Be Prepared – Surviving The Next Insurance Renewal
This article is reproduced with the kind permission of Enderley Consulting Limited A conversation between Dr Anne Austin, CEO of Enderley Consulting and Jim Brindley of tlorisk, Professional Risk Insurance Specialist Anne caught up with our friend, Jim, professional indemnity insurance broker, to get his views on what law firms should do before their October […]
Royal Assent Given To Divorce, Dissolution & Separartion Bill
On Thursday 25 June 2020, the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill received Royal Assent and became the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020. The new laws mean that divorcing couples no longer have to apportion blame to the other party. Currently, one spouse has to make accusations about the other’s conduct, such as ‘unreasonable behaviour’ […]
Advice For Separated Parents Facing Contact Issues
Hannah Porter from The Family Lawyer Company explained how the Covid-19 virus could cause difficulties for separated parents and contact with their children. At times where the Government is advising that people should be practising social distancing, this will be causing many difficulties for separated parents, especially with blended families. Trying to juggle seeing your […]
Divorcing Couples Citing Adultery Reducing
The Office of National Statistics (ONS) has reported that the number of couples stating adultery as their grounds for divorce has fallen over the past decade. The figures by the ONS are encouraging for family law practitioners as those who make an application under these grounds often have a higher level of animosity and generally […]
Scheme For Court Refunds Now Open
In 2018 a review found that certain proceedings had been unintentionally set above costs leading the Government to announce that people who have been paid too much, are now able to apply for a refund. The refund scheme covers specific fees that the Ministry of Justice has identified as being mischarged, either by the wrong fees being charged or incorrectly applied. The […]
Family Law Departments And Remote Working
Is your law firm prepared for remote working? Bars, restaurants, clubs, gyms and social spaces have been asked to close by the government with all employees advised to work from home wherever possible. With over 7,400 law firms in the UK holding client money and all legal professionals and their workplaces storing extremely sensitive personal […]
Briefing Paper Published On The Duties To Report Child Abuse Or Neglect
The House of Commons Library has published a briefing paper ‘Child protection: Duties to report concerns’. The paper sets out current requirements regarding reporting known or suspected child neglect or abuse, as well as provide information on the whether a mandatory duty to report abuse or neglect should be introduced in England. At present there […]
Extra Funding To Help Vulnerable People Apply For EU Settlement Scheme
The Home Office announced on 6 March 2020 that a further £8 million funding would be made available to help vulnerable EU citizens apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). To date there have been more than 3.2 million applications to the EUSS and nearly 2.9 granted status. The deadline for applications is the 20 […]
Coronavirus Advice For Family Lawyers
The coronavirus – Covid-19 – pandemic has seemingly sent the world into a spin. With people fighting over groceries and toilet roll, organisations and entire countries deciding to lock down, it can be difficult to comprehend what advice to follow. With some countries in complete lockdown, others are taking a more progressive approach. The UK […]
UK Leading The Way In ‘Stalkerware’ Detections
Statistics revealed by Kaspersky have shown that mobile ‘stalkerware’ detections are rising faster in the UK, than anywhere else in the world. It is said that the number of users targeted by ‘stalkerware’ (malicious surveillance apps) jumped 91% from 2018 to 2019 in the UK, a stark contrast to the global figure which only stood […]
Resolution Informs HMCTS Of Online Divorce Application Issues
With the online divorce system now open to all legal professionals, some Resolution members have been experiencing “unacceptable problems” with the service. Juliet Harvey, vice Chair and incoming Chair for Resolution, has been in regular contact with HMCTS regarding the experiences and suggesting improvements. Current issues revolve around the functionality of logins, ability to access and manage cases, […]
Vacation Schemes Being Postponed And Offices Closing
The firm Linklaters has announced that it is postponing its first-year insight scheme due to rising concerns regarding the corona virus outbreak. The firm, described by Legal Cheek as demanding but “top quality” in its training experience, has taken the decision to postpone its first of its two spring insight schemes at its London office, […]
Money Saving Expert Supports New Helpline For Litigants In Person
Founder of website Money Saving Expert and award-winning journalist Martin Lewis has donated nearly £60,000 in aid of a new helpline that helps litigants in person in the family and civil courts. The helpline, set up by charity Support Through Court, formerly the Personal Support Unit, who support people facing court along so “they have […]
Vulnerable Teens And Infants Need More Protection
Following on from the report that a fundamental review is needed into child protection, a further report released by the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel highlights that more needs to be done to protect teenagers and infants from abuse and neglect. The Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel was established in July 2018, and has an […]
Government Plans Further Support In Fight Against Covid-19
The government has announced further proposals to combat the spread of Covid-19, as its enhanced approach to pandemic preparations continues. Further details on proposed measures that are set to be including in an upcoming Covid-19 Emergency Bill, have been outlined, ahead of an expected move from ‘contain’ to ‘delay’. Matt Hancock, Health Secretary, has outlined […]
Fundamental Review Needed Into Child Protection
A panel of government advisers have stated that a forthcoming government review into care, must include a fundamental inquiry into the child protection system. The Safeguarding Practice Review Panel includes Isabelle Trowler, Chief Social Worker for children, and former Children’s Minister Edward Timpson. A report by the panel analysed local reviews of 538 serious child […]
Transgender Man Appeals To Be Registered As Father
Freddy McConnell, a transgender man who gave birth to his child, is fighting a decision made by a High Court Judge, to be legally registered as his child’s “father” or “parent” on the birth certificate. Mr McConnell is appealing the High Court Judge’s decision which was made last year, which stated that a person who […]
HHJ Walker Appointed As Coventry And Warwickshire Family Judge
The President of the Family Division announced last week that HHJ Elizabeth Walker has been appointed as the Designated Family Judge for Coventry and Warwickshire. She will begin her new role on the 13th August 2020. Everyone at Today’s Family Lawyer wish HHJ Walker all the best in her new role.
Police Scotland To Share Data On Offenders
Following pressure from domestic abuse campaigners, Police Scotland has agreed to share data on dangerous offenders, such as those who commit domestic abuse, in order to protect future victims. Senior officers at Police Scotland, had stopped sharing intelligence it had on offenders with charities, councils and the NHS, to prevent GDPR breaches and to adhere […]
Parental Alienation – Loosening The Gordian Knot
Two recent cases, Re A (Children) (Parental Alienation) and In Re H (A Child) (Parental Alienation), have once again highlighted the need for lawyers and courts to be live to the possibility of parental alienation. Sir James Munby, recently called for a, “comprehensive international literature review of all the existing non-legal research into the existence, […]