Ampla Finance Legal Appoints Family Law Veteran Nigel Shepherd As Adviser
The appointment of ex-Chair of Resolution and National Head of Family Law at Mills & Reeve demonstrates growing collaboration between family law and litigation funders. Legal financing company Ampla Finance Legal have today announced the appointment of Nigel Shepherd, National Head of Family Law at Mills & Reeve, as adviser. Nigel brings over 35 years […]
Appeal Court Ruling Leaves Muslim Women In Limbo
Last week saw a judgement that brought a blow to thousands of Muslim women, that meant they were not afforded any rights when it came to divorce. There had been some hope on an earlier ruling that stated that an Islamic marriage, a Nikah, was considered a marriage under English matrimonial law. However, the judgement […]
Urgent Measures Proposed For Vulnerable Children In Care
Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, announces new plan which sees a ban on vulnerable children being placed in unregulated accommodation. In order to improve the quality of children’s social care, it will become illegal to put children under the age of 16 in unregulated housing. In addition, strict measures will be put in place to ensure […]
Court Extends Application Of Hadkinson Orders
The recent case of HR v DS [2019] EWHC 2425 (Fam) appears to have extended the availability of the Hadkinson order in the family court. The basics of a Hadkinson order application A Hadkinson order prevents a party pursuing an aspect of their case, or their case at all, unless they remedy their continuing and […]
Happy Valentine’s Day – The Romance Scammers Are Lurking!
Despite the law aiming to protect the vulnerable from becoming victims of fraud, myriad loopholes still allow criminal elements to prey and exploit those unable to protect themselves and those looking to satisfy one of our most primal urges – finding love. In recent years, predatory marriages are still prospering from outdated legal systems and […]
Magic Circle Law Firm Reveals High Retention In Qualifying Trainees
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s head count keeps growing as they retain nearly all of their qualifying trainees for Spring 2020. Founded back in 1743, the firm has confirmed it will retain 90 per cent of its newly qualified talent by making offers to 36 out its 39 qualifiers. Legal Cheek said that: “Freshfields became the first […]
Today’s Family Lawyer’s First Roundtable Arrives In Birmingham
Today’s Family Lawyer were delighted to host their first roundtable in Birmingham yesterday to discuss key sector news and shine a spotlight on the industry. Following the successful launch of Today’s Family Lawyer back in the summer of 2019, we have followed in the footsteps of our sister legal news publications, Today’s Conveyancer and Today’s […]
Should HMCTS Fund Lay Advocates?
Mr Justice Keehan, a High Court family judge, has ordered HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) to fund lay advocates to help support intellectually impaired parents in a court hearing about their child. These lay advocates would take the necessary steps to help the parents of the child understand every aspect of the proceedings. Funding […]
Consultation To Extend Time Limit On Frozen Gametes
Under current rules, a woman’s choice to delay having children is being restricted, causing heart-breaking decisions when the time limit on storing her frozen eggs comes to an end. The Government however are calling for views on whether the current limit of 10-years, should be extended. At present, the time limit for storing frozen eggs, […]
Spotlight On The National Youth Advocacy Service
2019 saw the 30th Anniversary of the Children Act 1989 as well as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS) National Helpline. Over the last 30 years there has been a great amount of improvement in the welfare and lives of children, one that NYAS looks to maintain and expand, providing independent […]
Predatory Marriage And Probate
The concept of ‘predatory marriage’ may not mean a great deal to English lawyers, and certainly not probate practitioners, but with an aging population, and legislation in apparent need of reform, the harm caused by predatory marriage seems set to increase and can have serious and permanent testamentary effects. The term ‘predatory marriage’ is generally […]
Coming Out As Gay After A Heterosexual Marriage
The news that Philip Schofield has come out as gay, spread like wildfire through news outlets. The 57-year-old, loveable presenter has witnessed countless people from all walks of life, arrive on his ‘This Morning’ sofa and tell their stories of their personal bravery and struggles, whilst battling his own personal struggle. The presenter stated that […]
Protecting Yourself Against Probate Fraud
Did you know that probate fraud costs in the region of £150m a year? That’s the figure provided by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). It’s no surprise that this type of fraud can be committed both by members of the family, but also by organised criminals who use various methods to divert […]
Legal Aid Is Overwhelmingly Supported By The Public
Marking the recent anniversary of the government’s review of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LAPSO), The Law Society confirmed that the public are strongly in support of legal aid. The Law Society President, Simon Davis said: “Our legal needs survey with the Legal Services Board shows a huge 92% of […]
Funding Boost For Rape And Sexual Assault Victims
Victims of rape and sexual assault will receive a 50% funding boost to help with specialist support services. The boost to fund for victims of rape and sexual abuse across England and Wales will benefit from the increase to funding, which will see a total of £32 million over 3 years, going to rape support […]
Winners Announced For Modern Law Awards 2020
Impressionist Jon Culshaw welcomed and entertained the swathes of legal professionals in Manchester last night as the Modern Law Awards took centre stage. The evening delivered an abundance of talent in the sector and highlighted the innovative, caring and committed specialists currently working in the legal sector. Today’s Family Lawyer would like to congratulate those […]
Divorce Bill Wings Its Way Through Parliament
The second reading on the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill took place in the House of Lords on 5th February 2020. The Divorce Bill was introduced for the first time by Lord Keen of Elie on 7th January 2020 whose mission is to stop what has been termed the ‘blame game’ which can have ever-lasting […]
Could Legal Services Be On Comparison Sites?
Whenever we’re searching for products, whether it be insurance, credit cards or new appliances, somehow, we always end up on comparison sites to get the best deal and to find out what other users think of the product or service. The Legal Services Board (LSB) has floated the idea that law firms, chambers and other […]
What Is The Dark Web And Why Should My Law Firm Care?
‘Dark web’ is a term that is widely used to conjure up images of a second mysterious yet murky layer of the internet where criminal gangs operate. The dark web – a set of web pages that aren’t indexed so don’t appear in your search engine – is used by organised crime gangs (OCGs) to trade […]
Training In Supporting Sexual And Domestic Abuse Victims
Today marks the start of the Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Week, with events across the country to speak out against sexual abuse, as well as stand up in support of victims and survivors. Sexual abuse, violence, including domestic abuse and violence is a difficult subject for many to understand and comprehend the impact it has on the […]