Hybrid working opens up new opportunities for widening commuter belts
In a national survey of full or part-time employed people 9 in 10 workers (92%), who now increasingly divide their time between home and the office, would be willing to commute further to buy or rent their desired property or live in their preferred location The survey also found that 69% of hybrid workers are […]
How co-parents can deal with vaccinating children
The news that all children aged 12 to 15 in the UK will be offered one dose of a Covid vaccine will come as a relief to some parents and children alike. But for separated parents, the government’s announcement may bring with it a level of concern if they have differing views on whether their […]
Firms look to grow family practices with new hires
Winckworth Sherwood, the leading full-service UK law firm, today announces that Sarah Ingram has joined the Family practice as Partner. Sarah brings with her invaluable experience, having worked on many cutting-edge family law cases over the years at all levels up to the Supreme Court, mostly notably for the Petrodel companies in the landmark case […]
AML update – are you keeping up to date!
Access Legal’s latest quarterly AML update webinar is being held on 14 October 2021 at 12.30pm, and as usual we will be joined by Bill Jones, a financial crime specialist. With Natwest Bank facing a substantial fine for AML non-compliance, the release of the Pandora papers, and the Solicitors Regulation Authority launching investigations into 10% […]
Positive response ahead of new solicitor exam’s first sitting
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) today announced that more than a thousand people have signed up to take the first ever Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) assessment in November. The new single rigorous examination means that all aspiring solicitors will have to meet consistent, high standards at point of entry into the profession. Bookings for the […]
Post pandemic separations cause surge in pet-disputes
Solicitors are calling for more “pet-nup” clauses following surge in post-pandemic pet disputes. An estimated 3.2 million UK households have acquired a pet since the start of the pandemic, according to the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association, and with numbers of separations and divorces on the rise due to the effects of Covid-19 lockdowns, it comes […]
Reform of UK fertility laws – ripe for change
On 6th September, the Government announced an overhaul of the UK’s fertility laws, with plans to extend the storage limit for gametes (sperm and eggs) and embryos from 10 to 55 years for everyone. This article looks at how the law has developed since the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act (HFEA) 1990 came into force […]
2021 Resolution Awards shortlist revealed
Resolution has announced the shortlist for the inaugural Resolution Awards which will celebrate the achievements of professionals who have supported families and children during a global pandemic. This year sees three new award categories join the established and prestigious John Cornwell Award to recognise the diverse and outstanding talent within the family justice community. The […]
Talbots Law appoints new CEO to develop 5-year expansion plan
One of the Midlands leading independent law firms has appointed a new CEO to help it capitalise on a record year of performance. Talbots Law, which employs more than 280 people across its six offices in the Black Country and Worcestershire, has named Dave Hodgetts as its new Chief Executive Officer. The experienced Commercial Director […]
Justice delayed: Family law cases continue to spiral
Official family court statistics for April to June 2021 published on 30 September show there were an estimated 66,357 new family law cases – up 14 per cent compared to the same period in 2020. Meanwhile there were 26,301 divorce petitions filed – with divorce petitions and matrimonial cases up 7 per cent while domestic […]
Pride in the Law: More work needed for LGBT diversity
A landmark survey into the experiences of LGBT+ lawyers and LGBT+ equality in the profession conducted by the Law Society of England and Wales has identified significant progress, but more is needed. “In the last decade, there has been a sea-change in the attitudes to LGBT+ equality and visibility in the profession with a higher […]
Legal profession celebrates Black History Month
Solicitors in England and Wales will celebrate Black History Month by embracing the ‘Proud to Be’ theme, which encourages Black people to celebrate and share the pride they have in their heritage and culture. Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: “We will be sharing stories of Black lawyers from across the profession throughout October. […]
Today’s Media hosts The British Wills and Probate Awards
The British Wills and Probate Awards sponsored by Executor Solutions returns on 21st October 2021. Today’s Family Lawyer invites its readers to share the details with colleagues to get involved in celebrating the achievements of a sector which, like so many, has been at the coal face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Brought to you by […]
Ransomware attacks up by 518% in the last year
Cybercriminals are becoming more aggressive, a recent report reveals. The report shows that cybercrime gangs are using even more sophisticated ransomware to extort millions from firms across the UK. The average ransomware demand has also increased by 518% from $847,000 in 2020, to around $5.3 million in 2021, with the highest single demand sitting at […]
New guidance seeks to improve disability inclusion in the legal profession
Employers in the legal sector have been provided with guidance by the Law Society and Cardiff University, outlining the reasonable adjustments firms and organisations could make to help them recruit and employ disabled staff. It follows the publication of the Legally Disabled?: The Career Experiences of Disabled People in the Legal Profession research by Cardiff […]
The UK’s legal approach to domestic abuse, comparisons to other jurisdiction
In June 2021, the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary published its review of policing domestic abuse during the pandemic. While the review stated the UK had not suffered an increase in reports of domestic violence that had been experienced by other European nations, referrals to charities and domestic abuse organisations had increased, and continued. In March […]
Book review – Law Society Children Law Handbook by Safda Mahmood
Children law in your hands When is the last time you picked up a text book? In this digital homeworking age, so much of our research and reading is now through a screen, but this first edition of the Children Law Handbook is worthy of space on your bookshelf. It is an essential guide for […]
Law Society chief executive to take up new role with Abbeyfield
Chief executive of the Law Society of England and Wales Paul Tennant will be leaving the organisation at the end of the year. He will join the Abbeyfield Family and take up a new role as chief executive of the Abbeyfield Society. The Abbeyfield Society is an active advocate for the elderly and is a […]
£167,000 technology investment to address regional inequalities in access to justice
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has won a further grant from the latest round of Regulators Pioneer Fund (RPF) to help connect those using new legal technologies with those who need their services. The award of £167,856 from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) will be used to create a new network […]
Mental health – something’s got to give…
Legal mental health charity LawCare has today released the findings of its research study Life in the Law. The research into wellbeing in the profession captured data between October 2020 and January 2021 from over 1,700 legal professionals in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, and Isle of Man. The aim of the research […]