‘Divorce day is a myth’ – family lawyers weigh in on annual ‘event’
The first working Monday of the year has been dubbed ‘divorce day’, due to a supposed influx of couples seeking legal help to end their marriages. But much like the thoroughly debunked Blue Monday, which continues to receive mainstream coverage two decades after a PR company came up with the concept to sell holidays, family […]
Government pledges to reverse decline in foster carer numbers
Vulnerable children in the care system in England will be provided with more stable and loving homes under government plans to radically accelerate foster carer recruitment. The government says it has committed to tackling the growing shortage of foster carers across England, and confirmed that “a comprehensive package of reforms” will be introduced early this […]
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Today’s Family Lawyer is a labour of love for the Today’s Media team; we genuinely adore what we do and feel privileged to bring you the daily news, views, insight and best practice from across the family law community. Over the past 12 months we’ve brought you the ups and downs of the family law […]
Slight increase in overall family cases masks ‘concerning’ rise in domestic violence protection orders
The latest Ministry of Justice figures show a 2% increase in the number of new cases in the family courts from July to September this year compared with the same period in 2024, with a total of 67,844 new cases. There was an increase in most case types, including domestic violence (11%), private law (11%), […]
Legal sector value jumps to over £50bn as LSB outlines plans for future regulation
The legal services sector grew from a value of £41.4 billion in 2021 to £52.3 billion by 2024. Private equity investment in the sector has increased significantly, climbing by 42% from £377 million in 2023 and reaching £1.2 billion over the last five years. Satisfaction in the delivery of legal services is improving, as the […]
Mazur response a key focus for CILEx Regulation, as it sets out 2026 corporate plan
CILEx Regulation Limited (CRL) has set out its priorities for the coming year, and said its focus will be on securing litigation rights for legal executives following “the massive upset” caused by the Mazur judgment. Writing in its 2026 plan, the regulator said it had been “working tirelessly to communicate with the regulated communities, Stakeholders, […]
Lawyers fear AML reforms could endanger legal privilege, poll finds
Three in five (58%) legal professionals informally sampled have expressed concern that proposed AML reforms could affect legal professional privilege. The finding comes from a poll of 204 legal professionals, which was carried out during a webinar hosted by compliance and training providers VinciWorks and Compliance Office. Attendees were discussing the government proposal to significantly reduce […]
Osbornes Law and Lodders welcome new family partners
Lee Henderson has joined the family department of London-based Osbornes Law as the third new partner in recent months, while south west firm Lodders has appointed family law specialist Helen Benussi as a partner. Benussi (left, main picture) has over a decade of experience advising on all aspects of family law, divorce, and child-related matters. […]
Nowhere to hide for offenders in ‘largest crackdown on VAWG in British history’
The “full power of the state” will be deployed in the largest crackdown on violence perpetrated against women and girls in British history, as part of new strategy announced by the government today. All police forces in England and Wales will introduce specialist rape and sexual offence investigation teams to hunt down perpetrators, with specialist […]
Law Society ‘strongly opposes’ proposed switch to AML regulation under the FCA
The Law Society of England and Wales has outlined its opposition to proposals to create a Single Professional Services Supervisor (SPSS) for anti-money laundering which would sit under the supervision of the Financial Conduct Authority. In October Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the creation of a SPSS as part of her ‘blitz’ on ‘pointless admin,’ citing […]
SRA targets COLPs and COFAs in latest client money crackdown
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) will seek to separate the roles of Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) and Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA) from ‘individuals that can unilaterally determine or direct significant management decisions’ with law firms, in its latest crackdown. A newly launched client money consultation proposes to separate both roles […]
Family legal aid fees half of what they were 30 years ago, leading to ‘system overload’
Remuneration is too low to support a ‘sustainable legal aid practice’ and working conditions are ‘intolerable’ leading to system overload in the family legal aid system, according to a new report from the Bar Council. ‘System overload: a report into family legal aid’ highlights the ‘detrimental impact’ family legal aid is having on barristers, as […]
Court of Appeal finds child placement order was not proportionate
The Court of Appeal’s decision in N (A Child: Placement Order: Proportionality) is a reminder that when making child placement orders proportionality must be carefully considered, particularly where there is a complex cultural context. Lord Justice Peter Jackson handed down the judgment earlier this month after a November hearing, finding that “the plan for adoption was […]
Economic abuse figures ‘shocking but not surprising’, family lawyer says
Figures from the charity Surviving Economic Abuse, which reveal 27% of mothers in the UK with children under 18 have experience economic abuse in the last year, are “shocking but not surprising,” according to Stowe Family Law’s Zoe Robinson. The senior associate, who specialises in domestic abuse cases, says economic abuse is now one of […]
Government previews VAWG strategy with £19bn commitment over next three years
The government has previewed its much anticipated Violence against Women and Girls strategy, announcing nearly £1 billion in funding over the next three years to invest in counselling, court guidance and children’s services to support victims. The strategy is expected to be announced this week. A further £19 million to provide safe accommodation has already […]
Law Society rejects LeO budget increase
With the deadline for responding to the draft business plan and budget of the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) now passed, the Law Society of England and Wales has announced it has rejected the proposals. In November, the Office for Legal Complaints (OLC) published the draft 2026/27 plan and budget, which marks the final year of its […]
New Bar Council chief appointed
The General Council of the Bar (Bar Council) has announced a successor to current chief executive Malcolm Cree CBE, who is retiring after eight years at the head of the organisation. Jim Morris CB DSO will join the Bar Council on 23 March 2026. Morris joins from retail communications technology company VoCoVo after a career […]
Govt unveils plans for national Child Protection Authority to protect children from predators and abuse
The Department for Education has announced plans to “significantly strengthen” reforms to protect children from abuse, through the creation of a new Child Protection Authority. The proposals for a new public body, which are the subject of a 12-week consultation, will strengthen England’s child protection system by providing national oversight, ensuring that vulnerable children are not failed by the […]
Psychotherapist loses bid for anonymity, as Appeal Court rules judicial criticism doesn’t trigger additional rights
A psychotherapist who attempted to block being named in the judgment on a case for which she was a witness has had her bid for anonymity refused by the Court of Appeal. Aimee Dover, a witness of fact relating to private law proceedings, appealed to have a judgment containing “significant criticisms of her professional conduct” […]
High Court test case will decide whether WhatsApp messages are legally binding
A divorced artist who claims her ex-husband signed over their £1.5 million home to her via WhatsApp after their split is locked in a High Court test case fight to keep it. London-based painter Hsiao Mei-Lin married Icelandic financier Audun Mar Gudmundsson in 2009, but the pair had a troubled marriage and separated in 2016. […]