Reaction to landmark Supreme Court ruling on Standish v Standish
The family law community has been reacting to the landmark Standish v Standish decision in which the Supreme Court dismissed the claims of a wife who contended a near-£80m transfer from her then-husband to her should be considered a matrimonial asset. The case and decision, the detail of which is available to review here, moves […]
1 in 3 say monogamy no longer a ‘realistic’ ideal
Two in five people believe pre-nuptials should be part of standard marriage contracts, while one in three believe monogamy is no longer a ‘realistic’ ideal in modern relationships. The proportions increase in younger adults where those between the ages of 25-34 (59%) were twice as likely to think prenups should come as standard as those […]
Understanding gaslighting and narcissistic behaviour
In this powerful episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast, host David Opie welcomes Shoba Aziz, an experienced barrister at Great James St Chambers, for an important conversation exploring the psychological dimensions of domestic abuse—specifically narcissistic behaviour and gaslighting. Drawing on over 20 years in legal practice, Shoba shares her deep expertise in private child and family law, especially […]
Family justice provides ‘poor value for taxpayers’ says CILEX
The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) has thrown its weight behind criticism of the family courts system describing it as inefficient and “poor value for money for taxpayers” in its response to the Public Accounts Committee consultation. The call for evidence closed earlier this week with CILEX calling for urgent improvements to protect children […]
LAA cyber attack “devastating” on legal aid firms
The cyber attack at the Legal Aid Agency which has taken down many of its system has had a ‘devastating’ effect on the sector, particularly for legal aid firms who simply don’t have the cash flow or reserves to cover salaries and overheads for an extended period. The comment come from Beverley Watkins, Managing Partner […]
Enhancing domestic abuse screening in family mediation
In this episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast host David Opie is joined by Mike Mack, CEO of the Family Mediation Trust, and Lorraine Bramwell, a seasoned family mediator and trainer, to discuss the creation of a new Domestic Abuse Screening Tool. The initiative is a collaboration between the Family Mediation Trust and the […]
A guide to creating content for AI discovery and retrieval
The rules of internet-based marketing are currently transforming in a way we haven’t seen for almost 20 years. Creating your content marketing in a format and style similar to the one you have been using for the last decade may mean your law firm’s website will not be discovered and retrieved by AI Overviews and […]
Navigating mental health in family law
The impact on mental health for all involved in family law cannot be ignored: Litigants’ lives are invaded in the most fundamental manner by the State; mental health is weakened in all but a few cases. The long-term mental health of children who are the subject of court proceedings is significantly worsened by those proceedings. […]
The case for a trauma-informed approach to family law
Too often, divorce is approached as a legal or logistical battle, without adequately accounting for the emotional weight that sits behind every meeting, every phone call, and every decision. The focus in the family court system tends to be on resolution – who gets what, who lives where, how finances are split. But by focussing […]
Chartered lawyer adds ‘another layer of confusion and complexity’ – Law Society hit back
The Law Society of England and Wales has hit back at the introduction of a ‘CILEX Chartered Paralegal’ as part of amendments to CILEX’s Royal Charter which provides formal recognition for CILEX paralegals. The Law Society has described the change as adding ‘another layer of confusion and complexity for consumers’ and fundamentally disagrees with the […]
Insights from new book: How listening, not talking, can transform co-parenting
In her latest book The Co-Parenting Method: Six Steps to Raise Happy Kids After Separation and Divorce, family communication expert Marcie Shaoul delivers a powerful message – “when we change the way we speak with our co-parent, we change the whole dynamic of the conversation”. The Co-Parent Way is a co-parenting methodology developed by Shaoul; […]
The Evolving Landscape of Legal Recruitment and Employment
The legal sector, traditionally known for its steadfastness, is undergoing a profound transformation. As a recruitment agency specialising in this dynamic field, we’ve witnessed firsthand the seismic shifts reshaping how firms attract, retain, and engage talent. Three months into our journey, we’re sharing our insights on the evolving landscape. One of the most polarising debates […]
Splitting hairs: Cut off levels and consistency in hair strand testing
In the latest episode of the podcast, host David Opie sits down with James Nutt, Laboratory Operations Manager at Cansford Laboratories, to explore a fresh perspective on the use of hair strand testing in the family courts. This episode delves into the complexities behind what many might see as a straightforward scientific process. James offers […]
Children Law in the Global Mobility Space
Global mobility is on the rise. It is increasingly a key element of strategy for businesses and individuals alike. For businesses there are several key driving factors, for example in the face of economic uncertainty looking to scale into new geographies where costs are lower. The ability to move top talent across borders is crucial […]
Helliwell v Entwistle Live
The Court of Appeal heard the case of Helliwell (respondent) v Entwistle (appellant) and many lawyers had the benefit of watching the livestream of the hearing via the Court of Appeal website. Mr Entwistle seeks to appeal a final order made by Mr Justice Francis on 15 March 2024 which required his ex-wife (Ms Helliwell) […]
One Lawyer, One Solution: The Rise of Resolution Together
The concept of one lawyer representing two clients is not a new one but is currently in the spotlight thanks to Resolution. They have been campaigning for their model, Resolution Together, which is now widely recognised, for some years and is now part of our day-to-day practice. At first I will admit that I had […]
Gifts from the family of an ex-spouse: Blood is not always thicker than water
Disputes about the categorisation and treatment of funds advanced by family members to a spouse arise often in financial remedy proceedings. In P v Q (Financial Remedies) [2022] EWFC B9 His Honour Judge Hess provided guidance to distinguish between gifts and loans. To qualify as a gift, the advance of money generally requires the animus […]
Family Law Dilemma: Paternalism versus Autonomy
Introduction In recent years, family law has witnessed a growing commitment to principles of individual autonomy, especially in the context of the law surrounding financial settlement upon divorce. There has been a discernible move from paternalistic concerns for welfare, towards embracing and promoting ideas of personal responsibility and economic self-sufficiency. Both concepts have their own […]
Rewriting Retirement: The Impact of Pension Sharing Orders on unemployed women
This year marks the 25th anniversary of pension sharing orders in this country. While this date may not loom large in many calendars, this date marked a fundamental shift in family law. Unfortunately, despite their usefulness, pension orders have not become widespread. A 2021 Manchester University report highlighted the difficulties pensions can cause as part of divorce proceedings, […]
200 Years of the Law Society – A Moment to Reflect about Legal Aid
By Richard Atkinson, President of the Law Society of England and Wales The 200th anniversary of the Law Society of England and Wales marks an occasion to celebrate but also to reflect on the continued erosion of legal aid, our recent wins and the urgent need for sustainability. Legal aid seems as if it has […]
