New reforms to support victims of child sexual abuse
The Government is delivering on recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) to make it easier for victims to gain an apology and to pursue claims in the civil court. The three-year time limit for victims to bring personal injury claims will be removed. So will the burden of proof that currently […]
‘Delegate Now to Supercharge Your Profits’ – read our second exclusive extract
In a series of short excerpts from a new book, Dan Warburton shares his insight on how law firm owners and senior managers can increase their profits by being better at delegating their workload. Over the course of the next three weeks Today’s Family Lawyer is serialising Delegate Now to Supercharge Your Profits with a weekly […]
Brachers joins Lawfront
Lawfront announces that Brachers has joined the fast-growing legal services group, a development bringing another client and growth focused firm into the Group and taking revenue to over £100m. Brachers is a firm in the South East, based in Maidstone and Canterbury, with a “strong reputation for excellent client care and high-quality services”. This is […]
Government encourages victims of sexual violence to seek support
Over one million adults a year experience sexual violence, yet many are not aware of the free help available through the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support line. A dedicated awareness campaign, that has been launched, is designed to reach the survivors still suffering in silence. This contributes to the Government’s Safer Streets Mission to halve violence against women and […]
Health Secretary faces legal challenge over cross-sex hormones for children
The Health Secretary is facing legal action to force a ban on controversial sex change drugs for children, aligning with the existing prohibition on puberty blockers, as reported by The Telegraph. Lawyers representing individuals who regret taking sex change drugs, along with their families, are seeking a judicial review against Wes Streeting’s decision not to […]
Family Justice Council Guidance on Neurodiversity in the Family Justice System for Practitioners
The Family Justice Council (FJC) has published guidance for legal practitioners working with neurodivergent users of the Family Justice System. The guidance can be found on the Neurodiversity in the Family Justice System guidance page. The guidance follows almost two years of work drawing together the existing regulatory framework and setting out best practice, with contributions from […]
Government push to inform victims of their rights
The Victims’ Code sets out in clear and simple language what victims can expect from the criminal justice system, including the level of support they are entitled to. Research shows that while young adults are more likely to be victims of violent crime, too many are unaware of their rights – with just one in […]
Enable Law appoints ‘inspirational’ new mental capacity team leader
Enable Law, medical negligence, personal injury and mental capacity law firm, has announced the appointment of Annabelle Vaughan as the new head of its specialist mental capacity team. Annabelle will lead Enable Law’s fast-growing 41-strong team of mental capacity legal experts who support vulnerable people and their families with long-term care and financial needs. In […]
Family Mediation Week 2025 to help separating parents avoid courtroom conflict
Family Mediation Week 2025 runs from Monday 27th to Friday 31st January, 2025 Couples who have decided to separate or divorce are being urged to find out how to avoid courtroom confrontation to settle money and parenting arrangements, with the launch of Family Mediation Week 2025 which takes place between 27th and 31st January. The […]
The funding gap risking the future of domestic abuse services in England
A new report published by Women’s Aid reveals the severity of the £321 million funding gap faced by domestic abuse services. Life-saving services have been forced into using organisation reserves and reduce areas of work as a result of this gap, sparking concern over their future. 15% of respondents to the Women’s Aid annual survey, […]
MoJ announces an extension to the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme
It has been announced that the Minister responsible for family justice has confirmed the family mediation voucher scheme will be continued for a further year until March 2026. Following news that the Ministry of Justice has extended the family mediation voucher scheme by 12 months, Stephen Burke, Chair of The Family Mediation Council (FMC), said: […]
‘Delegate Now to Supercharge Your Profits’ – read our first exclusive extract
In a series of short excerpts from a new book, Dan Warburton shares his insight on how law firm owners and senior managers can increase their profits by being better at delegating their workload. Over the course of the next three weeks Today’s Family Lawyer is serialising Delegate Now to Supercharge Your Profits with a weekly […]
Law Society helps shape civil legal aid fee proposals
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has opened its consultation to increase civil legal aid fees for those working in housing and immigration sectors. The Law Society of England and Wales welcomes the proposed hike in civil legal aid fees, the first in nearly 30 years. The proposal will include: Civil legal aid rates rising to […]
Landmark Judicial review challenges Councils’ Safety Valve Agreements over SEN funding cuts
Watkins Solicitors is representing families in a pivotal Judicial Review case against Devon County Council and Bristol City Council’s Safety Valve Agreement, due to be heard at the Bristol High Court from 28–30 January 2025. This significant case challenges Devon County Council and Bristol City Council’s decision to enter into a Safety Valve Agreement with […]
Pension reforms to go further to unlock billions to drive growth and boost working peoples’ pension pots
Working people and businesses are set to benefit from new rules that will give more flexibility over how occupational defined benefit pension schemes are managed. Hosting a meeting with leaders of Britain’s biggest businesses in the City of London, the Prime Minister and the Chancellor set out the details of changes and tell some of […]
The Family Mediation Trust launches fund to tackle domestic abuse in family mediation
The Family Mediation Trust has announced the launch of the Family Mediation Impact Fund (FMIF), a new grant program dedicated to driving innovation and advancing practices in family mediation. With a clear focus for 2025, the fund aims to transform how mediators assess and assist families impacted by domestic abuse, fostering groundbreaking solutions to this […]
Growing public awareness of family mediation for separating couples offers ‘real promise for reducing costly court conflict’
Two thirds of people are aware that family mediation is an option to help avoid court and resolve money, parenting, and property issues, should they face divorce or separation, according to a new survey of 1,027 people. But awareness of the process – which family mediators say is growing – is yet to switch into action, with […]
Regional law firm expands Family team amid growth
Regional law firm, Gardner Leader, has announced the expansion of its Family Law team with the appointment of a new Senior Associate amid ongoing growth in Oxfordshire. Rosie Deller joins the firm having spent half a decade at a specialist family law firm in Buckinghamshire. Rosie’s appointment comes as the firm continues to amplify its […]
Lawyers targeted worldwide for upholding the rule of law
To commemorate the Day of the Endangered Lawyer (24th January), the Law Society of England and Wales draws attention to the risks lawyers face across the globe. There are lawyers that are targeted by certain governments looking to dismantle the justice system and erode the independence of the legal profession. The Day of the Endangered […]
Better protection for victims due to new law on sexually explicit deepfakes
The measure, which was announced earlier this month, has been tabled by the Government as an amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill currently before Parliament, to ensure the new law is on the statute book as quickly as possible. The new offence will target heinous abusers who create these artificial images either for […]