Daughter of ‘Ask for Angela’ namesake calls for stronger action on women’s safety
The daughter of Angela Crompton, whose name inspired the Ask for Angela safety scheme, is calling for stricter government action to ensure its proper implementation. Angela was killed by her husband in 2012, and the initiative allows people in bars and clubs to discreetly seek help if they feel unsafe. Hollie Crompton, Angela’s daughter, says […]
1,280 children subject to DoL applications in 2024 – MoJ
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has published information about the number of children subject to applications to deprive them of their liberty under the inherent jurisdiction of the high court (DoL applications) in the Family Court Statistics Quarterly release. It shows that 1,280 children were subject to applications to deprive them of their liberty in […]
£740 million allocated for 10,000 new places for pupils with SEND
More children and young people will be supported to achieve and thrive in their local school, as the government announces that 10,000 new school places will be funded for children with SEND, delivering on Plan for Change. £740 million is being invested by the government to deliver adaptations, expand specialist units in mainstream as well […]
LSB emphasises ongoing oversight and engagement to drive regulatory improvements
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the performance of legal regulators. Speaking at a recent meeting, LSB Chief Executive Craig Westwood outlined the Board’s approach leading up to the next regulatory performance assessment. Westwood emphasised that, beyond formal assessments, the LSB is actively working with regulators to drive improvements. This […]
MoJ releases update on Pathfinder programme for private law reform
The Ministry of Justice has released an update on the implementation of the Government’s Pathfinder programme for private law reform, including stakeholder support, a commitment to continuous improvement, and a focus on scaling successful initiatives. Recent figures revealed that the Pathfinder scheme is resolving cases faster, with family court backlogs reduced by half in pilot […]
Divorce applications drop 2% in late 2024, with sole applicants dominating
Between October to December 2024 there were 24,171 applications made (74% from sole applicants, 26% from joint applicants). This was a decrease of 2% from the same quarter in 2023, according to the Family Court Statistics. There were 23,413 final orders granted in October to December 2024 up 2% compared to the same quarter in […]
Progress on court reform programme but challenges remain
As the HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) Reform Programme, established to help modernise the courts and tribunal system, comes to an end, the Law Society of England and Wales has played an influential role to bring positive change. Over the nine-year span of the programme, 14 modern digital services were developed to enable access […]
Domestic homicide report exposes urgent need for stronger action on domestic abuse
The latest findings from the Domestic Homicides and Suspected Victim Suicides 2020-2024 Year 4 Report reveal the devastating toll of domestic abuse, with experts warning that urgent action is needed to prevent further loss of life. The report highlights that at least one woman is killed every week by a male partner or ex-partner, with […]
Children deprived of their liberty require better access to legal aid – The Law Society
The Law Society of England and Wales welcomes the reduction in family court backlogs and delays, but further investment in civil legal aid is needed to support children at risk of being deprived of their liberty. Civil legal aid is an essential public service that protects and strengthens our community, reducing the strain on other […]
Major legal regulators fall short in latest performance assessment
The two largest legal regulators in England and Wales have fallen short of expected standards, according to the latest annual performance assessment published by the Legal Services Board (LSB). The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and Bar Standards Board (BSB) together regulate more than 90% of legal professionals in England and Wales. Both failed to demonstrate […]
Law Society supports Mental Health Bill’s vital reforms but more work ahead
The Law Society of England and Wales has backed the amendments to the Mental Health Act 1983, which is a positive step towards ensuring that essential mental health services guarantee dignity, respect and access to justice for all. This comes as the Mental Health Bill goes into its report stage in the House of Lords […]
Rise in foreign surrogacy sparks calls for UK legal crackdown
The growing number of Britons using foreign surrogates to have children has raised concerns among campaigners, who warn it is introducing commercial surrogacy into the UK “through the back door”, as reported by The Times. Between 2018 and 2024, more than 1,500 applications were made in England for legal parental orders for babies born to […]
New 1,500-place prison opens as government grips crisis
HMP Millsike is the first of four new jails to be built as part of the Plan for Change to create 14,000 extra prison places by 2031. This extra capacity will help put more violent offenders behind bars, make streets safer and ensure the country never runs out of cells again. Last summer, the government […]
Tackle criminal court backlogs to ensure ‘swift access to justice for all’
Tackling the criminal court backlogs will help ensure the public can access the swift justice that everyone needs, says the Law Society of England and Wales. Investment into the criminal justice system could help free thousands of victims, witnesses and defendants from limbo as new figures published today by the Ministry of Justice show a […]
Guardiola to divorce using “one couple, one lawyer”
Manchester City Football Club manager Pep Guardiola and his wife Cristina Serra are reported to be to be using the ‘one lawyer, one couple’ divorce process following their recent announcement they will be separating. The couple, who have been together for more than 30 years, and married 10, are beginning divorce proceedings with the couple […]
Oligarch’s ex-wife faces £2m legal bill in high court battle against divorce lawyer
Tatiana Soroka, the former wife of Russian billionaire Farkhad Akhmedov, is facing a £2 million legal bill as she pursues a negligence claim against Baroness Shackleton of Belgravia and her law firm, Payne Hicks Beach, as reported by The Times. Soroka, 52, has accused Shackleton – one of Britain’s most well-known divorce lawyers – of […]
Family Mediation Trust grants funds to enhance domestic abuse screening in mediation
The Family Mediation Trust (TFMT) has announced that the Family Mediation Council (FMC) has been awarded funding through the Family Mediation Impact Fund to develop a resource aimed at strengthening domestic abuse screening and assessment within family mediation. This initiative, supported by a £10,000 grant, will provide family mediators with a standardised tool to assess […]
Most UK adults believe emotional abuse in childhood can have a lasting psychological effect but one in six cannot spot the signs
New findings reveal that 94% of UK adults who took part in the survey believe that emotional abuse in childhood can have a lasting psychological effect well into adulthood. The NSPCC commissioned a YouGov survey that found that on average almost one in six (17%) UK adults could not correctly identify examples of emotional abuse. […]
Legal aid fees must increase to protect this vital public service – The Law Society
The Law Society of England and Wales welcomes the government’s proposed changes to increase legal aid fees. The changes will lead to the highest rate increase after nearly 30 years of underinvestment in our justice system which unfairly penalises our communities. While the planned fee increases are a step in the right direction, it is […]
Sexual predator’s sentence extended after intervention by Solicitor General
A sexual predator who raped a 10-year-old he groomed on social media has had his sentence increased after the Solicitor General, Lucy Rigby KC MP, intervened. The Court of Appeal increased Ryan Sutton’s sentence by three years after his case was referred by the Solicitor General under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme. The court […]