LegalRunner launches to improve wellbeing through exercise
The incoming Vice President of The Law Society of England and Wales has launched a new initiative, which is set to form part of his own Presidential term, to encourage the legal profession to focus on improving their mental health and wellbeing through regular exercise. Mark Evans, who is a lecturer at the University of […]
Landmark legislation allows UK lawyers to practise in Greece
The Greek government has passed a new law through Greek parliament, enabling UK lawyers to practise in Greece under their home title. This significant development marks the culmination of more than three years of continuous efforts by the Law Society of England and Wales in close collaboration with UK government officials, law firms and the […]
Surge in legal gender change applications as Labour considers simplification reforms
A record number of individuals applied to legally change their gender last year, as the UK government weighs options to fulfil an election promise aimed at streamlining the process, as reported by The Times. Official data indicates that the Gender Recognition Panel, composed of doctors and lawyers who authorise such changes, received 1,397 applications in […]
Conference to cover gaslighting, domestic abuse, ToLATA disputes, cohabitation and more…
The Today’s Family Lawyer Private Law Conference returns to Manchester on 20th September 2024 and organisers Today’s Media can now reveal the line up of topics and speakers. Tickets for ‘Family Law Futures: Navigating Tomorrow’s Challenges Today’ are also available for £99 +VAT per person. With a mix of CPD/ continuing competence presentations alongside law […]
Ofsted: Council ‘still failing’ to support some children
Cheshire West and Chester Council has been urged to improve its care for homeless young people and children transitioning out of care, as reported by The BBC. Ofsted also flagged concerns over a small number of children being housed in unregistered and therefore “illegal” care homes. In its first inspection of the council’s children’s services […]
Gang members sentenced in sham marriage documents scam
Nigerian nationals Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi and Adekunle Kabir have been jailed for a total of 13 years after a hearing at Woolwich Crown Court. The court heard how, between March 2019 and May 2023, the defendants conspired to make fraudulent EU Settlement Scheme applications. They provided false Nigerian […]
Only one in five believes they can access justice, research reveals
Only one in five (21%) believes justice is accessible, warns the Law Society of England and Wales. This warning comes as research by the Law Society and the Legal Services Board reveals that the justice system is not open for all, as one in three (38%) with legal issues did not receive any help. One […]
Navigating the SRA AML Questionnaire: Key Insights for Law Firms
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has rolled out a new AML (Anti-Money Laundering) Questionnaire, and if you’re involved in managing compliance for a law firm, this is something you’ll want to pay close attention to. The questionnaire is designed to gather detailed information about your firm’s approach to AML, including your risk assessments, policies, and […]
Prenuptial agreements amid high-profile marriages and divorces sparks debate
Recent high-profile marriages and divorces have reignited conversations around the growing need for prenuptial agreements as an “increasingly important tool” for those looking to safeguard their pre-marital wealth ahead of entering into a marriage. A key example from Netflix’s Love is Blind UK has added fuel to the debate. Fans were shocked when contestant Freddie […]
New Victims’ Commissioner survey looks at impact of court delays on victims
New victim survey seeks to understand the impact of court waiting times — including delays caused by the Crown Court backlog — on victims across England and Wales. The Victims’ Commissioner, Baroness Newlove, has launched a new survey exploring the impact court waiting times have on victims across England and Wales and the services in […]
NSPCC calling on the UK government to improve support for reunited families
A lack of continued support for families when their children return home from care is costing hundreds of millions of pounds each year, according to new research that we commissioned. The study, Supporting Children and Families returning home from care: Counting the costs shows that £316 million is being spent each year on sending children […]
Refuge announces Nikita Kanda as Ambassador and a face of Refuge’s Summer Escape Appeal
BBC broadcaster Nikita Kanda has joined charity Refuge as an ambassador to shine a light on the charity’s life-saving work supporting survivors of domestic abuse and is one of the faces of Refuge’s Summer Escape Appeal. Nikita Kanda has hosted the prestigious Breakfast Show on BBC Asian Network since July 2022 and has won awards for […]
Multinational legal firm supported Women’s Aid and acted for Natwest bank as they see revenue hike
Multinational legal firm Pinsent Masons saw a significant increase in revenue this year alongside providing legal services for high profile UK businesses. Pinsent Masons, who have hundreds of Scotland based staff and have been led by Scottish managing partner Laura Cameron were reported in The Scotsman to have had a 7.2 per cent hike in […]
Law Society supports legal professionals who are targets of protestors as one firm closes after ‘threats of far right violence to staff’
The Law Society has continued it’s vocal support of solicitors in the midst of the UK riots after legal professionals and firms have become the target of threats, with one firm closing it’s doors after ‘threats of far right violence to staff’. Many firms in the country are reported to be on high alert as […]
East London law firm fined over £12,000 for anti-money laundering violations
An east London law firm, Symons Gay & Leland LLP, has been fined £12,636 for violating anti-money laundering regulations, as reported by The Law Society Gazette. The breaches occurred between June 2017 and July 2023, during which the Romford-based practice failed to meet the requirements of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds […]
Analysis from WHO shows a quarter of young women globally have experienced intimate partner violence by the time they are 20
Almost a quarter of girls globally will have experienced intimate partner violence by the time they turn 20 according to a new study published in the Lancet. The latest research into gendered violence in relationships has renewed calls for increased legislative protection for young women and female children, after alarming statistics have revealed that 19 […]
BAME women feel ‘gaslit and stereotyped’ when receiving maternity care
Today it was revealed that BAME women have felt ‘stereotyped and gaslit’ according to reports from several NHS trusts across the country. Analysis has shown a racial gap in maternity care, missing medical records and female patients feel they ‘are not being listened to’. Baroness Gohir stood in the House of Lords today to ask […]
Ex-BBC newsreader Huw Edwards pleads guilty to three counts of making indecent images
Former newsreader Huw Edwards has pleaded guilty in court to three counts of making indecent images of children. Those offences are separate from newspaper allegations last year that he paid a young person for explicit photos. Huw had a prolific career in news and worked for the BBC as a newsreader anchoring current affairs and […]
Woman loses appeal after ex-wife slept with sperm donor behind her back
An Australian woman has lost a Court of Appeal challenge after her name was removed from her child’s birth certificate following revelations that her ex-wife had sex with a sperm donor without her knowledge. In a custody battle between three adults lasting five years, a landmark ruling saw a male granted custody of a lesbian […]
Consultation on child maintenance to enable CMS ‘help to increase the number of children being kept out of poverty’
The Government has today extended a consultation on the Child Maintenance Service to ensure there is suitable time for feedback from external organisations. The consultation, launched in May of this year, is said to be a ‘chance to discuss ways the CMS can help to increase the number of children being kept out of poverty’. […]
