Outdoor civil weddings set to be legalised in England and Wales
From 1st July outdoor civil wedding and partnership ceremonies in England and Wales are set to be legalised, meaning that couples will be allowed to get married for the first time at venues such as beaches, parks, private gardens, cruise ships and outdoor areas of venues that are already licensed. Under existing laws a legal […]
Court and Tribunal Judgements now available via National Archives
The Ministry of Justice today announced that court and tribunal judgments will be available via the National Archives for the first time. The new site will be unveiled next April when the current Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and British and Irish Legal Information Institute (BAILII) contract expires. The MOJ has revealed that court judgments for […]
Private childcare providers exploiting a “broken market”
The Case for Change report published today has called in to question the conduct of private care providers for children. A review led by Josh MacAlister, former schoolteacher and chairman of the government’s review of social care stated that the care of vulnerable children in residential homes is increasingly dominated by large, profiteering providers that […]
New bill to legalise assisted dying proposed at the Scottish Parliament
The Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur introduced the bill which, if successful, would give all terminally ill, mentally competent adults the right to an assisted death. The bill was lodged at Holyrood on 21st June and will be considered in more detail later in the year. Although previous attempts to change legislation related to assisted […]
Calls to change predatory marriage law backed by families
Families who have fallen foul to predatory marriages have backed calls for changes to the law. The issue was brought up by Leeds North East MP Fabian Hamilton during Prime Minister’s Questions. The PM thanked Mr Hamilton for highlighting the injustice suffered by these families and said he would secure a meeting with the justice […]
Cafcass publishes new Domestic Abuse Learning and Improvement Plan
• Cafcass’ Domestic Abuse Learning and Improvement plan has been developed in response to the serious findings of the Ministry of Justice’s Expert Panel on Harm in the Family Courts. • It provides key priorities to strengthen our practice with children and families who have experienced domestic abuse, being clearer about how we explain our […]
CAFCASS figures reveal continuing high levels of cases
Overall summary In May 2021 Cafcass received 4,912 new cases (3.0% or 142 more cases than in May 2020). This is 0.9% or 43 fewer cases than in April 2021. The average daily demand levels in May 2021 was 259 cases per day compared to 251 cases received per day during May 2020. The significant […]
New era for industry leading “Today’s” publications
The industry leading “Today’s” publications enter a new era as owners Chris Harris and Karen Babington step away from the business. Covering three main areas of private client law, conveyancing, wills and probate and family, the three publications have a significant reach and influence in their respective sectors. Managing Director David Opie will take the […]
Review of child protection investigations amid surge in section 47 inquiries
A recent review of child protection investigations conducted by the head of the government’s review of children’s social care, Josh MacAlister, is due to publish a report this week criticising several aspects of the current system. The Case for Change report is expected to highlight a culture of investigating families instead of supporting them, with […]
Minimum Legal Age for Marriage Set to Rise to 18
A private members bill could change the minimum legal age of marriage from 16 to 18 in England and Wales. The bill is to be introduced to Parliament next week by former Home Secretary Said Javid and is part of a wider cross party campaign to eradicate a loophole that enables forced nuptials in children. […]
Appointments to Family Procedure Rule Committee
The Lord Chancellor has announced the appointment of five new members to the Family Procedure Rule Committee and the reappointment of one existing member. The Family Procedure Rule Committee (FPRC) was established under Section 77 of the Courts Act 2003 to make family procedure rules. Its aim is to make clear, easily understandable rules to […]
Family Law from the Cloud: Why Your Firm Needs Cloud-Based Solutions
As of last year, 88% of UK businesses had adopted cloud-based technology. Has your family law firm done so yet for all your practice management needs? Chances are you’re already using some cloud-based technology. Most lawyers use the cloud as part of other internet-related services, whether those be professional or personal: Dropbox, Gmail, Evernote, Facebook, […]
SRA extends post run off cover ahead of consultation
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has decided to extend the Solicitors Indemnity Fund (SIF) by a further year in order to allow consultation on the future of post six-year run-off cover. The extension is subject to an affordability test because the fund is, in economic terms, now deemed beyond the time when a conventional insurance […]
New trade deal with Australia promises opportunities for the legal profession
News the UK has agreed a trade deal with Australia that reflects the importance of market access for services in both economies was welcomed by the Law Society of England and Wales. Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: “The UK-Australia free trade agreement (FTA) can create opportunities for our legal professions to work together […]
Delay in no-fault divorce law is actually good news for couples planning to divorce
It has been announced that there will be a delay to no-fault divorces, which will come into effect on 6 April 2022, instead of this autumn. Boodle Hatfield says this delay, ironically, is good news for couples who are planning to divorce. Under the new law, it will take a statutory minimum of 26 weeks […]
SRA appoints new Head of Welsh Affairs
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has increased its engagement with the legal sector in Wales by appointing its first ever Head of Welsh Affairs. Former Head of Policy at Citizens Advice Cymru, Liz Withers will lead the regulator’s public affairs and stakeholder engagement activities in Wales, including strengthening its understanding of the Welsh legal landscape […]
Financial fibs, how far would you go?
Figures released by Hargreaves Lansdown have revealed the extent couples, both married and unmarried go to when it comes to talking truthfully about financial matters. The survey which received 2,000 responses revealed: Three quarters of couples say they share every detail of their finances with their partner (73%), while 15% agree to keep some aspects […]
Social Media. What NOT to Say – 5 Key Rules
Over the last few months, we have seen a number of stories breaking in the news that have proven fantastic for law firms and others, well not so useful. Social Media can be a hot bed for various discussions, where many opinions can be voiced. People are very passionate over social media, but sometimes that […]
Legal profession casts an eye at an uncertain future
The Law Society of England and Wales has today unveiled the first wave of results from its Future Worlds 2050 project to coincide with the 2021 World Technology Law Conference. The project was set up to enable raw, frank and honest discussions around what clients will need in the future and to think about the […]
Divorcing with cryptocurrency
This article is written by Harriet Errington, Partner and Family Lawyer at Boodle Hatfield. It is an increasingly common dilemma of the digital age; the intentionally anonymous nature of cryptocurrencies make them notoriously difficult to deal with in the context of divorce proceedings. Parties to divorce proceedings in England and Wales are required to make […]