AI is blurring boundaries on legal advice, new LSB chief exec warns
Richard Orpin, the new chief executive of the Legal Services Board, has hailed legal services as a “huge economic success story,” but warned that “AI is blurring the boundaries between regulated and unregulated legal advice.” Speaking at LegalEx London, Orpin (pictured) highlighted that the revenue generated by legal activities in the UK grew from £41.4 […]
Nuffield FJO calls for outcomes-based measures in family justice
The Nuffield Family Justice Observatory (Nuffield FJO) is calling for the introduction of shared measures of success across the family justice system, arguing that current metrics – focused on system efficiencies such as the length of proceedings – do not capture the outcomes that matter to children and families. In a briefing document published this […]
Cohabitation reform ‘a matter of utmost importance’ ahead of spring consultation
The government has reconfirmed its intention to consult on cohabitation reform in the spring, describing it as a “matter of utmost importance”. Responding to a written question from Liberal Democrat spokesperson Joshua Reynolds, Alex Davies-Jones, the parliamentary under-secretary of state for justice said the consultation would “consider how best to strengthen the rights of cohabitating […]
Court judgments reinforce the importance of financial disclosure on divorce
A family law specialist has highlighted the implications for those going through divorce proceedings following the publication of two significant cases. The first case (MK v SK [2026] EWFC 28) relates to an allegation of non-disclosure of assets by a husband within divorce proceedings. The husband’s presentation was that his assets were ‘almost nil’. The wife […]
‘Property Act removes uncertainty over digital assets’ – Sir Geoffrey Vos
The Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025 has removed legal uncertainty and resolved private law impediments to new technology, Master of the Rolls Sir Geoffrey Vos (pictured) says. Speaking at a reception on 12 March to mark the passing of the Property Act 2025, Sir Vos explained: “The Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025 must […]
Family Solutions Group report calls for children to be at heart of provision
A new report calls for the creation of a Commissioner for Separated Families to represent families in government consultations, coordinate “fragmented” policy and keep the welfare of children at the heart of provision. Currently, four million children are growing up in separated families in the UK. The Family Solutions Group (FSG)’s Putting Children First report says the […]
£1.6m loan was fabricated, court finds in Part III financial remedy proceedings
The High Court has ordered the sale of a former matrimonial home with the wife to receive 90% of the net proceeds, after ruling an alleged loan of £1.6 million had been fabricated by the husband to frustrate her claim. Mr Justice Peel’s decision in Fisayo Olaoluwa Awolowo v Olusegun Samuel Awolowo was handed down […]
New partners enhance specialist areas at three family law firms
New partners have been appointed by Dawson Cornwell, Kingsley Napley and Wedlake Bell, each with extensive experience in specialist areas. Dawson Cornwell has announced the appointment of Russell Bywater (main photo, right) as management partner, succeeding Stephen Harker. Bywater will continue his client practice alongside his new role, having previously headed the firm’s matrimonial department. […]
Government launches digital ID consultation
The Government is seeking views on how digital ID could be used to make public services quicker, easier and more secure to access. Launching a national public consultation, Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime minister, said the government needs to catch up with services offered by the private sector, such as online banking. […]
Family lawyers react as government confirms Courts and Tribunal Bill will repeal presumption of parental involvement
Family lawyers have reacted to the government’s confirmation that the new Courts and Tribunal Bill will repeal the presumption of parental involvement. The “landmark repeal” is in honour of Claire Throssel MBE “and her remarkable campaign to keep children safe,” the Ministry of Justice said in a statement confirming the change. Throssell’s two sons – […]
Economic abuse ‘has role in more than half of domestic abuse deaths’
Economic abuse plays a role in more than half of domestic abuse–related deaths but is routinely overlooked by the agencies, according to a new report. Surviving Economic Abuse analysed 454 domestic homicide reviews (DHR) for its Hidden Risk, Fatal Consequences report. It found that 51% (231 out 454) of abuse-related deaths between 2012 and 2024 […]
Family lawyers warn crypto assets are being concealed
Family lawyers are reporting a rise in cryptocurrency assets featuring in divorce proceedings and how, in some cases, these assets have been concealed by spouses. Digital assets, including cryptocurrency, are a growing part of many financial portfolios. They have also become one of the most complex and contentious elements of modern financial settlements which, if […]
Briefing paper spotlights AI benefits and risks in family justice system
An updated briefing paper from the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory aims to promote discussion about how artificial intelligence could improve the experiences of both professionals and families in the family justice system in the UK. AI in the family justice system – 2026 concludes that “as the capabilities of general-purpose AI continue to evolve at a lightning […]
Government launches independent legal advice service for rape victims
Rape victims will have access to dedicated legal advice throughout the criminal justice process in a new independent legal adviser (ILA) service launched by the government. The ILA service will be launched later this year as part of Operation Soteria, an initiative launched in 2021 to place the suspect’s behaviour at the centre of cases […]
New Youth Justice Board resource highlights ‘complex factors’ shaping harmful behaviour among children
The Youth Justice Board (YJB) has published a new Evidence and Insights Pack examining harmful sexual behaviour, misogyny and violence carried out by children, bringing together the latest research, data and practice examples from across England and Wales. Proven sexual offences by children rose by 47% in 2023-24 and a further 6% in the latest year. While […]
Refuge calls on parliament to plug funding gap that leaves women unsafe at home
Domestic abuse charity Refuge is urgently calling on parliament to plug a £55.5 million a year funding gap its says is leaving women at risk in their own homes. As part of the charity’s Home is Where the Hurt is campaign, Refuge staff, supporters and ambassadors took to the Houses of Parliament with a large coffin-shaped front […]
‘Impossible for LSB to meet objectives’, Legal Services Consumer Panel warns
The Legal Services Consumer Panel has shared its critical response to the Ministry of Justice’s review of the Legal Services Board, claiming its “fragmented and outdated regulatory design” make it impossible to meet its statutory objectives. The Panel – an independent arm of the Legal Services Board – says the LSB is constrained by the […]
SMEs would bear the brunt of proposals to fund access to justice through client accounts – CILEX
Small to medium sized law firms could be unfairly and disproportionately penalised under Ministry of Justice (MoJ) plans to redistribute interest from client accounts to fund access to justice, the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) claims. The proposed Interest on Lawyers’ Client Accounts (ILCA) would represent a “further tax and compliance burden which could […]
SRA pays out £9m to ‘most urgent’ PM Law transactions after receiving 250 applications to compensation fund
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has provided £9 million in compensation to clients of PM Law, which closed unexpectedly at the start of February. The money has been largely used to facilitate property transactions which have been delayed as a result of the closure of the Sheffield law firm and its 20-plus affiliate firms. The […]
Repeal of parental presumption ‘historic victory’, Victims Commissioner says
The Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Claire Waxman OBE, has welcomed the government’s landmark decision to repeal the presumption of parental involvement from the Children Act 1989. The move, included in the new Courts and Tribunals Bill set for its second reading in the House of Commons tomorrow (Tuesday), follows a decade-long campaign by […]