AI to identify complex stalking behaviours at an early stage
A £300,000 grant will support the efforts of Cheshire Police to invest in artificial intelligence to build capability to identify complex stalking behaviours at an early stage. The grant, submitted by , has been awarded by the Police STAR (Science, Technology, Analysis and Research) Fund and will be used to build the capability to analyse […]
Marketeers ‘present’ but not ‘leading’ law firm business development strategy
Law firms continue to invest in marketing and business development activity, but the evidence suggests only one in five firms involve their marketing teams in actively driving the strategic growth of the organisation. An overall increase in the numbers of staff involved in marketing and business development is heavily weighted toward larger firms, and growth among […]
VAWG rights groups raise concerns over ‘landmark’ sentencing reforms
Sentencing reforms announced in the last week in the wake of the review by former Justice Secretary David Gauke, have been described as ‘landmark’ by the government but those campaigning for the rights of those impacted by domestic abuse and sexual violence are concerned the reforms don’t provide adequate protection for survivors. Recommendations for a […]
1 in 4 experience domestic abuse as ONS better captures the experience of victims
It is estimated one in four adults have experienced some form of domestic abuse since the age of 16, an increase from previous figures which estimated the number was closet o one in five, after the the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said it had ‘improved’ the way it collected data on victims of domestic […]
Communication is key when dealing with delays, says Legal Ombudsman in new guidance
The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) has set out its expectations for service providers when dealing with third-party delays, which stress the importance of effective communication. The LeO says almost half of the complaints it receives are about communication and delays, with a ‘common feature’ being whether the delay could have been caused or influenced by a […]
NAO gives damning verdict of family courts as 4000 children still in proceedings 2 years on
The lack of a joined up approach to family law proceedings is part of a wider issue of accountability within the courts service which is causing harm to families and costing millions according to a damning report by the National Audit Office (NAO) into family courts. With responsibility for family justice shared between the Ministry […]
Consultant model ‘a fundamental part of the UK legal fabric’
Alternative legal platform providers, otherwise known as consultant-model law firms, continue to demonstrate ‘importance that lawyers are placing on autonomy, work-life balance, and the ability to build a practice supported by strong infrastructure’ say the authors of a report into the size and structure of the market. The sector hit over 4,000 practitioners last year, […]
Guidance on the use of covert recordings in family proceedings published
Guidance on the use of and admissibility of recording secretly made to provide evidence for family law proceedings has been published by the Family Justice Council; recognising the sparsity of advice in this complex area of law. Covert recordings in Family Law proceedings concerning children: Family Justice Council Guidance’, follows an increased use of covert […]
Largest deal to date see PE-backed group grow to £130m
Private-equity backed Lawfront have announced the acquisition of Southern-based Trethowans taking the total fee income for the group to over £130m. The thirteenth acquisition is part of the group’s strategy to acquire large regional firms with ‘strong’ brands in their localities. In recent months Lawfront have added south-east focused Brachers LLP, North West-based Farleys, and […]
Surrogacy reform won’t go ahead as government focus on other “key priorities”
It has been confirmed the government will not take forward a any proposed bill to introduce reform to surrogacy law in a blow for campaigners keen to update the current outdated legislation. Despite what appeared to be momentum after The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed minister Baroness Merron met with the Law Commission […]
Guidance published for IDVAs and ISVAs
New guidance for the role of Independent Domestic Violence Advisers (IDVAs) and updated guidance for Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs) has been published to provide consistency of support for victims say the government. The guidance has been produced in line with the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 Section 16 (1) which provides a duty on […]
SRA seeks 23% budget increase to tackle ‘shifting risks’
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is seeking views on its new draft business plan, which it says will require a 23% budget increase in response to a legal market that is ‘changing rapidly’. The final year of work outlined in the SRA’s corporate strategy for 2023-2026 will address ‘shifting risks’, including large firm failures, the consumer […]
Public Accounts Committee call for written evidence into improving family court services for children
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has identified family law children’s cases as an area of inspection in its next round of inquiries announced this week, drawing on the work of the National Audit Office (NAO), whose report into improving family court services for children is expected to be published shortly. The NAO’s report considers the […]
Justice Secretary defends Supreme Court ruling defining ‘woman’ by biological sex
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has said it is “absolutely unacceptable” to question the legitimacy of the UK Supreme Court, following its recent ruling that the word “woman” in the Equality Act 2010 refers specifically to biological sex. Speaking to Parliament’s Human Rights Joint Committee, Mahmood stated the court had “provided the legal clarity in their […]
Today’s Family Lawyer partners with Nova Engage
Today’s Family Lawyer has announced a new partnership with Nova Engage, the AI platform developed by Nova Law, designed specifically to support regulated family law specialists in England and Wales. Nova Engage was created by family lawyers, for family lawyers, and provides a powerful client engagement and workflow tool that streamlines early-stage client interaction – […]
Thousands of children facing domestic abuse alone as support services risk financial collapse
Domestic Abuse Commissioner warns that the government’s commitment to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) is at risk without urgent funding for specialist domestic abuse services. Over a quarter of domestic abuse services (27%) surveyed in England and Wales are having to turn children away from vital support amid severe funding shortages, new research […]
Scam warning as firm targeted with fake reviews
Scammers have targeted a conveyancing firm and posted fake one-star reviews after the founder refused to provide sensitive and personal information. Rose Davis, founder and Director at Davis & Co Property Lawyers, has warned firms of the scam which sees scammers post fake one-star reviews, and leave scathing comments, after she refused to share her […]
‘Romeo and Juliet’ clause added to child abuse reporting bill to avoid ‘unintended consequences’
A new “Romeo and Juliet” clause has been introduced into the Crime and Policing Bill, which sets out a legal requirement for professionals such as teachers and GPs to report concerns about child sexual abuse – or face potential criminal charges. The move follows one of the 20 recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child […]
High Court Judgment in Safety Valve Legal Challenge
The High Court handed down its judgment in the case of The King v Bristol City Council and Devon County Council, dismissing a legal challenge brought by families against the Safety Valve Agreement between Bristol City Council and Devon County Council. The case centred on the concern that measures introduced under the Safety Valve Agreement—aimed […]
UK government confirms no plans to ban international surrogacy travel
In response to growing concerns around paid surrogacy arrangements in economically disadvantaged countries, the UK Government has clarified its position, confirming that it does not intend to ban individuals from travelling abroad to pursue surrogacy. The question was raised in the House of Lords by Baroness Manzoor, a Conservative peer, who asked whether the Government […]