Reflections and reform: Grant Cameron on leading Resolution
This episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer podcast features host David Opie in conversation with Grant Cameron – family lawyer, mediator, collaborative practitioner, and a partner at Trethowans. Grant recently concluded his tenure as Chair of Resolution, having led the organization during a transformative post-COVID period marked by significant legislative and cultural shifts. He reflects on the implementation of no fault divorce […]
Interest rate fall the “starting gun” for divorcing couples?
The Bank of England’s decision to reduce interest rates to 4% in recent weeks could signal the ‘starting gun’ for couples looking to divorce speculates one family law professional. Judit Kerese, Associate at Stowe Family Law has suggested the fall could precipitate a ‘rush’ of couples looking to finalise their financial settlements with some couples […]
The marketing mistakes family law firms are making that are costing them £3,000+ a month
If your firm’s getting clicks but not clients, chances are it’s not your ads, it’s your approach. With SEO, PPC, and social media competing for your marketing budget, it’s easy to throw money at platforms like Google Ads, hoping something will stick. But when campaigns aren’t set up with structure or strategy, what you’re really […]
When pressure undermines protection: What a £230m divorce teaches us about post-nups
A recent, headline-grabbing divorce settlement — valued at over £230 million — has served as more than just tabloid fodder. Ranking as the third-highest financial award in English divorce history, the case shines a spotlight on the fragile legal footing of post-nuptial agreements, especially when one party exerts dominance over the other. The couple had […]
Supreme Court judgment impacts on future tax and estate planning
The Supreme Court’s recent decision on Standish v Standish [2025] UKSC 26 on 2 July 2025 has garnered much interest not only from the UK press but also tax advisers and estate planners for its implications on future wealth planning, in particular in relation to pre-marital assets and inheritances. Whilst the case arose from the […]
The evolving language of family law; and how we can play our part
In this episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer podcast, host David Opie welcomes Sally Robinson, partner and head of the HCR Law Family Team in Central England. Broadcasting from the Northampton office, Sally brings over two decades of legal experience to a timely discussion on how language in family law is evolving. Sally reflects on the landmark shift introduced by no-fault divorce, calling […]
Standish v Standish – how a landmark separation shows the importance of collaboration and fairness
The Supreme Court’s decision in Standish v Standish brings long-awaited clarity to the treatment of non-matrimonial assets on divorce – welcome news for family lawyers, tax advisers, and estate planners. How did we get here? Mr Standish entered the marriage with substantial pre-acquired wealth. In 2017, following estate and tax planning advice, he transferred investments worth £77.8 […]
Standish v Standish – what does this mean for tax planning?
Last week the Supreme Court delivered its in Standish v Standish [2025] UKSC 26. The case examined the concepts of “matrimonial” or “non-matrimonial” assets when considering financial orders on divorce. Assets which are matrimonial are subject to the sharing principle, whereas non-matrimonial assets are not. In 2017, Mr Standish transferred investments worth £77.8m to his […]
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 […]