Covid-19 accelerates changes to Domestic Abuse Toolkit for Employers
The pandemic has forced the Domestic Abuse Toolkit for Employers to be re-evaluated and changed. The insurance Charities, which drives action against domestic abuse has announced that the Domestic Abuse Toolkit for Employees will be updated due to the Covid-19. The charity commissioned the original Toolkit and this update, driven by a recognition that the […]
New member on the Family Procedures Rules Committee
There has been a new member announced on the Family Procedures Rules Committee (FPRC). Graeme Fraser, a member of Resolution’s National Committee is “honoured and privileged to have been selected to serve” on the FPRC. The FPRC set and maintain the rules of court for all family proceedings as well as the supporting Practice Directions. […]
4 Tips to Better Client Relationships
Your clients trust you in some of the most important times of their lives—when dealing with separation, divorce, custody, and a range of other matters that can have profound effects on their family unit. As such, it is essential that you consider how effectively you’re managing your client relationships. In fact, if managing client relationships […]
What is the Parenting Apart Programme all about?
Dr Paul Walton is the Training and a Programme Developer on the Parenting Apart Programme (PAP). As a Clinical Psychologist specialising in working with children who’ve experienced relational trauma and a Systemic Family Therapist specialising in emotional driven communication within families, I was asked to join the Parenting Apart Team to ensure the programme maintained […]
No-Fault Divorce Delayed to 2022
The implementation of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act has been delayed until 6 April 2022, to the dismay of family practitioners who had hoped the reforms would be implemented this autumn after previous Government commitments. The reason for the delay is to allow sufficient time for the digital arm of the service to be […]
Couples will no longer need to play the blame game, when it comes to divorce
Last year, The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 was given Royal Assent and will now come into force on 6th April 2022. This new Act means couples will no longer need to attribute blame to get divorced if they agree that their marriage has sadly broken down. Whilst the Act is now law, there […]
March divorce applications 21% higher than January
Typically, the media cite that January is ‘divorce month’ something that is propelled due to people setting themselves New Year’s Resolutions of a new year, new start. Those in the family law sector has strongly opposed this perception and have taken numerous stances to demonstrate that new year resolutions don’t produce high divorce levels. According […]
Growing ‘Petnups’ trend for couples
A family law firm have identified a growing trend of couples taking out ‘petnups’ when buying a pet. A quarter of breakups involve a pet, but only one in six would consider pre-agreed terms for their pet in the event of a break-up when buying a dog with their partner. Stowe Family Law, the UK’s […]
HMCTS operational position: weekly summary update
HMCTS have updated their operational summary for week commencing Monday 7th June 2021. Updated: Last week we opened a new Nightingale court at the Mercure Maidstone. The court provides two non-custodial crown courtrooms for jury trials. As with all our Nightingale courts, the court has been set up on a temporary basis to provide additional […]
New UK trade deal provides for cross-border legal services
News the UK can begin the process of joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) was today welcomed by the Law Society of England and Wales. Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: “Entry to the CPTPP will provide important benefits for the UK services sector given the number of UK businesses […]
Lawyers virtually celebrate #LegalPride2021
The legal professions of England and Wales – solicitors, barristers and CILEX lawyers – will again mark Pride virtually, with an ‘Untold Pride’ theme. The Law Society of England and Wales, the Bar Council of England and Wales and CILEX (The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives) will encourage their members to tell their stories – […]
Highlights of Lord Chief Justice’s judiciary discussion
When giving evidence at Parliament’s Committee recently, the Lord Chief Justice discussed the effect of the pandemic on the courts, modernisation of the courts service, legal aid funding, judicial diversity and recruitment. Highlights from the evidence: On Covid-19 Lord Chief Justice said: “For all of us, it’s quite difficult to think back to the time […]
Cost Orders in Family Law : A costly business
Grainne Fahy, partner and IAFL fellow and Head of Family Law at BLM law firm talks about cost orders in family law, how compliance and failure to negotiate sensibly are causing issues where they didn’t in the past and the cost consequences for unnecessary litigation. There always seemed to be much less jeopardy in family […]
Financial Remedies : Reattribution Revisited
Stephen Murray, Barrister at 18 St John Street Chambers discusses the law of reattribution in financial remedies and how it may impact on a needs based. The law on reattribution used to be fairly clear and (importantly) unequivocal Martin v Martin [1976] 3 All ER 625 at 629 per Cairns LJ “another question which arose […]
Legal regulators must better understand the impact of diversity programmes
The Legal Services Board (LSB) urges legal regulators to do more to understand what is and is not working to improve the diversity and inclusion in the sector and focus on what is making a meaningful difference for professionals and consumers. This follows the LSB’s publication of the independent report it commissioned from the Bridge […]
Free Webinar: Life as a Boutique Law Firm Office Manager
The day of a law firm office manager is a busy one. In addition to making sure that the day-to-day things run smoothly, you’re also expected to be the face of the firm and the person making sure both staff and clients are happy and well taken care of. If the above description sounds […]
Professional indemnity insurance policies must provide clarity on cyber-related risks
The Law Society has today voiced its support of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) as it consults on proposed changes to the minimum terms and conditions (MTCs) for professional indemnity insurance (PII) policies so they’re clearer on cyber-related risks. The SRA’s consultation response is in reaction to demands from the insurance industry for PII policies […]
HMCTS Court Portals Update from Resolution’s National Chair
Juliet Harvey, National Chair of Resolution gives an update on HMCTS Court Portals. Lots of our members have been very concerned with issues about Court portals. I have spoken with the President and have written to HHJ Roberts, National Lead for Divorce and HHJ Hess, lead for Financial Remedies about the recent issues. They in […]
Well-being award added to Family Law Awards
The Family Law Awards have added a Well-being award to this year’s category list, to shine a spotlight on the resilience of the family law sector. The award will recognise the family law firm, chambers or other legal organisation, which has demonstrated the strongest commitment to providing or promoting a working environment that supports the mental […]
SRA abandons plans to reduce grants from Compensation Fund
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has abandoned its plans to reduce the maximum grants made from the Compensation Fund. This u-turn has been welcomed by The Law Society for England and Wales. A spokesperson for the Law Society commented: “We are pleased to hear that the SRA has decided not to reduce the single claim […]