Four-year anniversary of the Women in Law Pledge
This week marks four-years since the Women in Law Pledge was launched to bring gender equality to the forefront of the conversation, as announced by The Law Society of England and Wales. Last year saw the celebration of 100 years since the admission of the first woman solicitor in England and Wales. In 2022, 53% […]
Cohabitation reform: MPs call on government to rethink response to landmark report
The government has been urged to rethink its response to – and, in many cases, rejection of – the cohabitation law reform proposals put forward by the Women and Equalities Committee last year. The report highlighted the lack of legal protection afforded to cohabiting couples, with Resolution describing their position as one of “legal limbo”. Key […]
Report reveals concern over ‘cowboys’ providing unregulated legal services
A new report has revealed both regulated and unregulated legal services providers are concerned over the “cowboys” providing lower quality legal services with lower standards and no regulation. The report, commissioned by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and undertaken by Frontier Economics, The DataCity, and BMG Research, set out to better understand the unregulated legal […]
In conversation with Resolution’s newest National Committee members
Today’s Family Lawyer recently sat down with the three newest members of Resolution’s National Committee following their election last month to discuss what they’re setting out to achieve. Here’s what they had to say. What does it mean to you to have been elected to the Resolution National Committee? “It’s a real honour and a […]
Half of law firms expecting to grow in 2023
LexisNexis has released their latest Bellwether report which reveals that 46% of law firms are expecting to grow throughout tthe duration of this year. The report also revealed that whilst there is a desire for growth, the industry is less bullish than it was in 2021 when 66% predicted growth. 38% expect to remain stable. What’s […]
Family Law Reform Now: A collaborative push for change
This article was written by Dr. Charlotte Bendall (University of Birmingham) and Dr. Samantha Davey (University of Essex), on behalf of the Family Law Reform Now network. The Family Law Reform Now Network currently seeks practitioner engagement with one or more of our projects. Who are we? The Family Law Reform Now network was set up […]
Nagalro joins calls to end smacking of children in England
Nagalro has joined calls made by the NSPCC and Barnardo’s last March to end corporal punishment for children in England. Nagalro – the professional association for children’s guardians, family court advisers, and independent social workers – pointed out that the devolved governments in Scotland and Wales have already changed their laws so that all children […]
#LegalPride2023: Solicitors in the spotlight
Newly released data unveiled for Pride highlights the experiences of Lesbian Gay and Bisexual (LGB) solicitors, with 80% feeling supported by their peers and 78% feeling that the work they do is meaningful. The Law Society’s 2022 Practising Certificate (PC) Holder Survey reveals the workplace culture faced by LGB solicitors. Seven in 10 (69%) of […]
Legal aid: Access to advice extended for millions
Access to legal aid has been extended to millions more people with barriers reduced for vulnerable groups including domestic abuse victims and children, the Ministry of Justice has announced. This comes following the conclusion of the government’s review of the means testing for civil and criminal legal aid. As a result, over six million more […]
NFJO study shines light on inequalities in children’s social care
The Nuffield Family Justice Observatory (NFJO) has published a new study painting a stark picture of the inequalities and disparities that exist across ethnic groups in the family justice system. The NFJO’s data provides an overview of differences in the demographic characteristics of children from different ethnic groups in care proceedings the legal outcomes for […]
Today’s Family Lawyer set to host conference on surrogacy reform
Please note: with train strikes having affected the previous date for the conference (31st May), Today’s Family Lawyer has taken the difficult decision to change the date to the 19th June 2023. Today’s Family Lawyer is pleased to confirm details of its upcoming conference in London focusing on the proposed reforms to surrogacy laws in […]
Barbara Mills KC elected as Bar Council Vice Chair
The Bar Council has confirmed Barbara Mills KC has been elected as its Vice Chair for 2024. In doing so, Mills becomes the first specialist family practitioner in 35 years to take up the role and the first Black person and first person of colour to assume the office. Barbara was called to the Bar […]
Child sexual abuse redress scheme to be established
A redress scheme for survivors of child sexual abuse will be launched in England, recognising the trauma victims have suffered, the government announced this week. To be set up on the back of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), the scheme will acknowledge the institutional failures that allowed children to suffer at the […]
Supporting Separating Couples Consultation a ‘moment in time’
The “Supporting earlier resolution of private family law arrangements” consultation launched by the Government in May is “a moment in time” when the government are engaged in the discussion which won’t come round again warns Sir Andrew MacFarlane. In his keynote speech addressing the Resolution Conference on Friday 19th May MacFarlane spoke to delegates of […]
Talbots Law moves into Coventry with Sarginsons Law acquisition
Talbots Law has announced the acquisition of Sarginsons Law having seen fees accelerate to £22m in 2022 and will retain all of the company’s 20 legal professionals. This includes Managing Partner Ian Cox, Finance Partner Lynne Robson and Partners Chris Bailey and Simon Booth. Plans are already in place to invest in the refurbishment of […]
Mental Health Awareness Week: LawCare is getting the legal community talking about anxiety
Anxiety is the theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) and LawCare, the legal mental health and wellbeing charity, are highlighting the prevalence of anxiety in the legal community. Anxiety is one of the top three reasons people working in the law reached out to LawCare for support in 2022. LawCare’s Life in […]
Home Office announces plans for mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse
The Home Office has announced plans to legally require those who work with children to report child sexual abuse. This comes after the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) heard testimony from thousands of victims who were “let down by professionals turning a blind eye to their suffering”, said the Home Office. Mandatory reporting […]
Government announces multi-million-pound investment into legaltech
The Ministry of Justice has announced £3 million of investment aiming to “turbocharge” the development and use of technology in the legal sector. CodeBase and Legal Geek will receive the funding as new providers of the government-backed LawtechUK programme. CodeBase is one of the country’s largest incubators which has helped hundreds of start-ups grow and […]
The Ombudsman’s Corner: March 2023
I recently attended a conference at which I had an interesting conversation with a legal insurance broker, who told me that cyber insurance remains one of the most popular insurance policies with legal providers – a policy which covers lawyers from losses arising from loss of data and damages to systems following cybercrime attacks. This […]
Matrimonial Causes Act 1973: ‘Hopelessly out of date’ law set for review
The asset-splitting provisions within the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 are set to be reviewed by the Law Commission having been described as “hopelessly out of date” by one peer and former family lawyer. The timing of the review has also been described as “opportune” by justice minister Lord Bellamy with the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 […]