK to become a Contracting State to Hague 2019 by ratifying it and implementing it into domestic law. Hague 2019 sets out
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced a review into the civil legal aid market in an effort to move to a “more effective, more efficient, and more sustainable system” – but changes likely remain
A new report has found police officers’ response to sexual abuse sometimes fails to recognise the potential risk of honour-based abuse for victims. The report was published in response to a police super-complaint filed by