Restricting jury trials would save just 2% of crown court time, IfG says
A report from the Institute for Government (IfG) on the potential impact of government plans to restrict jury trials reveals the changes would “unlock only relatively modest reductions in demand”. Instead, the IfG says, the government should focus on reversing the decline in productivity seen in the crown courts since 2016. The proposals to reduce […]
Judiciary sets out diversity and inclusion priorities in latest strategy
The Judiciary of England and Wales has published its Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2026-2030, which sets out its priorities for expanding the diversity of the judiciary, particularly the number of Black judges. The Judiciary said it is committed to achieving meaningful progress in diversity and inclusivity, with the Lady Chief Justice, Dame Sue Carr, saying […]
Inspectorates warn children are not being recognised as domestic abuse victims
Children who are affected by domestic abuse are not being consistently recognised as victims despite it being a requirement of the Domestic Abuse Act, according to a new joint report by Ofsted, the Care Quality Commission, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, and HM Inspectorate of Probation. The inspectorates have called for […]
Family Mediation Week 2026: 26th-30th January
Family Mediation Week 2026 was launched at the office of Family Law in Partnership in London yesterday (Wednesday), ahead of a week packed with on and offline events and learning opportunities for family lawyers, other professionals and the wider general public. The event, hosted by the Family Mediation Council (FMC), outlined the ambitions for the […]
Most mortgage lending now covered by Financial Abuse Code
The Financial Abuse Code implemented by UK Finance, the trade association for the UK banking and financial services sector, has been adopted by almost 90% of the UK’s mortgage providers. Yesterday, eight more institutions signed the code: Coventry Building Society, Cumberland Building Society, Fleet Mortgages, Ikano Bank, Monzo, Principality Building Society, Progressive Building Society, and […]
Senior Manchester family lawyer struck off for misleading unrepresented opposing party
A senior Manchester solicitor has been struck off after “knowingly” and “recklessly” misleading an unrepresented opposing party and attempting to involve a junior colleague. The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal heard that in September 2023, Kirsten Tomlinson, then a senior associate solicitor in the family law department of Irwin Mitchell LLP, falsely led her client’s estranged partner […]
Government ‘will launch consultation on children’s social media use’
The government says it will launch a consultation on children’s social media use, with restrictions on ‘addictive’ features, an outright ban on social media access for children, and better age checks among the measures to be considered. The consultation will identify the next steps in the government’s plan to boost children’s wellbeing online, to ensure they have a […]
MoJ to give victims free access to Crown Court sentencing remarks
All victims going through the Crown Court will have free access to judges’ sentencing remarks in their case, the Ministry of Justice has announced. The move is the latest measure to improve transparency and victims’ experiences in the courts, consistent with the recommendations of the Leveson Review. Victims typically have to pay £40 to access […]
Social purpose law firm launches divorce chatbot to improve early support
Social purpose specialist law firm Anthony Collins has launched a free AI support service to help clients navigate the first steps of the divorce process. The firm, which has offices across the Midlands and North West, developed Talk to Aida with experienced family lawyers to offer discreet guidance 24 hours a day. All conversations are […]
Bright Legal Solicitors and W&P Legal collaborate to offer probate and family services
Leicester-based Bright Legal Solicitors and W&P Legal of Lincolnshire have announced a strategic collaboration designed to provide clients with a broad and more integrated range of legal services across England and Wales. Bright Legal Solicitors, led by Parvien Akhtar, has earned a strong reputation in Leicester and beyond for providing expert advice across family law and litigation. […]
Habitual residence and removal to non-Hague states
In HF, KF and LF (Children) (Habitual Residence), the High Court considered the operation of Article 7 of the 1996 Hague Convention where children are removed to non-contracting states. In a judgment handed down by David Rees KC (sitting as a deputy judge of the High Court) the court considered jurisdiction under its inherent powers […]
Gamlins Law solicitors appointed as panel deputies
Two solicitors from Gamlins Law have been appointed as panel deputies by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). Ron Davison, managing partner, and director Dafydd Roberts will significantly strengthen local access to specialist support for some of the region’s most vulnerable people, the firm said. Founded in 1889, Gamlins Law advises individuals and families […]
High Court rules WhatsApp messages are not legal signatures in divorce case
A High Court judge in a test case involving a dispute over the ownership of property belonging to a former husband and wife has ruled WhatsApp messages are not legally binding signatures in the transfer of property. In Maxine Reid-Roberts & Anor v Hsiao Mei-Lin & Anor, Mr Justice Cawson did not consider WhatsApp messages […]
New charity launches national directory of separated parenting programmes
A new charity, the Separated Parenting Programme Directory (SPPD), has launched in the UK with the aim of providing family law professionals and separating parents with a single, national directory of quality-assured separated parenting programmes. SPPD has been established to provide a practical solution to a long-standing issue within the family justice landscape. While courts, […]
National firms report strong growth in latest financial results
Setfords, Knights and Ward Hadaway have reported strong growth in their latest financial results, with the latter enjoying record turnover of £53.6 million in 2025/25, up 11.6% year-on-year. The firm, which recently merged with Teesside firm The Endeavour Partnership and opened a new Birmingham office, is on target to achieve its objectives of turnover growth […]
Regional firms celebrate successes and milestones
Regional law firms are celebrating their successes this month, with new offices, a milestone anniversary and expanded services. Bell Lamb & Joynson (pictured) has re-established its presence in Liverpool with the opening of a new city centre office, which the firm says marks a significant milestone in its growth across the north west. The firm’s […]
Firms continue to deal with fall-out from LAA cyber attack while others profit, family lawyer says
A family legal aid lawyer has questioned the priorities of government as legal practitioners continue to deal with the fall-out from the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) cyber attack last May. Stacey Phoenix, director and head of family law at Cygnet Law in Redcar, made the comments as she highlighted the growing number of ‘no win, […]
Online Procedure Rules positive first step for a digital justice system, Law Society says
The Law Society of England and Wales has backed the Online Procedure Rule Committee’s (OPRC) first Online Procedure Rules, as the consultation to seek views on the draft rules draws to a close today (Thursday). The rules, which were published with the consultation at the beginning of December, will apply to online procedures in family, […]
Assisted dying law ‘will fail through lack of time’, Lord warns
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will enter its sixth day of the Committee Stage in the House of Lords on Friday, but Lord Falconor of Thoroton (pictured) has warned the legislation could fail through lack of time after Lords tabled over 1000 amendments during previous sittings. Amendments have been organised into 84 […]
Sir Geoffrey Vos to retire as Master of the Rolls
Sir Geoffrey Vos has announced that he will retire from the judiciary and as Master of the Rolls on 31 October 2026. Appointed to the position in 2021, Sir Geoffrey is the Head of Civil Justice and the second most senior judge in England and Wales after the Lady Chief Justice. As Master of the […]