UK Falling Behind In Gender Recognition
Last week saw the release of a report published by IGLYO, Dentons and Thomson Reuters Foundations, exploring the laws on legal gender recognition, focusing on the rights of young people in eight European countries. The report aimed to identify some of the good practises in legal framework adopted by different countries and set them against examples where reforms had […]
Today’s Family Lawyer Is Excited To Announce Their First Roundtable
Following a successful launch of Today’s Family Lawyer back in the summer and the overwhelming response, we have received from family law professionals since we are delighted to announce our first family law roundtable. Today’s Family Lawyer, which gives a fresh look at the industry by keeping the sector informed of key changes, challenges, developments and […]
How Do We Score Your Mystery Shop?
Getting feedback is a great way for businesses to learn and improve on areas that they may be struggling in. Many sectors have mystery shoppers, and the conveyancing sector is no different. In a highly competitive market, it’s vital that your team is at the top of their game, when it comes to asking for […]
Are you taking part in Cohabitation Awareness Week 2019?
This week see’s Resolution running their Cohabitation Awareness Week (25th – 29th November 2019) with the aim of raising awareness about the lack of rights that exist for unmarried couples who live together. With more than 7 million people in the UK living in this type of relationship, cohabitation is the fastest growing family type in the […]
Manifesto Pledges Promise Increased Help For Domestic Abuse Victims
As the current court reform initiatives come under increasing criticism from a variety of parliamentary committees, the Labour Party has announced the reforms to the justice system in what it claims will “rebuild our public services.” The Labour Party has pledged to spend over £100 million in upgrading the court system and halt current court closures […]
The Rise Of Fake ID Documents
It is estimated that property fraud has cost the UK Land Registry more than £73million over the past 18 years, with an average pay-out to a victim costing upwards of £100,000. Property fraud and the rise of fake ID documents is on the rise, with more onus being put on solicitors involved in property transactions […]
Opposite-Sex Civil Partnerships Legal From 2nd December
The case of Steinfeld and Another v Secretary of State for Education in 2017 had the Court of Appeal find that that the provision, whereby civil partnership was only available to same sex couples, was contrary to article 14 of European Convention of Human Rights (protection from discrimination) taken in conjunction with Article 8 of the […]
Ensuring Full And Frank Disclosure
It is not surprising to any divorce lawyer that when it comes to splitting finances in a divorce, things can become ugly very quickly. Surprisingly, large numbers of cases involve some form of distorting figures. There are currently stories in headline news where there are allegations of hiding business assets and purposefully reducing income to decrease […]
“Fairness For Families” – Resolution Asks For Election Manifesto Pledges
With the election manifestos being released this week, Resolution has been eagerly awaiting responses to their letter to all political parties, ‘urging them to prioritise much-needed family justice reforms in their election manifesto’. In their letter, dated the 14th November 2019, National Chair Margaret Heathcote and the Chair of the Family Law Reform Group, Jo Edwards, called on all […]
Cafcass Chief Executive Shares Her Plans For The Future
Back in September 2019, the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) welcomed their new Chief Executive Jacky Tiotto. As the Chief Executive, Jacky will lead Cafcass social workers and corporate staff in achieving the best possible outcomes for children, young people, their families and carers, who are engaging with the family courts. […]
A Look Into Children’s Welfare News On World Children’s Day
November 20th marks World Children’s Day, a day to raise awareness of and support for children’s welfare across the globe; it highlights “the importance of a healthy childhood, and how we need to protect the rights and freedoms of children in order to ensure that they can grow into happy, healthy adults,” states the National Children’s Day UK. In honour of the […]
Resolution Are Asking For Your Views On Local Court
Resolution, the largest membership organisation for family justice professionals in England and Wales is asking for your views on your local court. To access their Autumn 2019 Family Court Survey (II) click here.
Latest ONS UK Families Trends Offer Insight To Family Experts
The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) report on ‘Families and Households in the UK: 2019’ makes insightful reading for the family law community which highlights the changing trends in Brits’ living arrangements, including families. Family professionals discuss the ONS’ insights and give their views of what it could mean for family law. Deborah Jeff, Partner and Head of Family at Seddons, comments: “The […]
Leading Family Law Firms Exposed To Fraud And Cyber Crime
The majority of 200 leading law firms are completely unprepared and susceptible to cyber attacks, according to a 2019 report on fraud and cyber crime vulnerabilities in the legal sector. Crowe, KYND and University of Portsmouth’s Centre for Counter Fraud Studies commenced research in spring this year to reveal how vulnerable the legal sector is […]
75% Of Law Firms Have Had Their Passwords Stolen
Law firms are failing in their efforts to tackle the rising risk of cyber crime. Even with £millions continuing to be fraudulently redirected, with the associated reputational impact and knock on effect on professional indemnity insurance premiums, most law firms have not implemented even the most basic cyber security measures. The research has been undertaken […]
The Pros & Cons of Cyber Essentials Accreditation
Cyber Essentials is a Government backed accreditation scheme, that protects your organisation, whatever its size against a range of the most common cyber attacks. With cyber attacks becoming an increasing blight on society, with more being reported on in the news, understanding what options you have when it comes to cyber security is important. Why […]
Barlow’s Cohabitants and the Law, 4th edition (Part 2)
Part II of the 2018 edition of this book published on 18 May 2018 deals with the impact of relationship breakdown. Developments in the law relating to domestic abuse are discussed in Chapter 7, together with reforms to the homelessness legislation affording better protection for victims of such abuse. Domestic Violence Protection Notices (DVPNs) and […]
The Lengths People Go To Avoid Child Maintenance Payments
Too many family law solicitors, there is nothing new in hearing that a parent is trying to avoid paying child maintenance. From creating complex financial agreements, putting businesses in other names to even changing jobs frequently making it harder for a deduction of earnings order to be implemented. Recent statistics released by the Child Maintenance […]
Public And Industry Calls for Transparency in Family Courts
A charity supporting victims of domestic abuse and MP Trudy Harrison have backed the launch of the #getmhome campaign tomorrow, the 16 November, seeking to end the injustice in secret family courts. The campaign was started by Victoria Hudson, who had a member of her family forcibly removed by Cumbria Children’s Services in September 2018, and who has not been allowed contact […]
St John’s Buildings Appoint Joint Head Of Chambers
Frances Heaton QC is joining Richard Norton as the Joint Head of Chambers at St John’s Building’s Barristers’ Chambers. On being appointed Head of Chambers in 2018, Richard Norton always intended to share his role with Frances, with both now being appointed for a three-year term. With over 30 years’ experience as a family law barrister, […]