Influence the future of mental health in the legal sector
LawCare, the mental health charity for the legal sector, has launched its new “Life in the Law 2025” surveys and invites you to take part. There are two separate surveys: one for individuals in the legal sector, and another for organisations, such as law firms, chambers, and in-house legal departments. The surveys are anonymous and take approximately […]
CILEx Regulation sets out its priorities for delivering forward thinking evidenced-based legal regulation in 2025
In its 2025 Corporate Plan, launched today, CILEx Regulation Limited (CRL) sets out a bold programme of action to strengthen the regulation of legal executives and improve information to consumers. The key priorities deliver the first year of its 2025-2027 Corporate Strategy which was published in November 2024 and reflect widespread consultation with the profession, […]
Family Mediation Week 2025: Family law professionals invited to free webinars
People working in a range of family justice roles will be able to learn how family mediation can support them in their work, by attending a range of free one-hour webinars during Family Mediation Week 2025. From Monday 27 to Friday 31 January, lawyers, Cafcass officers, teachers, social workers, local authority officers and others working […]
2025 look ahead for the legal profession
Law Society of England and Wales looks at what 2025 holds for the legal sector as it celebrates its bicentenary. Richard Atkinson, president of the Law Society said: “2025 sees the Law Society celebrating 200 years of supporting and representing solicitors. The year also brings a host of new opportunities for the legal profession, with […]
Family Court transparency expanded: Journalists to report on cases
From early next year, journalists and legal bloggers will be granted broader access to report on family court cases in England and Wales. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has approved the permanent expansion of transparency measures, currently limited to pilot courts. Starting January 27, 2025, reporters will be able to request transparency orders in all […]
Investment ‘crucial’ to cut backlog and ensure timely justice is delivered – The Law Society
If the public is to get the fair, efficient and timely justice they deserve, there must be sustained investment in all parts of the crisis-hit criminal justice system, the Law Society of England and Wales has warned. Law Society president Richard Atkinson said that a review into reform of the criminal courts led by Sir […]
Courts reform to see quicker justice for victims and keeps streets safe
As newly released statistics show the Crown Court backlog has reached a record high, the review will look at what more can be done to make sure criminals have their day in court without delay. The review – led by Sir Brian Leveson – will consider the case for new “intermediate courts” where cases too […]
Family courts urged to prioritise domestic abuse allegations over parental alienation claims
In family court disputes in England and Wales, new guidance from the Family Justice Council advises giving greater weight to domestic abuse allegations than to claims of “parental alienation”. The recommendation aims to address common disputes arising in private law cases, where parents argue over child custody and visitation after separation. The advisory council’s report […]
Peers call for legal recognition of humanist weddings
The lack of legal recognition for humanist weddings in England and Wales has been criticised as discriminatory, with couples who do not want to marry in religious settings facing additional costs and inconvenience, peers in the House of Lords have said. Currently, couples who have a humanist wedding must also undertake a separate civil ceremony […]
Family law firm compensates client after failure to update her on divorce delay due to Legal Ombudsman investigation
A family law client was compensated after the The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) investigated a firm’s failure to communicate with her during her divorce proceedings – exampling the top complaint from consumers against family law firms. Poor communication, delays and progression failures are among the most common grievances cited by consumers using family law services. LeO […]
NSPCC seen a surge in concerns about children experiencing domestic abuse
The NSPCC Helpline fielded almost 4,000 contacts about concerns for children experiencing domestic abuse between April 2024 and September 2024. There has been a 19% increase about the issue compared to the same period last year. Coercive or controlling behaviour, emotional domestic abuse and post-separation domestic abuse were concerns repeatedly raised in contacts the adult […]
Legal sector grows by 50% in the last decade
The gross value added (GVA) from UK legal services is estimated to have increased by 50% in the last decade. According to the newly published Economic Value report by the Law Society of England and Wales, the gross value added from UK legal sector was £34.2 billion in 2022 (£22.8 billion in 2013). The growth […]
Solicitor warns of legal risks amid surge in AI-generated legal documents
New insights show that couples in the UK are using AI to create crucial legal documents such as prenuptial agreements and divorce settlements to remove legal fees and save money. Teresa Davidson, Head of Family Law at Winston Solicitors warns that this comes with huge risks, including major legal inaccuracies that could result in further […]
Refuge calls for VAWG sector to be exempt from National Insurance hikes during 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence
Following the announcement of National Insurance contribution rises for employers in last month’s budget, the country’s largest specialist domestic abuse service provider Refuge is urging the Government to exempt charities so the sector can continue its vital work in tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG). The call comes during16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based […]
Majority of family lawyers reject caps on spousal maintenance, survey reveals
A new survey from Charles Russell Speechlys, shows that the majority of family lawyers believe there should not be a maximum period for the term of spousal periodical payment orders (SPPOs) (often referred to as “spousal maintenance” or “alimony”). In a debate hosted by the law firm on 19th November between a number of esteemed […]
TikTok or TikNot? Should law firms invest in social media?
Newly released research suggests law firms are spending around a quarter of their marketing on social media advertising, despite nearly one in four partners dismissing it as a ‘waste of time.’ “TikTok or TikNot? Law firms in the social media age” is the 10th year legal marketing collective First4Lawyers have carried out its research into […]
Firm takes three-pronged approach to management
A Kent and London law firm has described how it is ‘rewriting the rule book’ by appointing three new managing partners to take the firm forward into 2025. Bromley-headquartered Thackray Williams will appoint three new managing partners when current Managing Partner Sean Sanders steps down in March 2025. Vikki Herbert, Anthony Macey and Emma Thompson […]
Number of children in care system in England remains ‘extremely high’
The number of children looked after (CLA) by local authorities in England remained stable at 83,630 as of March 31, 2024, showing a slight decrease of less than 0.5% compared to the previous year. This equates to a consistent rate of 70 children per 10,000 in the population. While the number of children starting care […]
Law Society hits back at client money consultation
The Law Society of England and Wales has hit back at the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s consultation on the future of law firms holding client. ‘Client money in legal services – safeguarding consumers and providing redress’ was published on Thursday 14th November 2024 to address what the SRA described a sharp rise in the ‘number and […]
SRA sounds warning on client account interest income
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has sounded a warning to firms reliant on client account interest income with a consultation to be launched next week which may result in reform of accounts rules and changes to the compensation fund. SRA Chair Anna Bradley has indicated reform to tighten the rules on client account interest and […]
