HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has announced new support for the hundreds of children who visit the courts as witnesses each year. HMCTS says it recognises that courts can be an uncomfortable environment for

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed enhanced legal aid support for those applying for Special Guardianship Orders (SGO). Under the move, funding will be extended to more people applying for SGOs, which see a

A new report on safeguarding processes in child contact centres in England has recommended mandatory safeguarding and domestic abuse training for all contact centre staff. The report, conducted by Cordis Bright and commissioned by the

The Public Law Working Group (PLWG) has set out new best practice guidance (BPG) for the making and operation of supervision orders as part of its report, Recommendations to achieve best practice in the child

The Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) prosecution guidance on controlling and coercive behaviour and stalking or harassment has been updated and advises prosecutors about the different tactics a suspect can use – including “love-bombing”. This is

The Law Commission of England and Wales has been asked by the Department for Education to review the legal framework governing the social care of disabled children. The Law Commission said the current law on

The Nuffield Family Justice Observatory (NFJO) has released the latest set of data trends emerging from the national deprivation of liberty (DoL) court. Based at the Royal Courts of Justice, the national DoL court –

The government has set out its plans for the “failure to prevent fraud” (FTPF) offence contained in a recent amendment to the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill. The offence is intended to mirror existing

The Law Commission of England and Wales has officially launched its review of the laws which determine how finances are divided among couples after divorce. Commissioned by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), the new law

His Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) has published a new report highlighting the flaws in the Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) handling of domestic abuse cases. HMCPSI inspectors noted there were “areas for improvement” to

Ofsted has set out the process of registration for supported accommodation providers following the news that it will begin offering “essential oversight” of these services for children in care and care leavers aged 16 to

The organisers of January’s Family Mediation Week have declared the event a success with plans for next year’s corresponding event “already underway”. Family Mediation Week saw family mediators run numerous events in January which reached

Newly proposed surrogacy reforms which could see intended parents automatically recognised as legal parents from birth have been welcomed with open arms by family lawyers. Wednesday saw the Law Commission of England and Wales and

Mediation is set to become mandatory in thousands of suitable low-level family court cases in what has been described as a “major shake-up to the family justice system”. This will mean separating couples have to

Domestic abuse and rape victims are set to be given the right to challenge the police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on the dropping of their case as part of a slew of new reforms

All supported accommodation providers for 16 and 17-year-olds in care will be required to register with Ofsted and meet quality standards from October 2023 onwards, the Department for Education has announced. This aims to put

The Access to Justice Foundation has been awarded funding to administer the “Improving Outcomes Through Legal Support” grant. The Ministry of Justice says the grant “will help thousands more people get access to early legal

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has announced over 100,000 more families are set to receive support under the government’s “flagship” Supporting Families scheme. Up to £233.5 million has been allocated to

The Legal Services Board (LSB) has announced it will not be conducting a review of the list of reserved legal activities in the imminent future. Certain legal activities are restricted – or reserved – by

The Industry Working Group’s final report on the electronic execution of documents has failed to agree on a way forward for eSignatures following “mixed views both internally and externally” regarding the certification and accreditation of

A legal case challenging the “persistent failure” of the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) to take “proper or effective steps” to recover maintenance payments from absent parents has been given the green light to go ahead

Families are failed by the Home Office’s current migration policies and practice, according to a recently published report from the House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee. The report – “All families matter: An

Access to means-free legal aid has been extended for both parents and those with parental responsibilities as well as domestic abuse victims, the Legal Aid Agency has announced. The changes, which have been welcomed by

President of the Family Division Sir Andrew McFarlane has considered the practice that should be adopted when court orders need to be served upon a parent residing in refuge. The need for guidance stems from

Every pound invested in domestic abuse support services represents a £9 saving to the public purse, according to a report published by leading domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid. The report – Investing to save: the

A House of Commons briefing paper has been released looking at with when polygamous marriages might be legally recognised in England and Wales, immigration issues, social security benefits, and state pension entitlement. Home Office guidance