Optimising Financial Operations: Strategies for Large Firms
The dynamic nature of the legal industry presents enterprise law firms with distinct challenges in managing their financial operations effectively. From complex billing structures to stringent regulatory requirements, navigating the intricacies of financial management requires strategic foresight and innovative solutions. In this blog post, we’ll explore key strategies that large law firms can implement to […]
Family law update – changes to Family Procedure Rules strengthening non-court dispute resolution
As of April 29, 2024, significant amendments to the Family Procedure Rules (FPR) will enhance the approach to non-court dispute resolution in family law matters. These changes mark a pivotal shift towards encouraging parties to seek alternative methods for resolving disputes outside of traditional court proceedings. What are the Family Procedural Rules (FPR)? The Family […]
The importance of performance management over appraisals
Hamza Hafesji, Group Product Manager at Advanced Legal, joins the latest Today’s Conveyancer podcast to discuss the importance of implementing a culture of performance management in a business. For years the only time most employees receive any sort of constructive feedback has been in an annual appraisal. For Hamza, something has to fundamentally change and […]
Factors influencing organisations’ decisions to bring cases to the civil and family courts
A report summarising the findings of a qualitative study on the factors influencing organisations’ decisions to bring cases to the civil and family courts. The Ministry of Justice commissioned Ipsos UK to conduct a qualitative research study with organisations (including solicitors and commercial organisations) that bring cases to the civil and family court. It explores […]
High profile firm support lawyer after online divorce mistake
A high profile law firm have pledged to support their employee after they filed an online divorce order for the wrong client. Vardags, based in London, has seen an outpouring of sympathy on social media, with many empathising with the mistake. The young lawyer who made the slip had clicked on the wrong client through […]
Paedophiles could be stripped of parental rights after mother spent £30K to protect young daughter
A new UK law could mean that convicted paedophiles who are parents could be stripped of their rights to see their own children. The proposed law change came after the BBC reported that a mother spent £30,000 in legal fees to stop her paedophile ex-husband seeing their daughter. Last November, Cardiff Family Court ruled in […]
The ‘Pathfinder’ Court for children – a hindrance or opportunity?
Private Family practitioners will be aware of how topical the new ‘Pathfinder’ Court is as an alternative process to the existing Children Act proceedings timetable. This is following successful pilots in North Wales and Dorset. Pathfinder consolidates the existing structure and aims to deal with cases in under six months. Concerns raised include the delay […]
Divorce in decline – marital bliss or a harsher reality?
Earlier this year it emerged that divorces have hit their lowest level since 1971, when the Divorce Reform Act came into being. Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show there were 80,057 divorces granted in England and Wales in 2022, marking a decrease of almost 30 per cent on 2021. The implementation […]
Coercive and Controlling Behaviour – Where Are We?
As an experienced family lawyer, I have seen a noticeable increase in clients who come to see me who are suffering from domestic abuse, specifically coercive control, over the past few years. Coercive control is a form of abuse that is often hard to detect initially: The perpetrator slowly drills away at an individual’s self-esteem, […]
Celebrating 10 years of same-sex marriage
Ten years ago, on 29 March 2014, Peter McGraith and David Cabreza became the first same-sex couple to get married in England & Wales. This was following the introduction of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, which put marriage equality for the LGBTQ+ community on our statute books for the first time. The movement […]
Empowering neurodivergent individuals in the family law system
Family law proceedings can be daunting for anyone, but for neurodivergent individuals, the legal landscape can seem particularly challenging. This blog will explore the practical ways neurodivergent individuals can be supported in family proceedings to enable them to engage effectively and give their best evidence. From early identification of neurodiversity, third-party support, and court instructions […]
What clients want…
This latest podcast from Today’s Family Lawyer explores the perennial question on the minds and lips of most businesses… what do clients really want? A report from Law Firm Marketing Club does just that. Now in it’s 4th year, “What Clients Want” is an extensive piece of research which asks consumers of legal services what […]
Ofsted report of Court advisory ‘outstanding’
Ofsted has published it’s full report of the full inspection of independent court advisory service Cafcass which took place earlier this year, and has judged all three areas of inspection to be ‘outstanding’- a marked improvement since their last inspection in 2018 where they were judged to be ‘Good’. Inspectors evaluated a range of […]
Information Commissioner’s Office sets out priorities to protect children’s privacy online
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is calling on social media and video-sharing platforms to improve their data protection practices so children are safer when using their services. This comes as the regulator sets out its 2024-2025 priorities for protecting children’s personal information online. Since the introduction of its Children’s code of practice in 2021, the […]
Guest Post: Are Paralegals striving only toward becoming solicitors?
By Amanda Hamilton, Patron of the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP) Working as a paralegal offers invaluable opportunities to hone practical skills essential for a career in law, and for many, this is the path they take to becoming a solicitor. Paralegals play a vital role in law firms, providing essential support to solicitors […]
A day in the life as a family lawyer
Today is Monday, well its actually Tuesday as we’ve just had the Easter bank holiday but feels like Monday and now my whole week will be out of sync, with the added benefit that I have a whole week of work to fit into four days! I open the emails… the first task is to […]
Bridging Communication Gaps: The Crucial Role of Intermediaries in Family Court Proceedings
Introduction Family court proceedings can be emotionally charged, complex and challenging especially when delicate issues like with whom a child will live, or complex family dynamics, are involved. Recognising the need for effective communication and fair representation, the role of intermediaries has become increasingly significant in family court settings. In this blog we delve into […]
Ellisons Solicitors offers employers tips on upcoming law on parental and carers leave
Julian Outen, Partner and Head of Employment at Ellisons Solicitors, delves into new legislation for parental leave and what it means for employees. From 6 April 2024, draft Regulations extend further the current right of employees on maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave who are at risk of redundancy, to be offered suitable available employment […]
Family Procedure Rules update – effective from 9th April
Marc Etherington joins the latest Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast to discuss the upcoming changes to the Family Procedure Rules which will further embed non-court dispute resolution (NCDR) in the family justice and courts services. Marc, the Legal Director at Rayden Solicitors, and a member of Resolution’s National Committee, explains how The Family Procedure (Amendment No […]
Crossland Employment Solicitors appoints new Managing Director as it takes next step as an Employee Ownership Trust
Crossland Employment Solicitors is taking its next step as an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) and has appointed Director, Barry Ross, as its new Managing Director. Beverley Sunderland, the previous MD, will continue as a Partner. Ross joined Crossland in 2011 before becoming a Director in 2017. The new appointment enables Barry Ross, along with other […]