Victims’ Opinions Considered After Government Scheme Widens
Victims of 14 additional crimes, including family law issues, will now have the opportunity to ask for more severe punishments for their perpetrators’ crimes after the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme was widened earlier this week. The scheme will now include crimes involving controlling and coercive behaviour, stalking and harassment to ensure the victims feel as […]
Almost 40% Of Divorces Issued Online
Since April 2018, litigants in person have been able to apply for a divorce online, meaning people are able to bypass solicitors when seeking a divorce. This is certainly a popular option for those who have what can be considered a ‘simple’ divorce where the parties are amicable or where finances are easily separated, and […]
Consultation On Vulnerable Parties In Civil Courts
In 1999 the Youth and Criminal Justice Act enabled the protection and assistance to vulnerable witnesses attending criminal courts, including those with learning disabilities and children. The Act included investigative and pre-trial measures, court procedures and training for those dealing with vulnerable witnesses. Despite these procedures for criminal courts, the family courts were ‘lagging woefully […]
Funding Legal Advice And Legal Services Orders
Section 22ZA Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (‘MCA’) gives the court the power to make on order requiring one spouse to fund the other spouse’s legal advice. This is called a Legal Services Order (‘LSO’). LSOs are interim orders made before proceedings are concluded. This is because they will provide a successful party with the funds […]
Robert Sanderson Joins The Practical Vision Network as Managing Director
The Practical Vision Network is proud to announce the appointment of Robert Sanderson, as Managing Director of the Group. The acquisition of Robert undoubtedly strengthens the senior leadership team and highlights the exciting journey the Group is ready to take. Robert started his legal career in the practice area of Wills, Trusts, Tax and Probate […]
HMCTS £1Bn Court Reform Impacts On Access To Justice
HM Courts and Tribunals Service’s (HMCTS) ambitious £1bn reform programme which plans to overhaul, modernise and improve the court system is falling behind schedule with concerns over access to justice. A watchdog has revealed that almost 80 more courts in England and Wales face closure under a transformation scheme. With the HMCTS already three years […]
New Italian Law Service Offered By Buckles Solicitors
Buckles Solicitors LLP has extended it’s international service offering following the appointment of Jessica Zama. Jessica’s appointment sees the firm extending its services into Italian private client law. Jessica joined the firm in July, based in the London office in the International department. She is bilingual in both English and Italian, and qualified as a […]
18% Increase In Domestic Violence Related Homicides
The BBC has today reported a large increase in homicides linked to domestic abuse, meaning rates are at their highest in 5 years. In 2018 173 people were killed in domestic violence-related homicides, an increase of 32 from 2017, with the majority of victims being women. The figures are disappointing, especially as the Government has […]
The Benefits Of Being A Collaborative Lawyer
Solicitors who practise family law and are trained collaborative lawyers will know the benefits that come with negotiating rather than litigating a separation or divorce. It is beyond doubt that it is in the best interests of clients to come to agreements through negotiations rather than have decisions handed down by a court. Not only […]
Should Parental Alienation Be Legally Recognised?
Parental alienation is estimated to occur in between 11-15% of cases of divorcing parents. Divorce is a difficult time not just for couples but even more so for the children. Each child copes with the separation in a different way, ranging from anger and emotional outbursts to feelings of guilt and sometimes even acceptance. Research […]
With Parliament Prorogued, Have Important Bills Regarding Family Law Been Killed Off?
The 9th September marked the proroguing of Parliament, a move by Boris Johnson that has split opinions across the country. “Scuffles” broke out in the Commons with what were considered “chaotic scenes” of Labour MPs holding placards saying ‘silenced’, shouts of ‘shame on you’ and a boycott by both Labour and Liberal Democrat peers Whether […]
Half A Million UK Children At Risk Of Homelessness
Horrifically, over half a million children in the UK are homeless or at severe risk of becoming homeless. According to a recent report, ‘Bleak Houses – Tackling the Crisis of Family Homelessness in England,’ completed by the Children’s Commissioner, it is estimated that 585,000 children are either homeless or live their lives with the persistent […]
Webinar: Why Going ‘Paper-Lite’ Is Essential For Your Firms Information Security
Law firms have traditionally been ‘paper-heavy’ environments and while firms are better aware of the benefits of going ‘Paper-Lite’, making it a reality has been easier said than done. A new entrant to the legal services market has made it their mission to enable law firms to digitise paper documents easily and inexpensively. This allows […]
Number Of Teenagers In Care Has Risen By 21% In Five Years
A report has found that the number of older children going into care is damaging the stability of the system. Findings have come out from the 2019 Stability Index, an annual measure of the stability of the lives of children in care in England. The Index found that the profile and needs of children in care […]
Cafcass Welcomes A New Chief Executive
The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) has welcomed a new chief executive, Jacky Tiotto, after she concluded her role as director of Children’s Services at the London Borough of Bexley. Jacky’s appointment was previously announced in May this year where it was confirmed she would be joining Cafcass, who represent children […]
Booking Now Available For Upcoming Legal Eye Conference
Booking is now open for the Legal Eye Conference ‘The real cost of Risk Management’ which is taking place on Thursday 14th November. Legal Eye are running the conference alongside The Cashroom focusing on the practical implications for the bottom line of law forms as they seek to interpret and implement a raft of regulatory […]
Surrogacy Arrangements Under Review
Surrogacy has become an increasingly popular alternative to adoption for couples that have exhausted every avenue of fertility treatment. With Parental Order applications following surrogacy at 300 a year and increasing, a long-overdue review of surrogacy law is finally underway. In 1985, the first UK commercial surrogacy, with the case of ‘Baby Cotton’, caused public outcry […]
New Funding For The Family Drugs & Alcohol Court National Unit
The London Family Drugs and Alcohol Court (FDAC), running at the Central Family Court since 2008, helps parents stop and remain free from substance and alcohol abuse, with an aim to keep families together. It is an alternative form of care proceedings that uses a problem-solving approach enabling parents to be reunited with their children. […]
Parental Rights Of Rapists Under Scrutiny
The Children Act 1989 is one of the most important pieces of legislation regarding the welfare of children in the UK. Any family solicitor will know the power it has in court and how the welfare of the child is paramount. However, there are cases where local authorities, those who have a duty to protect children […]
Family Law Awards 2019 Shortlist Announced
Following another frenetic year in family law, the shortlist for the prestigious Family Law Awards 2019, taking place on November 27th, has been announced by LexisNexis. Congratulations to all those shortlisted and good luck on the night! Family Law Associate of the Year Adele Pledger (Withers LLP) Amy Scollan (Hunters Law) Lauren Evans (Kingsley […]