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Irwin Mitchell has announced it will combine with Scotland-based law firm Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie in an effort to strengthen its presence north of the border. The two firms working in collaboration will provide a
Parental alienation is a “handy tool for abusers” and a “national scandal”, a new study conducted by the BBC and the University of Manchester has suggested. The BBC exposed dozens of cases where children were
Hundreds of domestic abuse perpetrators are to be given electronic tags upon release from prison in a move to better protect victims and survivors. The Ministry of Justice said under its new scheme, which will
The Family Justice Council (FJC) has released draft guidance by its Working Group on responding to alienating behaviour. The guidance is designed to assist the Family Court at whatever stage of the proceedings the issue
SRA regulation of CILEX lawyers risks confusing consumers when trying to choose the right legal services, the Law Society of England and Wales has said. This comes in response to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
Mr Justice Mostyn praised the “outstanding” advocacy of lawyers involved in a highly complex recent financial remedy case as he prepares to draw the curtain on his judicial career. Susan Nancy Baker v Andrew Hartill
Delays and shortages mean children in need of mental health crisis care are often being looked after by local authority children’s services teams and the courts while others turn to drugs, according to new analysis.
Housing associations, social landlords, and developers in England are being urged to allow childminders to work in their rented properties, to help encourage entry into the profession and increase availability of childcare for parents. Children
Salaries for lawyers who moved firms last year increased by three times as much as those for lawyers who stayed loyal to their firms, according to new research by legal recruitment consultancy Realm Recruit. As
An artificial intelligence (AI) platform claiming to provide an “innovative legal aid service” has expanded its service into a mobile application. LawMate.AI uses technology to provide legal information and answer questions based on legal principles,
Shocking new data has revealed the number of Sexual Communication with a Child offences last year (2022/23) was nearly double the number seen in 2017/18 when the offence first came into force. Specifically, 6,350 instances
Providers working in civil legal aid are now able to access a new financial eligibility tool called “check if your client qualifies for legal aid” (CCQ), the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) has announced. Assessments of
Manchester United Football Club’s decision not to keep Mason Greenwood following allegations including attempted rape and assault is “a relief for many survivors of domestic and sexual abuse”, says Women’s Aid. The footballer, who has
National law firm Irwin Mitchell has announced that its Group Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Tucker, passed away last Wednesday following an “unexpected illness”. Tucker had been part of Irwin Mitchell for nearly 40 years, joining
The Drive Partnership, a coalition of groups working on the response to domestic abuse, has announced a rebrand. The Drive Partnership is a partnership between Respect, Safelives, and Social Finance. They came together in 2015
Ofsted has issued a fresh warning against the placement of vulnerable children, including those subject to deprivation of liberty orders, in unregistered children’s homes. Children subject to deprivation of liberty (DoL) orders have complex needs
The government has announced £26 million of new specialist support measures for victims of rape and sexual violence. The fund has been awarded to 62 specialist services over the next two years. Projects that will
Aspiring solicitors should be paid £23,122 outside of London and £26,068 in London for qualifying work experience (QWE) for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) or during their training contract, the Law Society of England and
The UK could withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights in an effort to push through its small boats policy – a move that has been described by the Law Society as “using a
Legal aid means testing has been removed for certain family cases as of 3rd August 2023, the Legal Aid Agency has announced. Specifically, means testing will no longer be required for: Under 18s applying for
A new large-scale study has revealed the positive impact of the Family Drug and Alcohol Courts (FDAC) versus standard care proceedings under the Children and Families Act 2014. FDAC aims to address the problems which
The costs of accommodating teenagers in care in semi-independent housing could be over nine times more than the government has committed up to 2026 to fund new regulations, while thousands of care beds could be
The Children’s Commissioner has launched a consultation on whether care experience should be a “protected characteristic” in law akin to that of age, disability, religion, and more. The Commissioner says there is an argument that
Sir Nicholas Mostyn has officially said goodbye to the Bench with last Friday marking his final day in the courtroom. The esteemed High Court judge – who recently turned 66 and has been diagnosed with
Following last week’s news that the Competition and Markets Authority has launched an investigation into the provision of unregulated legal services with so-called “quickie” divorces being one of the focuses, Today’s Family Lawyer sought the
The government has announced a funding boost of up to £8.3 million for organisations providing support to victims of abuse, including counselling, training, and community outreach. More victims of crimes including domestic abuse, rape and
President of the Family Division Sir Andrew McFarlane has published the latest edition of A View from The President’s Chambers for July 2023. The full document can be accessed below.
So-called “quickie” online divorces are one of the focuses of a new review into unregulated legal services, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced. The review comes amidst concerns that not all providers are
A history of coercive or controlling behaviour is set to become a statutory mitigating factor to better protect domestic abuse victims who kill their abuser, the Ministry of Justice has said. This comes as amongst
Parents who fail to pay child maintenance will face tougher sanctions after new laws were passed last week to speed up stronger enforcement action. Under the Child Support (Enforcement) Act, the Department for Work and
The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 has this week reached its 10-year anniversary since receiving Royal Assent on 17th July 2013 with the first same sex marriage held in March the following year. The
Talbots Law has acquired Wright Solicitors in what has been described as a “massive boost to [the] Black Country legal landscape”. The acquisition by Talbots – which is owned by its now over 400 employees