Member network LawNet announces leadership changes as Marston to step down
Law firm mutual and membership body LawNet has announced a change at the top of it’s leadership team as CEO Chris Marston will step down in June 2025 after eleven years in the role, to be succeeded by LawNet’s current member engagement & strategy director Helen Hamilton-Shaw. A banker by background having been head of […]
More support for victims of antisocial behaviour
Victims of antisocial behaviour (ASB) are to get better information and access to support as the government continues to implement its Plan for Change and cracks down on ASB in local communities. At present when victims of antisocial behaviour believe their case is not being dealt with appropriately by the relevant agencies like councils, police, […]
Family court reporting provisions to extend to all family courts in England and Wales
Following the success of the family court reporting pilot, the Family Procedure Rule Committee has approved a proposal to rollout the reporting pilot nationally, through changes to the Family Procedure Rules and new practice directions. The statutory instrument required to make those changes was signed at the end of December 2024. The effect of this […]
Over 100 expert violence against women and girls organisations issue letter of solidarity
Women’s Aid, alongside 100 other expert violence against women and girls (VAWG) organisations, have issued a letter of solidarity to Jess Phillips MP following an onslaught of misogynistic and far right attacks against the Minister for Safeguarding and VAWG earlier this week. Signatories are horrified by the cynical and dangerous attacks which are clearly intended […]
Government explores financial protections for victims of controlling behaviour
Jessica Brown-Fuller, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Hospitals and Primary Care, has raised concerns about protections for victims of financial coercion and controlling behaviour. Jessica Brown-Fuller asked the Secretary of State for Justice whether the government would assess the potential merits of providing financial protection for victims of (a) financially coercive and (b) other controlling behaviour. […]
ABS fined more than £25,000 for AML failings
A Birmingham law firm has been fined more than the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) stated £25,000 for ‘traditional’ firms for anti-money laundering (AML) failures because of it’s status as an alternative business structure (ABS). Tyndallwoods Solicitors, has been fined £27,813 by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for failing to implement proper anti-money laundering (AML) measures […]
Teachers’ pension delays leave divorcing members in limbo
Hundreds of teachers across England are facing significant delays in their divorce proceedings due to backlogs in obtaining pension valuations from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, according to The BBC. These valuations, known as Cash Equivalent Transfer Values (CETVs), are essential for determining how pensions should be divided during financial settlements. Amy Goldsmith, a 43-year-old history, […]
Refuge responds to new proposed offences to tackle intimate image abuse
The Government will create new offences for the taking of intimate images without consent and the installation of equipment with intent to commit these offences – sending a clear message that abusers will face the full force of the law and Refuge “welcome the long-awaited measures”. Responding to the government’s new proposed offences to tackle […]
Further growth for South East family law firm as new director opens Farnham Office
A Chichester and Brighton-based specialist family law and mediation firm is celebrating further growth as the firm welcomes acclaimed solicitor Grace-Parker White to the team as a Director. This development coincides with the launch of its third office, to be led by Grace and set in the centre of the beautiful Surrey town of Farnham, […]
CILEx Regulation sets out its priorities for delivering forward thinking evidenced-based legal regulation in 2025
In its 2025 Corporate Plan, launched today, CILEx Regulation Limited (CRL) sets out a bold programme of action to strengthen the regulation of legal executives and improve information to consumers. The key priorities deliver the first year of its 2025-2027 Corporate Strategy which was published in November 2024 and reflect widespread consultation with the profession, […]
4PB’s Barbara Mills KC Makes History as Chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales for 2025
Barbara Mills KC, Joint Head of Chambers at leading family law set 4PB, has been elected Chair of the Bar Council for 2025. Barbara becomes the first black woman and the first person of colour to hold the role, as well as leading the first all-female officer team in the Bar Council’s 130-year history, working […]
Former police officer warns grooming gangs still active across UK
A former senior police officer has warned that sexual abuse similar to the crimes exposed in Oxford’s grooming gang investigation is still ongoing, with perpetrators operating “in plain sight”, as reported by The BBC. Simon Morton, who led Operation Bullfinch for Thames Valley Police, told the BBC that individuals involved in grooming networks are still […]
Government response to the Victims’ Commissioner’s Annual Victims’ Survey 2023
The UK government has issued a detailed response to the findings and recommendations in the Victims’ Commissioner’s Annual Victims’ Survey 2023, reiterating its commitment to improving the experiences of crime victims throughout the criminal justice system. Alex Davies-Jones MP, Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls, highlighted key areas of progress, future initiatives, […]
Government crackdown on explicit deepfakes
Predators who create sexually explicit ‘deepfakes’ could face prosecution as the Government bears down on vile online abuse as part of its mission to make our streets safer. The proliferation of these hyper-realistic images has grown at an alarming rate, causing devastating harm to victims, particularly women and girls who are often the target. To […]
New offence to target failure to report child sexual abuse, announces Home Secretary Yvette Cooper
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced plans to introduce a new offence targeting individuals who cover up or fail to report child sexual abuse, as part of the government’s effort to implement mandatory reporting laws. The change will be added to the Crime and Policing Bill this spring, following recommendations made by Professor Alexis Jay […]
89% of UK couples lack prenuptial agreements
Nine-in-ten (89%) UK couples who are married or in a civil partnership do not have a prenuptial agreement in place, according to new independent research conducted on behalf of Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management, highlighting a significant gap in proactive wealth planning. Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management’s study shows that 60% of couples between the […]
280k recent divorces delayed due to money struggles, research reveals
New research from Legal & General Retail to mark Divorce Day (Monday 6th January) – where family lawyers report a spike in inquiries following the festive season – has found that 280,000 recent divorces were postponed due to financial pressures. This means that 17% of all divorces that happened in the last five years were […]
New reforms and independent commission to transform social care
Thousands more people with disabilities will be supported to remain in their homes thanks to immediate action government is taking to improve adult social care, support the care workforce and take pressure off the NHS. Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting will confirm a £86 million boost to the Disabled Facilities Grant for this […]
Prof Alexis Jay calls for urgent action on child abuse reforms amid debate over new inquiries
Prof Alexis Jay, former chair of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), has urged the government to fully implement the 20 recommendations set out in the inquiry’s 2022 final report, which highlighted “endemic” abuse across England and Wales. A campaign group chaired by Prof Jay, Act on IICSA, has called for ministers to […]
Family Mediation Week 2025: Family law professionals invited to free webinars
People working in a range of family justice roles will be able to learn how family mediation can support them in their work, by attending a range of free one-hour webinars during Family Mediation Week 2025. From Monday 27 to Friday 31 January, lawyers, Cafcass officers, teachers, social workers, local authority officers and others working […]
