Clio’s Top Innovations, Releases, and Resources for UK Law Firms in 2021
At Clio, we’re on a mission to transform the legal experience for all. To do that, we’re investing heavily in both technologies and resources that are designed to move legaltech forward, making it easier for law firms to operate and for clients to gain access to justice. As we near the end of 2021, we’re […]
Frozen embryos – the risks and the rewards
The Government recently announced plans to extend the storage limit for embryos and gametes (sperm and eggs) from 10 to 55 years for everyone, abolishing the arbitrary differentiation between freezing for health and social reasons. While this is a welcome development which provides greater reproductive choices for fertility patients, those with frozen embryos face potentially […]
Widow must “prove” she can use dead husband’s frozen sperm
A widow has been informed that due to an administrative mistake she is unable to use her late husband’s frozen sperm to have his baby unless she takes the case to the High Court. Thirty-five year-old Jade Payne from Northampton has been told by TFP Oxford Fertility that she must first prove that her husband […]
“Tony’s Law” brings tougher penalties for child cruelty
Child abusers will face more time behind bars after the Government confirmed plans to increase the maximum penalties for a range of cruelty offences. Under the changes, anyone who causes or allows the death of a child or vulnerable adult in their care will face up to life imprisonment – rather than the current 14-year […]
Law Society responds to Chatham House AML report
The Law Society of England and Wales has issued a response to London-based thinktank Chatham House’s recent report criticising the UK’s anti-money laundering (AML) laws. The report states that un-policed and often unenforceable anti-corruption laws have made the UK the global money-laundering capital for a post-Soviet Union elite, severely damaging Britain’s international reputation and the […]
LSB publishes lawyer competency consultation
The Legal Services Board (LSB) says it finds the legal profession is “out of step compared with other professions”, and that greater focus on assessing and understanding levels of competence is required. To address this, the LSB has launched a consultation on a draft statutory statement of policy on the outcomes regulators should pursue to ensure legal […]
Law Society appoints interim CEO
Gerry Walsh has been appointed as the new interim CEO of the Law Society of England and Wales. Born in Northern Ireland, Gerry has spent most of his working life in England, France, Poland and the US, and is now a highly experienced senior executive and consultant. He’s a former interim CEO of the Chartered […]
Novitas ceases litigation funding to new customers
One of the biggest UK litigation funders, Novitas Loans, has announced that it has ceased lending to new customers. The company, which offers lending for family law, contentious probate and clinical cases, said that it will continue managing it’s existing customer base and cases, and will consider applications for extensions, but will not take on […]
ADR should come before courts, say experts
Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services such as mediation and arbitration should be a part of any discussion about divorce for separating couples, family law experts say as part of Good Divorce Week. Earlier this year Irwin Mitchell polled 1,000 divorcees about their experience of getting divorced, and whether their relationship had ended amicably, in a […]
HMCTS publishes recordings from its 5th Annual Public User Event
HMCTS has published recordings from all sessions held at this year’s Annual Public User Event: Reforming court and tribunal services together. Recordings of the sessions are available in a playlist on YouTube. This year’s iteration was held digitally over 9 and 10 November, and covered the latest progress of the reform programme across criminal, civil, family […]
Government plans to streamline access to child trust funds
The Government is proposing a new scheme to help families access funds belonging to loved ones who lack mental capacity, such as child trust funds, without need to go to court. Families seeking access to small funds belonging to loved ones who lack mental capacity will benefit from a simpler and quicker system, under plans […]
Law Society responds to LSB consultation on empowering consumers
The Law society has issued a response to the Legal Services Board (LSB) consultation on empowering consumers, saying that it must give frontline regulators room to understand consumer engagement and the challenges facing the public. Following a consultation launched by the LSB on a draft statutory statement of policy on empowering consumers, outlining how the […]
New application forms for Family Court injunctions
HMCTS has made several updates to Form FL401 allowing applicants to seek protective orders in the form of Non-Molestation or Occupation Orders to protect victims of domestic abuse. As of 11 October 2021, changes to Form FL401 included: Setting out the legal test for a without notice application. Providing information about serving the application. Improved […]
Attend and be in with a chance to win a £500 giftcard
As we head toward a new year, many conveyancing professionals will be looking back and reflecting on 2021, as well as planning for 2022. For some, that may mean planning to start their own law firm—or looking at ways to improve their firm’s performance next year. If that sounds like you, then join leading global […]
Record numbers of children caught up in separation disputes
Latest figures released by the Family Court reveal that more children than ever before have been caught up in disputes following family separation. But according to a poll commissioned by family justice organisation Resolution, and YouGov, two-thirds of separated parents said they lacked help or advice about how to put their children first when they […]
Are “financial penalties for warring parents” the right approach?
Dominic Raab, the new Justice Secretary, has said that parents who bring “vexatious claims” to the Family Courts should face financial penalties. He is also keen to see Mediation as the default process at least for resolving issues about their children. While promoting Mediation is welcome, is wielding the big stick really going to solve […]
SRA has no plans to reform indemnity insurance market
Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) leaders have commented they have no plans to reform the indemnity insurance market. Delegates at the SRA’s recent compliance conference raised the issue of increasing premiums, saying that price hikes will inevitably affect the survival of many firms. But despite concerns the SRA has signalled it is unwilling to step in. […]
Could cyber regulation for IT service providers be introduced?
Third party IT service providers could be required to follow new cyber security rules such as the National Cyber Security Centre’s Cyber Assessment Framework as part of new proposals to help businesses manage the growing cyber threat. A consultation by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) looked into the security of digital […]
Flexibility overtakes pay as top priority for practitioners
Flexibility has overtaken pay as the top priority for practitioners entering the jobs market, according to new research by legal recruitment consultancy, Realm Recruit. As part of its annual market research conducted in June 2021, Realm Recruit surveyed more than 100 practitioners on a number of topics, including jobseeker status, employee engagement, wellbeing and pay. […]
New cyber laws to protect smart devices from hackers
New government legislation has been introduced to protect people’s smart devices from being hacked. The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill will give ministers new powers to bring in tougher security standards for device makers, including: Banning of easy-to-guess default passwords preloaded on devices. All products now need unique passwords that cannot be reset to […]