How has the Budget affected families?
Linzi Perriman, an Associate Solicitor in Weightmans’ family law team, talks about the impact the recent Budget will have on families. Millions of Britons were expecting tax increases when the Spring 2021 budget was announced, but Chancellor Rishi Sunak opted for a more measured approach. Many families believe they’re unaffected, but is that the case? […]
The important decision in AZ v FM [2021] and capitalised child maintenance
![The important decision in AZ v FM [2021] and capitalised child maintenance](https://todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/mother-and-children-playing-P45DV9V.jpg)
Camilla Hooper, Associate, at law firm Cripps Pemberton Greenish has shared her views on the important decision made in AZ v FM [2021] by Mostyn J. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many families are sadly suffering financial hardship as a result of reductions in income or redundancy and job loss. During difficult economic times, […]
Does my child have to be vaccinated for COVID-19?
Kendra McKinney, who is a Family Law Partner at BLM, looks at recent Family Court decisions on childhood vaccination. One of the reasons why discussions over vaccinating has become so contentious is because it strikes at the heart of an issue parents feel strongly about – what is in their child’s best interests? When more […]
Content is Key
As the saying goes content is key, and it continues to be so as we move through 2021. Content delivery is an invaluable tool for any business and there are lots of new trends and considerations around to keep an eye on to ensure you stay at the forefront. Trends wise Google is a lot […]
Courts take steps to be more “Covid-secure”
HM Courts & Tribunals Service are taking additional steps to ensure that courts are more “Covid-secure.” The announcement that five court sites will offer home testing kits comes after staff at Liverpool Law Courts and Snaresbrook Crown Court backed industrial action following a ballot by The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS). PCS general secretary […]
HMCTS operational position : weekly summary updates
HMCTS have updated their operational summary for week commencing Monday 8th March 2021. -Updated: We have opened a Nightingale Court at Birmingham Maple House, which provides 4 additional courtrooms for Crown, Civil and Family work. We have also opened a Nightingale Court in Barbican, London, which provides 2 additional courtrooms for Crown Court work. -Jurors […]
Law Society raise fresh concerns over court safety
News London’s Isleworth Crown Court failed a Covid safety inspection by the Health and Safety Executive has prompted the Law Society of England and Wales to remind HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) of the need for safety policies to be put fully into effect to ensure access to justice in a safe environment. Law […]
PII renewals, what’s to come?
Legal Eye MD Paul Saunders talks to Howdens Executive Director Martin Ellis and Divisional Director Colin Taylor about the impact of the pandemic on Professional Indemnity Insurance for law firms. As firms prepare for renewal points in April or October, this short video outlines some of the key trends amongst insurers and offers some tips […]
Family Division President endorses Public Law Working Group
The President of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane, has welcomed and endorsed the publication of the President’s Public Law Working Group (PLWG) report. He said: “The report and its recommendations are the fruits of intense and extensive collaborative work by professionals from all of the sectors working on child protection cases in the Family […]
Budget 2021 : Millions for domestic abuse programmes
The coronavirus pandemic has ripped a hole in the UK’s finances, and we all know that steps need to be taken to begin to set the UK on the right path once again, now there is light at the end of the lockdown tunnel. Addressing Parliament, Chancellor Rishi Sunak, focused on the roadmap and the […]
Covid-19 – jurisdictional impact on a couple’s ability to get divorced
Kendra McKinney, Family Law Partner at BLM in England & Wales and Caroline Gillespie, Family Law Partner at BLM in Scotland discuss the impact of the pandemic on couple’s ability to get divorced across England & wales and Scottish jurisdictions. Overall UK-wide observations Some may assume that when a spouse or civil partner consults a […]
Law Society President to step aside this month
The President of The Law Society, the independent professional body that works globally to support and represent solicitors, promoting the highest professional standards, the public interest and the rule of law, will be stepping aside in his role from 19th March. David Greene statement: “In the past few weeks, a long-running issue to do with […]
HMCTS operational position : weekly summary updates
HMCTS have updated their operational summary for week commencing Monday 1st March 2021. -Updated: Next week we’re opening a Nightingale Court at Birmingham Maple House, which will provide 4 additional courtrooms for Crown, Civil and Family work. We’re also opening a Nightingale Court in Barbican, London, which will provide 2 additional courtrooms for Crown Court […]
How has child maintenance been impacted by Covid19?
When parents separate, the needs of their children are supposed to be always put front and centre. Sadly, this is not always the case. There may be little the custodial parent can do about an ex-partner’s lack of emotional engagement with their children. There should, however, be a lot they can do about failure to […]
LSB opens debate on improving transparency of the quality of legal services
New research from the Legal Services Board provides insights into the challenges people face when comparing and choosing legal services providers. This is partly because they lack the knowledge of what they need or how legal services work, and partly because the information is hard to find, inconsistent or non-existent. Sixty-nine members of the public […]
MyHMCTS Updates: How to use online divorce services
The latest updates from MyHMCTS. HM Court and Tribunals services have updated their online divorce services with the addition of guides for Deemed and Dispensed Service Applications, Alternative Service Journey and General Applications and Responding to an Acknowledgment of Service for represented respondents. For updates click here.
MyHMCTS Updates: How to use online financial remedy services
The latest updates from MyHMCTS. How to use online financial remedy services HM Court and Tribunals services have updated their online financial remedy services by adding share a case information which includes new screens and guidance. Last month HMCTS also updated versions of Onboarding guidance (consent and contested). For updates click here.
The legal position of unmarried parents
Rachel Freeman, partner at Kingsley Napley LLP discusses the legal position of unmarried parents. Although English law does not have the concept of the “common law” husband or wife, if an unmarried couple has a child or children, the legal position is set out in the Children Act 1989. Parental responsibility An adult can make […]
A Parenting Apart Programme that puts children first
A Parenting Apart Programme (PAP) has been specifically designed to bring children’s emotional wellbeing to the forefront by supporting those parents going through conflict, divorce or separation. The needs of children who are caught in the middle of separating parents are more often not met because the parent’s communication has completely broken down and battling […]
Nuffield FJO seek professional views about supervision orders
Nuffield Family Justice Observatory (Nuffield FJO) has launched a brand new consultation this month about supervision orders and their use in care proceedings. The launch of the supervision order survey is seeking views in relation to “those cases where a stand-alone supervision order was made in relation to at least one of the children involved […]