New survey shows strong business confidence in legal sector
Small and medium sized law firms saw a strong first quarter in 2021, with around half seeing an increase in the number of new matters, chargeable hours recorded and fees billed, the Law Society of England and Wales said as it published the Law Management Section’s first Quarterly Pulse Survey. The survey provides a timely […]
Movers and Shakers – 14th May
Here at Today’s Family Lawyer, we wanted to share with you the good news we’ve had within in the industry of professionals joining firms and those who have moved up the promotional ladder. This week we’ve seen the following announcement with regards to appointments and promotions…… Further expansion for Simpson Millar Family Law team with […]
One in four contemplate leaving family law
A quarter of family justice professionals are on the verge of quitting the profession as the toll of lockdown on their mental health becomes clear, the family law group Resolution revealed today, ahead of the release of a landmark well-being report. Over 1,200 family law practitioners surveyed for the report, which will be published next […]
Moving to a hybrid workplace
Join us for the legal services event aimed at preparing law firms for the relaxing of lockdown restrictions in the UK. The time has come to embrace a hybrid working model and set your partners and fee earners up for success. Date & Time: 25/05/2021, 10am (duration 2 hrs incl. Q&A) The UK Government has […]
Chair of Law Society Family Committee shares her insight
Mena Ruparel is chair of the Law Society Family Committee, arbitrator (financial) and a consultant solicitor. She has authored two handbooks for the Law Society about Matrimonial Finance, she regularly writes and lectures on family law matters. She is a member of the Pension Advisory Group and helped to write The Guide to Pensions on […]
Mental health and well-being – how are you feeling?
Mental health and stress have been phrases that we’ve heard regularly over the course of this pandemic, and people have all been affected in different ways, and this week mark’s Mental Health Awareness Week. With this in mind, we would like to see how our readers are feeling. We know the last 12 months have […]
Resolution ‘Firms of the Future’ project calls on family law experts
Resolution have launched ‘Firms of the Future’, a special project by Resolution’s Innovation Group, which will bring together all the practices, technologies and platforms family practitioners are using to help them succeed during the pandemic and beyond. The project is underway and they have already received 150 responses. Early results of the project will be […]
Responding to a Cyber Security Breach
Continuing with our compliance theme, Matthew Locker, a Cyber Security Consultant at Apstorm has shared his ideas on how law firms can remain compliant in the modern world. The legal sector is rich in sensitive data and financial transactions, unfortunately, this makes it an attractive target for many cyber actors including, criminals, activists and possibly […]
Cafcass seek external members for Research Advisory Committee
Cafcass is looking for additional external members with significant experience in family justice research to join its Research Advisory Committee. The committee is responsible for reviewing and providing advice to Cafcass on external and internal research applications that are looking for access to our case-related data, or are interested in speaking to Cafcass staff and/or […]
3 Ways Family Lawyers can improve mental health and well-being
This week is Mental Health Awareness week–and few people are more aware of how important positive mental health and well-being is than family law practitioners. Heavy workloads, dealing with sensitive and often emotionally difficult cases, and long work hours can all contribute to stress and burnout for family law solicitors. While there is no silver […]
Family law marked as ‘stable’ area of litigation
A recent LexisNexis report has shown that the legal industry saw a strong rebound in Q2 2020, following the pandemic. However, the report notes that full recovery is still some way off. The report found that family had been and will continue to be an insulated area of litigation. The successful implementation of technology has […]
HMCTS operational position: weekly summary update
HMCTS have updated their operational summary for week commencing Monday 10th May 2021. Updated: We encourage all users to access testing available to them. Home tests are now available from all English and Welsh courts and tribunal sites and will be offered to all professional court users, legal professionals, judiciary, contractors, jurors, witness services and […]
Coronavirus roadmap update: hugs back on the menu!
England is continuing with its coronavirus roadmap, with some restrictions being lifted on the 17th May 2021. PM Boris Johnson announced the details in a press conference this evening after the alert level of coronavirus was dropped from 4 to 3. The UK’s vaccination rate has been rolled out at great speed with many of […]
Changes to marriage certificates see both parents named
Changes to marriage certificates in England and Wales will include both parent’s names in a change that the Home Office says would “correct a historical anomaly”. From the start of this week, 4th May 2021, both parents of the bride and groom will now be recorded on the marriage certificate. This change will have a […]
Leveraging LinkedIn
Not long to go… We are gearing up for our next webinar which takes place Thursday 13th May, in which we will be discussing all things LinkedIn with our guest Rich Dibbins. Rich, joins us from Staxton Digital, and comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to marketing for the legal […]
Court of Appeal says care and special guardianship orders can coexist (and be made together)
On 30th April 2021, the Court of Appeal handed down judgment in the case of Re F and G (Discharge of Special Guardianship Order). The two key issues considered by the Court were whether as a matter of law care and special guardianship orders (SGO) can coexist and, if they can, whether in the circumstances […]
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 – transformational legislation or a missed opportunity?
Following the passing of Domestic Abuse Bill recently, Celestine Greenwood, a barrister at Exchange Chambers discusses the question with family law professionals as to whether the legislation is transformational or a missed opportunity. The much-vaunted, much-challenged and bedeviled, and long-awaited Domestic Abuse Bill was finally passed into law with the granting of Royal Assent last […]
Website Transparency – Haven’t we done this already?
As part of our ‘Technical Corner’ we want to bring you information that will help you to continue to learn and grow in your career. This month’s technical corner article comes from Amy Bell, Director of Teal Compliance. We have seen an increase in the enquiries we have had about compliance with the Transparency Rules. […]
Industry reaction to landmark Domestic Abuse Bill
A week today, the landmark Domestic Abuse Bill passed both Houses of Parliament and was signed into law. The Bill, which is one of 16 Bills which have received Royal Assent head of the prorogation of Parliament, will provide protection to millions of people who experience domestic abuse and strengthens measures to tackle perpetrators. Industry […]
What Score Does Your Family Law Website Get?
What makes a strong and effective family law firm website? There are three basics you need to know: You need to be found online, build trust with clients, and easily lead them to contact you about your services. And this should all happen on a crisp, beautiful website that best represents your law firm’s brand. […]