HMCTS Podcast – Neurodiversity and remote hearings
In their latest podcast episode, HMCTS have focused on an important and timely topic – making courts and tribunals more accessible for neurodivergent people. Neurodiversity, expresses the diverse ways people think, interpret, and process information, and it is at the forefront of our efforts to ensure justice is accessible to everyone. Today’s Family Lawyer recently […]
Family Mediation Week 2024
Family Mediation Week is taking place between the 22nd and 26th January 2024. What do we know about mediation? The strongest predictor of the divorcing couples using mediation was having used a lawyer: ‘28 per cent of those using a lawyer tried mediation, compared with just 11 per cent of those who had not.’ Fair […]
British Family Law Awards Host Announcement
Today’s Family Lawyer is pleased to announce the host of the British Family Law Awards 2024. Joanna Gosling will be hosting our British Family Law Awards on Thursday 25th January 2024, in Bristol. It isn’t too late to purchase your ticket and come along. We at Today’s Family Lawyer are so excited to have Joanna […]
Today’s Training 2024
Today’s Training has a vast array of training webinars and courses lined up for 2024 and we at Today’s Conveyancer thought we would highlight a few that you might enjoy, as well as some your colleagues might as well. Don’t forget that Today’s Training has training sessions covering our three publications, Today’s Conveyancer, Today’s Wills […]
Charity leads cross-sector call to plug ‘glaring gaps’ in family legal aid when children are deprived of their liberty
87 organisations and practitioners from across the child welfare and family justice systems are uniting in a call to the Ministry of Justice to urgently plug the gaps in legal support available for families where children are deprived of their liberty. The campaign, led by specialist child welfare charity, Family Rights Group, is calling on […]
‘It’s a real privilege’: Shabana Jaffar on new role as Head of Cafcass Legal
Shabana discusses her recent appointment to the role and shares opportunities to join her team at the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass). Aside from a handful of regular meetings and a few cups of tea, there is no typical workday for Cafcass’ newly appointed Head of Legal, Shabana Jaffar. Thankfully, the […]
106% increase in child cruelty and neglect offences in England in the past 5 years
New data shows recorded offences of adults neglecting, mistreating, or assaulting children have doubled over the last 5 years, according to the NSPCC. The NSPCC are concerned that the number of child cruelty offences is increasing steadily year on year. Their analysis of Freedom of Information data from police forces in England has found there […]
A year in review: Celebrating milestones and impactful stories
As the curtain falls on another eventful year, we pause to appreciate the milestones we’ve achieved and the compelling stories we’ve brought to our readers. Your unwavering support has been the cornerstone of our success, and we eagerly anticipate continuing to offer you the most relevant and reliable news. This year has been remarkable for […]
LSB consults on 2024/25 business plan
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has asked for views on its proposed business plan and budget for the 2024/25 year to ensure it remains focused on “delivering a legal services market that better meets society’s needs.” To achieve this it has outlined a 13.9% increase on last year’s budget of £4.7m, to £5.3m, a real […]
More lawyers sought to stop domestic abusers interrogating victims
Hundreds of lawyers signed up to be Qualified Legal Representatives after the landmark Domestic Abuse Act banned abusers from interrogating their victims in family and civil courts. Cross-examination is, instead, carried out by these court-appointed legal professionals, to ensure that justice is done fairly for both sides and reduce the risk of victims being retraumatised. […]
Friendly divorces now almost as common as hostile separations, survey reveals
A new survey has revealed that the amount of friendly or amicable divorces is almost as common as the number of hostile divorces – which specialist lawyers say is due to the introduction of several measures including no fault divorce, mediation vouchers and the rise in friendly celebrity splits. The YouGov poll of 1003 adult […]
UK invests in global grassroot efforts to tackle gender-based violence
The UK is investing in grassroots women’s rights organisations on the frontline of tackling violence against women and girls around the world. Development Minister Andrew Mitchell is announcing the new support at an event in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office on Tuesday 28 November, as Lord Ahmad visits Colombia to meet survivors and see […]
Further cuts to compound justice crisis, Law Society warns
Further budget cuts will severely impact the already crisis-hit justice system, the Law Society of England and Wales has warned. The Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) analysis of the Autumn Statement suggests the Ministry of Justice faces multi-million-pound cuts. Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “The justice system is crying out for investment and the […]
British Family Law Awards 2024 shortlist revealed and tickets released
The shortlist for the very first British Family Law Awards has been exclusively revealed this morning with firms up and down the country recognised for the excellence in service, expertise and skill. Tickets are now available for the glitzy ceremony which will be hosted at the Bristol Harbour Hotel on 25th January 2024. The British […]
Open consultation: Murder sentencing
The Ministry of Justice is seeking views on the sentencing starting point for murders preceded by controlling or coercive behaviour against the murder victim and all murders committed with a knife or other weapon. The government has already introduced legislation to give domestic murders specialist consideration in the sentencing framework. These measures were announced earlier […]
Autumn Statement: Domestic Abuse Commissioner welcomes £12m funding boost
The Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Nicole Jacobs, has welcomed the £12 million funding boost but states that we must see “more sustainable funding” for lifesaving services for victims’ safety and wellbeing. Jacobs said that domestic abuse has a significant personal cost to victims and an economic cost to society of at least £74bn in a year. […]
‘Now is the time for change’ on fertility law, says HFEA
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has set out a range of recommendations to modernise the UK’s 33-year-old fertility law. The proposals made by the UK-wide regulator of fertility treatment and embryo research aim to ‘future-proof’ the law, so it better reflects the significant changes in the size and structure of the fertility sector, […]
Vision for the future of civil and family courts and tribunals
The Lord Chancellor and senior judiciary launch a shared vision for the future of the civil and family courts and tribunals system – from the Ministry of Justice, HM Courts & Tribunals Service, and The Rt Hon Alex Chalk KC MP. “People rely on our civil, family and tribunals justice system to protect and enforce their rights. […]
Government ignores calls for sex education targeted at boys to tackle harassment
The government’s refusal to commit to a new strategy in schools on issues of sexual harassment and gender-based violence, specifically aimed at engaging boys and young men, despite calls from the Women and Equalities Committee, raises concerns about addressing these critical issues effectively. The committee’s inquiry highlighted disparities in the current relationships, sex, and health […]
Domestic Abuse Commissioner welcomes child-centric focus
Following the government’s response to the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s report, The Family Court and domestic abuse: achieving cultural change, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner welcomes the child-centric focus in the Family Court, but states that greater ambition is needed. In July 2023, Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner published her report, The Family Court and domestic abuse: […]