Family high-cost hourly rates case plans – hints and tips to get them agreed first time round!
Our legal aid teams say they often worry about high-cost cases and what it will mean but, in fact, they shouldn’t actually cause anxiety. I’ve put together simple tips which, when followed, will help you maximise costs recovery and make planning easier. What to think about when registering cases Cases should be registered when you […]
Nigel Shepherd on “No Fault Divorce”
The latest Today’s Family Lawyer podcast welcomes Nigel Shepherd on to discuss his role in, and view of, the implementation of The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act (2020), best know as “No Fault Divorce.” Nigel has ardently campaigned for over 20 years to reform divorce law; work which has seen him be the only person […]
How solicitors add value in the ‘no-fault’ divorce era
The introduction of ‘no-fault’ divorce was heralded as a long-overdue piece of legislation to replace the previous requirement of proving a spouse was at fault for the breakdown of a marriage. It is intended as a ‘streamlined’ divorce procedure, outside of the court area, which allows separating couples to do so amicably. Whilst no-fault divorce […]
What’s new in the world of modern family law and fertility?
There’s been a lot going on in the world of fertility and modern families in the last few months and even more exciting developments are on the horizon. Partner and head of Burgess Mee’s Modern Families’ Department, Natalie Sutherland, considers those developments. What’s new in the world of modern family law and fertility? Donor conception […]
AI in Family Law: Are we all out of a job?
Family law, like many other sectors, is undergoing a significant transformation thanks (or not, perhaps) to the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. The legal landscape is evolving, with AI becoming an invaluable tool for family lawyers and their clients. This article explores the profound impact of AI in family law, shedding light on how […]
Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas: a case study on the power of mediation
Mediation has been around in the family law world since the mid 1980’s. As it is not a new concept, it is surprising it has taken almost 40 years to really hit headlines following its use by high profile figures, most recently Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas. Mediation has numerous benefits, which should really make […]
Supporting clients with ADHD
In 2023, ‘Neurodiversity’ is a vastly used ‘buzz word’. One internet search will bring up thousands of results and resources. This can leave people feeling overwhelmed with information. In this confusing tangle of information, how can legal professionals simplify this very complex topic and become allies to our neurodivergent clients and co-workers? This article will […]
How Law Firms Should Be Utilising Video Content: Engaging, Informative, and Effective
Video is judged by over 54% of marketers to be the most effective way of grabbing attention. When we’re scrolling through social media, it’s easy to scroll past content. What we need to do is get people to stop and to look at our content. Video is an incredibly useful way to do this. It’s […]
The Ombudsman’s Corner: November 2023
Our approach to dealing with complaints about delay Along with poor communication, delays are the most common area of complaint that the Legal Ombudsman receives – last year, 21% of complaints that we investigated were either about an unreasonable delay or failure to progress. Unfortunately, many of the complaints that we see are avoidable. This […]
‘Fragmented Families’: Seeking Practitioner Insights into Private Law Matters Where Grandparents are Pursuing Contact with Grandchildren’
This article was written by Dr. Charlotte Bendall (University of Birmingham) and Dr. Samantha Davey (University of Essex). Dr. Charlotte Bendall is an Associate Professor at Birmingham Law School, University of Birmingham, UK. Dr. Samantha Davey is a Lecturer in Law at the University of Essex. Both lead on the ‘Fragmented Families’ project, which examines […]
Special Feature: Interview with June Venters KC
In an extended episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast host David Opie interviews June Venters KC, who has spent much of her legal career breaking down barriers promoting equal opportunities in the law. In 1991 June launched Venters Solicitors, at a time when it was unusual for females to lead law firms. And in […]
National Fertility Awareness Week | In the Club?
In this National Fertility Awareness Week (30 Oct – 5 Nov 2023) Connie Atkinson, partner in the Family & Divorce team at law firm Kingsley Napley LLP, discusses the challenges of ‘trying to conceive’ that she has experienced first hand and from supporting her clients. Statistics show that 1 in 6 people are affected by […]
How does s91(14) of the Children Act 1989 protect the best interests of children?
Section 91(14) of the Children Act 1989 (the Act) holds significant importance within the court’s toolkit in children cases. It plays a vital role in regulating the access of individuals to apply for child arrangement orders and is central to safeguarding the welfare of the child. Recent developments have expanded on this provision with the […]
The global rise of AI: opportunities and challenges
At the start of November, the government will host the first global summit on artificial intelligence (AI), with a focus on the safe use of AI. The AI Safety Summit will be at Bletchley Park, a venue representing innovation and pioneering, and once the top-secret home of WW2 codebreakers. The Summit will focus on the […]
Call for change: Parental alienation remains a ‘devasting problem in the UK Courts’
In the United Kingdom, a silent crisis is unravelling within the family court system, as recent statistics reveal that 42% of family court cases involve parental alienation, with children under the age of five being the most affected. This issue, characterised by coercive and controlling behaviours, results in children emotionally severing ties with loving parents, […]
The Body – are you in breach of contract?
Imagine you have a contract with your body – “The Body”. You are obliged to take care of it, and feed, water and rest it. The Body is required to be resilient, stay healthy and in workable (preferably good!) condition. The agreed outcome is that you can function on a day-to-day basis with relationships, work, […]
Survivor proposes ‘P.E.A.C.H’ alert system to combat domestic abuse
A survivor of domestic abuse from Northampton is appealing to the public to support her new “life-saving” alert system by signing an online petition. Eve Mason, aged 37, was a victim of stalking by her abusive former partner, and it took her two years to safely leave that relationship. Her abuser was later convicted for […]
What is a divorce coach and how can they help?
The latest Today’s Family Lawyer podcast welcomes Sally Jackson of Sally Jackson Coaching, and Julia Moreno, a family lawyer at Keystone Law and a trained divorce coach, on to the podcast to discuss the topic of divorce coaches. The increasing use of subject matter experts across family law has led to a rise in the […]
Surrogacy and Immigration law – are changes afoot?
The Law Commission of England and Wales and Scotland published a report and draft Bill in March 2023 outlining recommendations to the UK Government to reform the law on surrogacy. The Report ‘Building Families Through Surrogacy: A New Law’ recommends various reforms to the law on surrogacy that are extremely positive, such as the frontloading […]
AI – an unexpected ally for separating families?
Communicating with an ex-partner can always have difficulties. But with the use of co-parenting apps on the rise, is artificial intelligence an unexpected ally for separating parents? There are many co-parenting apps on the market currently; OurFamilyWizard, Cozi Family Organiser, TalkingParents, WeParent and 2Houses to name just a handful. These apps offer features that can […]