Manchester-based Maguire Family Law, a firm specialising in high-net-worth and international family law cases, has expanded its Manchester office team with the appointment of solicitor Ruth Wynn, following a record year of growth. The firm
Recently published Home Office data revealed police forces across England and Wales recorded 38,685 child sexual abuse image offences last year (2023/24), an average of more than 100 every day. A separate Freedom of Information
A YouGov poll commissioned by law firm Kingsley Napley shows that a majority of the UK public (55%) think pre- and post- nuptial agreements are a good idea in principle, whilst 60% support the idea
The latest Childline research has revealed that boys are more than twice as likely as girls to receive help and advice from the service for worries about ‘sextortion’. Sextortion is a form of online blackmail
The Family Court ordered extra financial support for children from 268 unmarried parents in the year to December 2022, said TWM Solicitors. Under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989, unmarried parents can be required
A judge has cautioned women against using unregulated sperm donors after an American man, Robert Charles Albon, attempted to claim parental rights over a child to strengthen his bid for British residency, as reported by
The Law Society of England and Wales has responded to the Legal Services Board’s (LSB) consultation on guidance for the new regulatory objective of ‘promoting the prevention and detection of economic crime’ under the Economic
The Law Society of England and Wales has warned against the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) proposal to move away from client accounts to third-party managed accounts. This forms part of the Law Society’s response to
One in 10 (11%) couples who divorce after the age of 50 use money from their property (e.g. from the sale of a family home or equity release) to fund the cost of their divorce,
The growing needs of ‘non-traditional’ families has prompted law firm Birketts to launch a Modern Families service to provide legal advice beyond the realms of conventional family law. Birketts will serve the needs of a
Gen Z are embracing traditional milestones like getting married and having children more than older generations before them, according to new research. A new study from international law firm Charles Russell Speechlys, which sought the
Award-winning team with over seventy family law barristers practising across the UK holds third annual Private Law Children and Financial Remedies Conference 3PB is a highly respected family law chambers, with specialist family barristers advising
A local authority cannot consent to the deprivation of a child’s liberty under its statutory duties, the Court of Appeal ruled. The Court of Appeal heard submissions on behalf of the parties in respect of
A cross-party group of MPs is urging the government to confirm its plans for cohabitation reform, following a 2024 manifesto pledge to strengthen legal protections for women in cohabiting relationships, as reported by The Law
Labour has put plans to simplify the legal process for gender recognition on hold, The Times has learned, as the party shifts focus in response to Reform UK’s rising popularity. During last summer’s election, Labour
Children will be protected from the growing threat of predators generating AI images and from online sexual abuse as the UK becomes the first country in the world to create new AI sexual abuse offences.
A High Court judge has ordered a husband to pay £750,000 towards his wife’s legal costs but cautioned against any excessive or disproportionate spending. Deputy High Court Judge Nicholas Allen KC, presiding in SM v
The Ministry of Justice has released its consultation outcome on Open Justice, following a comprehensive Call for Evidence conducted between May and September 2023. The initiative sought insights from legal professionals, the judiciary, media representatives,
In the latest Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast host David Opie discusses the role of intermediaries in the justice system with Lucy Osmond, Lead Practitioner at Communicourt. With over a decade of experience in facilitated communication,
An additional court structure is not the answer to the backlog crisis, the Law Society of England and Wales has warned. The Law Society’s submission to the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts sets out
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has flexed its regulatory muscles with a series of fines levied on firms and individuals for failure to comply with money laundering regulations. Fines totalling over £66,000 have been levied
Mental health and wellbeing charity LawCare says it experienced a 13% increase in support requests last year compared to 2023, with 2024’s number its highest on record. Stress and anxiety (39%) were the most common
The Legal Services Board (LSB) is consulting on the content of its business plan and budget for 2025/26, highlighting five key priorities for the super-regulator. In its final board meeting on 2024 it reaffirmed its
A new intelligence-led national policing centre will put the experiences of victims of child sexual abuse, rape and sexual offences, domestic abuse and stalking at the heart of police investigations – backed by more than
The £12.5 million funding boost comes as new figures published show the Pathfinder scheme is resolving cases faster, with family court backlogs reduced by half in pilot areas. The Pathfinder pilot works by bringing together
Offenders convicted of controlling or coercive behaviour, and sentenced to 12 months or longer, will now be automatically managed under multi-agency public protection arrangements. This means agencies are legally required to cooperate to better manage
The UK government has announced four new laws aimed at tackling the growing threat of AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM), as recently reported by The BBC. The Home Office says the UK will be
The National Police Chiefs’ Council reported that, in 2022-23, 20% of all police-recorded crime was related to violence against women and girls. Violence against women and girls can have long-term impacts on victims, affecting them
The Government is delivering on recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) to make it easier for victims to gain an apology and to pursue claims in the civil court. The three-year
Lawfront announces that Brachers has joined the fast-growing legal services group, a development bringing another client and growth focused firm into the Group and taking revenue to over £100m. Brachers is a firm in the
Over one million adults a year experience sexual violence, yet many are not aware of the free help available through the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support line. A dedicated awareness campaign, that has been
The Health Secretary is facing legal action to force a ban on controversial sex change drugs for children, aligning with the existing prohibition on puberty blockers, as reported by The Telegraph. Lawyers representing individuals who
The Family Justice Council (FJC) has published guidance for legal practitioners working with neurodivergent users of the Family Justice System. The guidance can be found on the Neurodiversity in the Family Justice System guidance page.
The Victims’ Code sets out in clear and simple language what victims can expect from the criminal justice system, including the level of support they are entitled to. Research shows that while young adults are
Enable Law, medical negligence, personal injury and mental capacity law firm, has announced the appointment of Annabelle Vaughan as the new head of its specialist mental capacity team. Annabelle will lead Enable Law’s fast-growing 41-strong
Family Mediation Week 2025 runs from Monday 27th to Friday 31st January, 2025 Couples who have decided to separate or divorce are being urged to find out how to avoid courtroom confrontation to settle money