Holiday season – courts and tribunals opening times 2023
HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) have provided the details of what the courts and tribunals opening times are going to be over the Christmas and New Year bank holidays. Courts and tribunals will temporarily close on various dates over the Christmas period. The closure dates for Christmas 2023 and New Year 2024 are: Monday […]
British Family Law Awards 2024 – Judges Announced
The anticipation and excitement for the first British Family Law Awards 2024 have reached new heights with entries now closed and the announcement of the esteemed independent panel of judges. This year’s panel comprises of twelve highly respected individuals, each bringing a unique perspective and wealth of knowledge to the evaluation process. Their combined expertise […]
Consultation outcome – Child and family social worker workforce
The consultation responses have been collated and next steps have been outlined following the recent consultation on the child and family social worker workforce. The initial consultation which ran from 2nd February 2023 to 11th May 2023 requested views on proposals to introduce national rules on the use of agency child and family social workers […]
Law Society says, ‘King’s Speech falls short on Justice Reforms’
Following the King’s Speech yesterday, the Law Society of England and Wales has responded to the legislation that was outlined and noting their disappointment that more hasn’t been done to invest in the justice system. Nick Emmerson, President of the Law Society of England and Wales, said: “We are disappointed the government chose not to […]
Pro Bono Week 2023
Lawyers who help change lives through volunteering free legal help take centre stage at this year’s Pro Bono Week (6th-10th November). The 22nd annual celebration recognises the outstanding voluntary contribution made by the legal profession across the UK to provide legal advice for those who could not otherwise afford it and who do not qualify […]
Refuge outlines risks of technology-facilitated abuse as AI Safety Summit begins
As the global AI Safety Summit 2023 begins in Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire, Refuge Research Lead, Dr Michaela Bruckmayer outlines concerns for the safety of women and girls as technology is weaponised as a tool for domestic abuse. Last week, the Online Safety Act received Royal Assent, heralding a new era of internet safety and choice […]
IVF law change to benefit couples with fertility issues
Hundreds of couples hoping to become parents but going through the distress of fertility issues will have their chances improved, as the government announces two significant law changes to IVF provision in the UK. Currently, female same-sex couples hoping to conceive via reciprocal IVF must first go through screening for infectious diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C […]
Government continues children’s social care reform
Recognising the vital role social workers play in supporting some of the most vulnerable children and families, local authorities will be allocated a share of £11.7 million to hire up to 461 extra social work apprentices, as part of government plans to build a social worker workforce fit for the future. The extra funding will […]
Rising trend in ‘honour-based’ abuse offences sparks concerns, research reveals
In the year ending March 2023, the United Kingdom has witnessed a concerning upward trend in the number of police-recorded ‘honour-based’ abuse (HBA) offences. The data, collected by the Home Office from police forces in England and Wales on a mandatory basis since April 2019, showcases a slight rise in HBA-related offences. In total, there […]
Northern Lights conference
The Northern Lights DR conference returns to Leeds on 10th November, with a line-up of speakers to educate and inform on topics ranging from divorcing a narcissist to honing your listening skills. The opening and closing sessions are both all-conference sessions, then people can choose between four workshops for the morning and afternoon sessions. Today’s […]
The Jordan Legacy’s petition – minimising suicides
The Jordan Legacy’s petition to government, requesting the introduction of a Suicide Prevention Act to minimise suicides, requires 100,000 signatures by 19th January 2024 if it is to be considered for debate in parliament. The Jordan Legacy was founded in 2020 in Jordan’s memory and because of Jordan’s strong desire to help those who needed […]
15 years of the FDAC
This week marks 15 years of the Family Drug and Alcohol Courts (FDAC) and the president of the Family Division has expressed the need for them to be in every court. Sir Andrew McFarlane (president of the Family Division) has spoken at the Centre for Justice Innovation event, informing ministers and others present of the […]
Labour proposes reform to Cohabitation Laws
The recent Labour Party Conference sees proposals made surrounding reform to cohabitation laws. Emily Thornberry MP, the Shadow Attorney General, announced at the Labour Party Conference that a Labour government would create reform around cohabitation laws in the UK. In order to support the fastest growing family type and offer couples “proper” protection. Emily Thornberry […]
Baby-loss awareness training for law firms – free-to-access training
A free-to-access baby-loss awareness training programme has been launched to help law firms gain a deeper understanding of how to effectively support their employees and co-workers who have experienced the loss of a baby. The training will contribute to fostering an environment that is open, inclusive, and supportive for those affected by baby loss and […]
Black History Month: Legal profession celebrates influential Black women lawyers
Solicitors in England and Wales will celebrate Black History Month by embracing the “Saluting our Sisters” theme, which highlights the role Black women have had in shaping history, inspiring change and building communities, says The Law Society. Law Society of England and Wales President Lubna Shuja said that she is delighted to celebrate Black History […]
Today’s Family Lawyer Conference 2023: Private family law update
Collaboration, mediation and parental alienation were among key topics of conversation as family lawyers came together at the Today’s Family Lawyer Private Law conference hosted in Manchester on 27th October. Opening proceedings a panel of practitioners discussed their experience of “One Lawyer, One Couple.” Alison Bull (Mills & Reeve), Henry Wood (Hunters LLP), Tom Nash (Mr […]
A 12-step guide to law firm competitor analysis
Keeping an eye on your law firm’s rivals: A 12-step guide to law firm competitor analysis Does your firm keep a beady eye on what competitors are doing? While some law firms aspire to be trailblazers, they do so with a blind eye to the strategies of their counterparts. Competitor analysis is the compass that […]
Family court sees return of ‘pandemic’ prioritisation protocol
An increasing number of private law family applications will see the return of the ‘pandemic’ prioritisation protocol, which was used in London courts in an attempt to reduce filing times. Cafcass, when ordered by the London courts to assess the safety and welfare of children and subsequently advise the court on the best interests in […]
Court delays and the impact on family practitioners
The Today’s Family Lawyer podcast welcomes Natasha Grande, Head of Family at Wilsons Solicitors LLP, to discuss the impact of court delays on the day-to-day running of a busy family law practice with host David Opie. Natasha explains that for most clients the two most important questions are how long is my matter going to […]
South West family lawyer frustrated that honour-based abuse still without legal definition
The Director at The Family Law Company has responded to the recent government declination to establish a legal definition for honour-based abuse and has described it as “hugely disappointing”. The rejection comes after the Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) made a series of recommendations in July, stating that such abuse remains a hidden crime and […]