The Industry Working Group (IWG) on the electronic execution of documents have launched their consultation which can be found here. If you wish to submit a response to this consultation, please send it (in Word
A Scottish family law expert has issued a warning to those considering a “DIY” sperm donor agreement instead of going through regulated clinics. Tom Quail, family law specialist at Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP, says
It is vitally important that people who may not have capacity to make decisions about their care do not lose essential protections, the Law Society of England and Wales said in its response to the
A landmark report by the Law Commission has set out how decades old marriage laws need to be updated to reflect our modern society, meaning couples will have more choice on how and where they
Government backs new law to provide additional paid leave to parents whose babies require specialist care after birth. Thousands of parents whose babies require specialist care after birth will be able to take additional paid
Only 785 civil partnerships were formed between same-sex couples in England and Wales in 2020, compared with 6,925 marriages, new research shows. In 2020, the number of civil partnerships in England and Wales saw its
Almost half (49%) of all small business owners in the UK are set to increase their prices as they look to battle rising costs, a new report reveals. The SME Insights Report, released by Simply
Funding provided to charities and legal advice centres in civil and family legal disputes is welcomed by the Law Society of England and Wales, who warned there must be proper investment in the whole legal
The Courts and Tribunals Judiciary has published a recent interview with Recorder Nicola Williams. In an interview with the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, Recorder Nicola Williams discusses her career and journey into the judiciary. In
Parents who refuse to pay child maintenance could face curfews, as Ministers plan new powers for the Child Maintenance Service. The change is being considered as part of fresh proposals that will get more of
The government has announced ambitious new plans to improve the cost, choice and availability of childcare that will benefit hundreds of thousands of parents across the country. The UK has some of the highest-quality childcare
A recent divorce case which led to “feral, unprincipled and unnecessarily expensive financial remedy proceedings” has led to heavy scrutiny and criticism by Family Court Judge Stephen Wildblood QC. In the case, which involved a
The courts and tribunals judiciary has announced revised sentencing guidelines for child sexual offences. New sentencing guidelines for the offence of sexual communication with a child (s15A of the Sexual Offences Act) came into force
The Justice Committee published the UK government’s response to its report into court capacity last week. Sustained investment is required to enable the overstretched justice system to recover from years of underfunding and cuts, exacerbated
Legal aid champions got some well-deserved recognition at Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year (LALY) awards held on 12th July. Finalists gathered in London to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the awards, organised by the
The latest quarterly family court statistics have been published. Latest statistics show a decrease in the number of cases started in the Family Courts, with 68,134 new cases started in January to March 2022, down
In a recent Prime Minister’s questions, Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab has said he did not believe there was a “strong case for change” on the abortion issue, and has rejected calls for a right
Minister of State for Equalities, Kemi Badenoch, has launched a new service which modernises the process of applying for a Gender Recognition Certificate. In a press release the Government said it has committed to modernising
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) will be given new powers to fine rule-breakers up to £25,000, under measures introduced yesterday (29 June 2022). The changes mean the SRA can now fine law firms and individual
Coming soon to Today’s Family Lawyer is our brand new job openings section! If you are interested in advertising any of your firm’s current or upcoming vacancies within the family law sector for free, please
Lawson-West Solicitors is pleased to announce the appointment of Fiona Wilson as Head of Family and Helen Shaw as Family Solicitor. Lawson-West Solicitors’ family department goes from strength to strength with the recent appointment of
The legal professions of England and Wales – solicitors, barristers and CILEX lawyers – will unite to commemorate 50 years since the first Pride took place in the UK. The Law Society of England and
Following the recent overturning of the landmark US abortion case Roe v Wade, Scottish first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has said legislation will be passed to enforce protester buffer zones at abortion clinics in Scotland. Nicola
The President of the Family Division has announced the launch of a National DoLs (Deprivation of Liberty) court on 4 July 2022. The court will deal with applications seeking authorisation to deprive children of their
Natalie Drew, partner at TLT, has been appointed to family justice group Resolution’s National Committee, placing the firm at the forefront of family law. Resolution is a membership organisation bringing together around 6,500 professionals from
In celebration of Pride Month 2022 the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary interviewed District Judge John Beckley, about the growth of LGBTQ+ representation in the judiciary and his hopes for the future. In an excerpt from
Fixed fee divorce firm Fair Result has been recognised as the Best Divorce and Financial Settlement Company by Acquisition International and The World Finance Awards. This is their second award obtained in June, they were
The Law Society of England and Wales has appointed Ian Jeffery as chief executive who will take up his position in September. Interim chief executive Gerry Walsh will remain in post until then. Ian Jeffery
The UK government must shore up the beleaguered legal aid market if more generous eligibility criteria are to benefit people on lower incomes, solicitors’ leaders have warned. The Law Society of England and Wales today
Newly published statistics for April 2021 to April 2022, show more than 12,000 new divorce applications were filed as “no-fault” divorce came into effect. Statistics show there were 12,978 new divorce applications in April 2022.
Most voters and businesses back the continued use of online court hearings as part of the modernisation of the justice system, a think-tank says today. The Social Market Foundation found that three-quarters of the public
Five interns have started their six-week paid internship at the Law Society of England and Wales, as part of their participation in the #10000BlackInterns initiative. The initiative was founded to help broaden career opportunities for
Lucy Morrison has taken the reins from Nicola Poole as Hedges Law’s new Managing Director as part of a long-term succession plan and restructure, which has resulted an all-female board. Lucy is a highly experienced
Legal challenges to UK government plans to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda raise questions about the foundations of British justice, the Law Society of England and Wales said as the clock ticks down to the first
Resignation rates remain high with many root causes for why women may be leaving their employer or workforce altogether – creating an opportunity for employers to help extend women’s careers and retain a wealth of
Abusers who strangle their partners in an attempt to control or induce fear will face up to five years behind bars as a new offence came into force this week. Non-fatal strangulation was made a