Research highlights risk of homelessness as a result of cohabitee relationship breakdown
Homelessness as a result of cohabiting relationships breaking down is on the rise, according to a review of local authority applications where ‘relationship breakdown’ was recorded as a primary cause. The latest statistics published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggest there are 3.5 million cohabiting-couple families in 2025 (17.6% of all families); an […]
Shortcomings in continuing competence prompt CPD consultation from SRA
Shortcomings in the continuing competence training regime have prompted the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to undertake a consultation into the future of ensuring solicitors complete regular and relevant training. SRA-regulated solicitors are required to maintain competence and professional knowledge as part of their obligations under the Code of Conduct for Solicitors. The ‘continuing competence’ regime […]
The Solicitors’ Charity partner calls for more action on wellbeing
The Solicitors’ Charity partner Lawsight is supporting the call for more tangible action on wellbeing in the law ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week in May. Lawsight is recommending practical steps that can be implemented to help protect people’s wellbeing at work. Satpal Kaur-Thompson, co-founder of Lawsight (pictured left) said: “The impact isn’t just personal. […]
Assisted dying bill stalls in House of Lords but supporters hopeful of imminent return
Efforts to introduce assisted dying in England and Wales have run out of time after the bill stalled in the House of Lords – with supporters accusing peers of holding up the legislation. Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Kim Leadbetter, who had launched the private members bill and championed its progress through Parliament […]
Potanina v Potanin to go ahead in UK court, with final hearing ordered for November
A Russian oligarch can’t continue to block a court battle that could result in one of the biggest divorce settlements in history, the Family Court has ruled. Vladimir Potanin had sought to delay ex-wife Natalia Potanina’s Part III claim for nearly £5 billion pending the outcome of proceedings in Russia, which would bar his ex-wife […]
Taylor Rose fined £160,000 by SRA
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has fined Taylor Rose more than £160,000 for compliance failures including failing to return client money promptly. The SRA directed the firm to pay a financial penalty of £160,059 and ordered to pay costs of £1,350. The regulator said it had fined the firm for failing to have effective systems […]
King appoints new president of the Family Division
The Rt Hon Lord Justice Stephen Cobb has been appointed President of the Family Division by the King. His appointment, which follows the retirement of Sir Andrew McFarlane on 13 April 2026, was made on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Lord Chancellor following the recommendation of an independent selection panel. Lord Justice […]
Supreme Court rules adoption orders are final and permanent
The Supreme Court has ruled that adoption orders cannot be revisited outside the formal appeals process, reinforcing that they are final and permanent decisions. In the matter of X and Y (Children: Adoption Order: Setting Aside), the Supreme Court unanimously dismissed the appeal from the adoptive mother of two now-adult children, X and Y, who […]
Unregulated sperm donor loses declaration of parentage application
The Family Court has taken the unusual step of naming an unregulated sperm donor in a judgment on a parentage case. The Rt Hon Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division, publicly named Robert Albon, who calls himself Joe Donor and advertises sperm on Facebook and Instagram, after Mr Albon made a declaration of […]
Government ‘running out of time’ to reform cohabitation
The government is “running out of time” to reform cohabitation laws, family law professionals have warned, following the publication of the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates of families and household types in the UK. The newly released figures show a steady growth in cohabitation and an increase in lone parents living with adult […]
SRA is investigating £39.5m ‘sophisticated suspected fraud’ at PM Law
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has confirmed it is investigating a “sophisticated suspected fraud” at PM Law, following its intervention in February. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the regulator said it now believes the failure of the firm, headquartered in Sheffield (pictured) was due to the improper removal and misuse of around £39.5 million […]
Landmark legal case identifies British fathers of children in rural Kenyan Army base
A landmark legal case representing dozens of mothers from Kenya is helping to identify British fathers for the first time, paving the way for recognition of identity, inheritance, financial rights and, in many cases, potential access to British nationality. The applicants, represented by International Family Law Group partner James Netto, all reside in the rural town […]
LSB to ‘focus on sharper and more targeted interventions’ in response to changing regulatory environment
The Legal Services Board (LSB) is responding to a “rapidly evolving” legal sector and plans to change its approach to oversight regulation to focus efforts on “where they are most needed”, according to its business plan for 2026/27. Recently appointed LSB chair Monisha Shah said that while she will focus on discovery in her first […]
News has ‘blind spot’ to VAWG coverage, with just 1.3% of global stories on the issue
A new report which aims to shine a light on the global under-reporting of violence against women and girls claims news media has a “blind spot” when it comes to coverage of the issue and is calling for improved reporting. At a time when a series of high profile cases have hit news media, including […]
LSSA launches ESG policy to ‘support responsible innovation and trusted AI in legal technology’
The Legal Software Suppliers Association (LSSA) has responded to the growing use of artificial intelligence in technology by launching a new policy document on environmental, social and governance (ESG), setting out a framework to support responsible growth, ethical innovation and trusted digital transformation across the legal technology sector. The membership body says the policy reflects […]
FCA consults on the interpretation of cryptoasset activities ahead of summer policy statements
Following confirmation the issuing, management and transfer of cryptoassets are to be regulated, of the Financial Conduct Authority has launched a consultation on its interpretation of cryptoasset activities ahead of the publication of policy statements in the summer. In December the government confirmed cryptocurrency would become regulated with providers required to register with the Financial […]
Government to crack down on harmful pornography in fight against VAWG
The government has announced its intention to crack down on harmful pornography under new amendments tabled to the Crime and Policing Bill, as part of its pledge to halve violence against women and girls within a decade. Under the measures, possessing or publishing pornography depicting incest or adults pretending to be children will become a […]
New paternity leave reform ‘could reshape family law’
Changes to paternity leave, which became a day one right earlier this month, will have important implications for family law, and “place fathers and partners on a more equal footing from the outset”. Julian Bremner, executive partner and financial arbitrator at Rayden Solicitors, said the introduction of new provisions under the Employment Rights Act mark […]
Law Society issues Mazur practice note
A new practice note aimed at providing guidance on how firms can ensure they are compliant with the recent Mazur decision has been published by the Law Society of England and Wales. The practice note includes advice on how firms can make sure that only those authorised to do so carry on the conduct of […]
Judges urged to write to children in updated family court toolkit
Family judges have been encouraged to write to children involved in court proceedings in an updated toolkit published this week. Before his retirement on Monday, the former president of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane, shared advice for family judges, suggesting they write to children and young people involved in family court cases to communicate […]