Law firms remain resilient in tough economic times – The Law Society
Against a tough economic backdrop and with the cost of living rising sharply, law firms saw profits go only marginally down, according to the Law Society’s Financial Benchmarking Survey that provides an overview of the financial performance of the legal sector. The research shows that profits per equity partner continued the pre-COVID trend, with median […]
Column: Cohabitation Laws in Practice
Gabrielle Thomas, a senior associate from Stowe Family Law explores the potential outcomes of a new cohabitation reform, set to be enforced by 2026. As the popularity of marriage declines, many couples now choose to live together prior to getting married, and some choose not to get married at all. In recognition of the shifting […]
Over 3,000 participants confirm growing success of Family Mediation Week initiative
New figures show the growing success of Family Mediation Week, with well over 3,000 people having participated in a series of webinars and face-to-face meetings held during the January 2024 event, almost doubling the corresponding figure for 2023. Family Mediation Week 2024 events, organised by The Family Mediation Council (FMC), provided information and support to […]
Column: Changes in divorce and the rise of the prenup
In recent years, we have seen a number of changes in the way we ‘do’ divorce in the UK. Below, Joanna Farrrands, Partner and Family Solicitor at Moore Barlow explores some of the major trends that have emerged over the last three years or so, and what we can reasonably conclude from them. Lies, damned […]
First things first – getting the basics right
I am excited to be writing this, my first blog, for Today’s Media. I qualified in 1996, and left private practice in 2012 to co-found The CS Partnership. The CS Partnership is a consultancy for law firms founded by ex-lawyers who wanted to help the profession deal with the modernisation it was facing. I am […]
Family Court reporting: how effective and accurate is it?
By Alex Verdan KC, barrister at 4PB and Sacha Lee, associate at Dawson Cornwell The 2023 social landscape is a very different one to that of 2015, 2010 and 2000. I grew up during an era of exponential technological expansion. When I was a toddler, if you were very lucky, you might own a first-generation […]
Law firm acts on behalf of husband in spousal maintenance case, reducing cost by £50K
A Law firm acted on behalf of a husband in a spousal maintenance case, saving him £50K over the maintenance term. The outcome of the case shows a significant shift in how the Court handles maintenance disputes, which historically have leaned toward the recipient. Weightman’s, a firm based in Leicester, represented a husband in his […]
Navigating pension sharing in divorce | Legal precedents, guidance and implications
Introduction to pension sharing Pension sharing is a common aspect of financial settlement on divorce. It is common for those who have not sought legal advice to misunderstand Financial Remedy guidance – and consider financial division as ‘capital’ only (such as a house sale, transfer of vehicles, or closure of joint bank accounts). However, the […]
Law firms and leadership – the skill of profitable delegation
The Today’s Family Lawyer podcast welcome Dan Warburton on to discuss the topic of leadership. Dan works with law firms leaders and partners to elevate their leadership skills to enable them empower staff to be more efficient and effective. Dan describes his work as “the skill of profitable delegation;” to create leaders who can deliver […]
Growth in the family sector – how are you managing it?
The GLP Index has predicted a growth of +3% for family lawyers in 2024. How are family lawyers going to deal with such growth? Or perhaps the question should be how are the family Courts going to deal with this growth? Our clients need to know from the outset that whatever their need for advice, […]
UK Divorce falls to lowest figures in 50 years
The number of divorces in England and Wales has fallen to its lowest rate since 1971 according to figures released last week. According to the latest ONS figures a total of 80,057 divorces occurred in 2022: 78,759 opposite sex divorces and a further 1,298 same sex divorces. That’s a significant fall from the 2021 figures […]
Divorce rates fall
ONS statistics just released on the number of completed divorces in 2022 were initially a bit of a surprise. There was an expectation in some quarters that divorce rates would increase year-on-year, following the end of the Covid-19 pandemic and the introduction of ‘No Fault divorce’ in April 2022. However, the figures revealed that divorce […]
London calling – at least for now: Part III claims and ‘divorce tourism’
Over the last decade or so London has established itself as the ‘divorce capital’ of the world. A few key words on an internet search returns numerous examples of international couples embroiled in protracted litigation here. There can be no doubt that this has in part been because this jurisdiction is seen as giving more […]
The evolving trends in international divorce
The evolving trends in international divorce – A shift away from London as the “Divorce capital of the world”? London has long been recognised as the “divorce capital of the world”, due to its equitable and fair treatment in financial remedy applications following divorce. This reputation has attracted individuals, colloquially known as “divorce tourists”, seeking […]
What’s next for cohabitation reform?
The Today’s Family Lawyer podcast welcomes well-known cohabitation reform specialist and campaigner Graeme Fraser on to discuss the next steps for legislative reform. Graeme is a partner and head of the family team at BBS Law and Chair the Resolution Cohabitation committee. He decries the lack of legislation in this important, and growing area of […]
ChatGPT used to generate ‘alarming’ fake cases in high-profile Vancouver divorce highlights the danger of accidental misuse of AI tools in court
British Columbian lawyer Chong Ke has been ordered to pay costs to a claimant’s lawyers after it was discovered that the use of AI tool ChatGPT was used to accidentally fabricate cases for her client in a high-profile divorce battle between Chinese business tycoon Wei Chen and his ex-wife Nina Zhang. If the cases had […]
Beyond Price: What Makes Clients Choose a Solicitor in 2024?
Over 1200 people responded to Stephen Rimmer LLP Solicitors annual survey which was carried out in December 2023 and January 2024. The survey asked participants what plans they had for 2024, their biggest challenges and what’s most important to them when choosing a solicitor. Challenges for 2024 For our respondents, 2024 presents a mixed bag […]
‘Strikingly few children have their wishes and feelings heard’
When child arrangement decisions are made in the family court, strikingly few children have their wishes and feelings heard, says Nuffield Family Justice Observatory. New research published yesterday (Wednesday 21st February 2024) has suggested that when separated parents use the family court to reach decisions about a child’s upbringing, almost 50% of the children involved […]
“Lead Linings Playbook” – A relationship and divorce involving Narcissistic Personality Disorder
The 2012 film Silver Linings Playbook focuses on the relationship between a man who has bipolar disorder and a woman who has an undefined personality disorder. The male protagonist tells his therapist his new approach to life is to search for the “silver linings” in every experience and indeed his relationship with the woman blossoms […]
Greece legalises same-sex marriage
Greece has become the first Christian Orthodox-majority country to legalise same-sex marriage. Same-sex couples will now also be legally allowed to adopt children after the 176-76 vote in parliament last week. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the new law would “boldly abolish a serious inequality”. Unsurprisingly though, this news has divided the country, with fierce […]