White v White: 20 years on from seminal farming divorce case
This blog has been posted on Kinglsey Napley’s website Farming divorces hold a special place in the heart of family lawyers as the landmark divorce case of White v White [2000] was that of a farming family. Twenty years on, this case remains one which fundamentally changed the landscape in which we operate, how we […]
Two-fold rise in scam alerts since the start of the year
Law firms and individual practitioners across all sectors of the legal profession have been bombarded with scams while attempting to recover from the pandemic. The legal industry has been under attack over the last few months as the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) have reported on a spike of scam alerts. Alarmingly, during the three-month period […]
Newly published book explains Family Law on leaving the EU
A new textbook published this week entitled ‘Family law leaves the EU: A summary guide for practitioners’ has been written by one of the world’s leading family lawyers, Prof David Hodson OBE MCI Arb. It sets out the law from 1 January 2021 when EU laws no longer apply. Crucially it also explains the transitional […]
Family sector sadly loses a leading matrimonial lawyer
The head of the children department with London firm Dawson Cornwell, Anne-Marie Hutchinson, has sadly died on 2 October after an illness. After the firm she worked at, Dawson Cornwell, recently announced the news, tributes have been flooding in for her. Anne-Marie was described as “one of the leading matrimonial lawyers of our time,” “the […]
Legal profession hits significant gender parity threshold
Chambers and Partners’ annual rankings show legal profession hits gender parity for up-and-coming lawyers for first time in rankings history. Chambers’ 2021 solicitor rankings show that newly ranked up-and-coming lawyers – those attaining partner level – have broken the 50% threshold, with 51.07% female/48.93% male, an almost 8% jump compared to last year’s figures. Female […]
Share your views with Resolution
Following on from World Mental Health day, Resolution have launched a well-being programme in a bid to understand the stresses and strains of family practitioners. Professionals are encouraged to share their views in the organisations survey which closes on 15 November. More information about the initiative can be found here.
Solicitors asked to check protection following SIF closure postponement
As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the closure of new claims to the Solicitors’ Indemnity Fund (SIF) has been postponed until 30 September 2021. Although, the postponement gives solicitors another 12 months breathing space. Simon Davis, President of the Law Society of England and Wales has revealed that this doesn’t resolve “the underlying problem” […]
Online meeting software – which is best?
The sudden requirement to use online meeting software was originally met with panic buying. Firms rushed just to get up and running, but now, six months into the pandemic, firms are reconsidering those initial decisions. So, is that software service good for the future? Products There is a plethora of meeting applications out there and […]
Price transparency review reveals solicitors are more affordable
A one-year review of Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) transparency reforms indicates encouraging trends as research found most consumers now believe that solicitors are not as expensive as they originally thought. The regulator surveyed 3,539 recent users of legal services and found that only 10% of consumers, who now have access to information on price, believe […]
Resolution’s 2019 Annual Review highlights
Resolution, a community of family justice professionals who work with families and individuals to resolve issues in a constructive way, shares their 2019 annual review and applauds their members by saying their successes are down to them. They were pleased to share their achievements from last year with the help and continued commitment of their […]
OLC appoint new Chief Ombudsman and Chief Operating Officer
The Office for Legal Complaints is pleased to announce the appointments of Paul McFadden as Chief Ombudsman and Sandra Strinati as Chief Operating Officer of the Legal Ombudsman. Elisabeth Davies, Chair of OLC, said: “Paul and Sandra are joining the Legal Ombudsman at a critically important time, for staff and customers, and for recovering and […]
Sir Andrew McFarlane gives his guidance on statement of truth replacing affidavits
The Rt. Hon. Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division and Head of Family Justice has issued guidance relating to the replacement of affidavits with statements of truth in non-contentious probate processes. President’s guidance This guidance is issued to assist the courts and practitioners in relation to the use of statements of truth as […]
Family President warns of ‘fatigue and demoralisation’ among practitioners
Family lawyers were urged this week at Resolution’s Future of Family Practice Online Conference to prioritise their mental health and wellbeing. The President of the Family Division praised the ‘can do’ approach of family lawyers through the pandemic but warned of a fatigue and demoralisation endemic across the sector. The intervention comes as Resolution launches […]
Update – making C100 applications
Child Arrangements Order, Prohibited Steps and Specific Issue Order applications The online C100 application can now be used by all applicants and their legal representatives. Wherever possible please use the online child arrangements service on GOV.UK to avoid delay. You can now pay online. More guidance on child arrangements is available on GOV.UK. Urgent applications […]
Advice regarding mergers & acquisitions in a covid world
The coronavirus understandably changed life as we know it, putting many things on hold. Whilst many people were able to work from home during the pandemic, helping their firm run ‘business as usual’, the strategic direction of the firm, especially those considering merging or acquiring another firm, had to understandably go on ice. I spent […]
Cafcass Learning and Improvement Board terms of reference published
Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) has published it’s terms of reference for it’s Learning and Improvement Board. The newly formed board has the aim of overseeing the improvement programme for the organisations work with children and families who have experienced domestic abuse. Co-chaired by Cathy Ashley, Chief Executive of Family Rights […]
LawTech, ethics and the rule of law discussion paper calls on the profession
Against the backdrop of Legal Geek’s annual virtual conference, the Law Society of England and Wales this week launched its LawTech, Ethics and the Rule of Law discussion paper, which seeks views on the ethical considerations solicitors and firms have in designing or procuring LawTech solutions. In the face of the disruption caused by Covid-19, […]
The challenges around home working for Family Lawyers
Since the arrival of Covid-19 and lockdown there has been a lot of discussion and articles about home working. Much of this has focused on home working from the viewpoint of the individual – should I use Teams or Zoom, isn’t it nice not having to commute and travel, how do I avoid embarrassing distractions […]
Isolation worries for Family Lawyers fearing second lockdown
The news is full of speculation of lockdown, whether national or local and family lawyers are starting to feel isolated. They also feel less connected to peers and colleagues within the legal community a poll conducted by Resolution discovered. 65% of family lawyers who responded to the poll said they felt less connected to the […]
Three tier Covid restrictions system announced by PM
Boris Johnson has addressed both Parliament and the nation today as he’s outlined his latest measures in a bid to simplify and standardize the rules regarding the Coronavirus restrictions implemented in England. The cases of coronavirus has quadrupled in the past four weeks, and the Prime Minister wants to do all he can to protect […]