As part of its response to Clare Wade KC’s Domestic Homicide Sentencing Review, the Government has asked the Law Commission to review the use of defences in domestic homicide cases. In 2004 the Law Commission
The UK government has introduced a programme allowing early release for some prisoners, including domestic violence offenders, to alleviate severe overcrowding in prisons, as reported by The Times. This directive, part of the “end of
The Law Society of England and Wales is concerned about the lack of legal aid for families where children are being deprived of their liberty. A campaign launched by the Family Rights Group today shines
Nuffield Foundation has appointed Jenny Beck as Chair of the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory’s board. Jenny Beck is a family lawyer, founding partner and Director of Beck Fitzgerald, committed to accessible and fair justice and
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has published new research concluding that proportionate regulation has a role to play in supporting the rule of law and responding to lawyers’ unethical conduct. The report, by Professor Richard
The UK is investing in grassroots women’s rights organisations on the frontline of tackling violence against women and girls around the world. Development Minister Andrew Mitchell is announcing the new support at an event in
A senior judge presiding over a family court in Milton Keynes was hospitalised following an assault by a self-represented litigant. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning, with details of the attack and the nature of
The CNC is proud to announce a partnership with Refuge in a bid to support all abuse victims. The partnership also allows CNC to provide help to any victim of domestic abuse carried out by
LawtechUK has opened its Lawtech Scaler Programme for applications. This programme, designed for founders of UK registered companies who already have a lawtech product in market, will enable them to turn early-stage traction into a
Further budget cuts will severely impact the already crisis-hit justice system, the Law Society of England and Wales has warned. The Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) analysis of the Autumn Statement suggests the Ministry of
A consultation looking at whether domestic killers should receive tougher sentences if they subject their victims to a campaign of coercive and controlling abuse, has been launched by the Lord Chancellor. Ministers will also consider
New research from family justice body Resolution has found most people back a change in the law to give cohabiting people more rights. Currently couples have few or no rights in the event of a
The Arbitration Bill has passed its first reading and is is concerned with arbitration, which is typically when disputes are resolved by an arbitrator who is privately appointed rather than by a judge sitting in
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released shows that domestic abuse is still the biggest social issue impacting women with an estimated 1.4 million women experiencing this crime in the last year. The police
Cafcass is establishing a new practice reference group to further strengthen the quality and impact of work with children and families in family law proceedings where domestic abuse is known. The group will be co-chaired
Burgess Mee Family Law has announced the appointment of private client lawyer, Georgina Crane, as a legal director. Georgina was previously a senior associate at London law firm, EMW LLP and will now focus on
Lawrence Stephens has announced the appointment of Senior Associates Eleanor Wood and Jim Richards to joint Heads of their Family practice. With the appointment of Eleanor and Jim to joint Heads of practice, Lawrence Stephens
The Ministry of Justice is seeking views on the sentencing starting point for murders preceded by controlling or coercive behaviour against the murder victim and all murders committed with a knife or other weapon. The
Chloe Holland, a 23-year-old from Portsmouth, took her own life in February after enduring a year of both physical and emotional domestic abuse from her ex-partner, Marc Masterton, who has been sentenced to three and
The Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Nicole Jacobs, has welcomed the £12 million funding boost but states that we must see “more sustainable funding” for lifesaving services for victims’ safety and wellbeing. Jacobs said that domestic abuse
The Autumn Statement missed the target for unleashing the power of the legal services sector, solicitors’ leaders have said. Nick Emmerson, president of the Law Society of England and Wales, said: “While it is great
More than 33,000 people have been helped to tackle family, debt and housing issues due to over £3 million of government investment in legal support. It has offered support to people facing issues such as
Domestic violence experts emphasise the importance of addressing perpetrators’ behaviour to protect women and children from abuse. However, charities running prevention programmes in the UK are facing funding cuts, jeopardising the support they provide to
The Lord Chancellor and senior judiciary launch a shared vision for the future of the civil and family courts and tribunals system – from the Ministry of Justice, HM Courts & Tribunals Service, and The
The Arbitration Bill will benefit businesses and individuals around the world who look to the UK as the best place to resolve disputes from family law and rent reviews to international commercial contracts and claims
The government’s refusal to commit to a new strategy in schools on issues of sexual harassment and gender-based violence, specifically aimed at engaging boys and young men, despite calls from the Women and Equalities Committee,
Hugh James has announced the appointment of Victoria Cannon as the new Partner to head the firm’s Family team. Victoria’s career has focused on providing expert guidance to high-net-worth clients. The Team have said that
The Government has confirmed that domestic abusers will continue to face jail, and judges will have full discretion to lock up any tormentor who puts an individual at significant risk of psychological or physical harm.
Cafcass has published its strategic plan for 2023-26. The new plan, Ambitious for Children, is a continuation of Cafcass’ 2019-23 strategic priorities focused on relationship-based practice and high ambition for children, families and carers. It
The NSPCC have joined with other charities to call for the next UK government to put babies, children and young people at the heart of the policy making. The NSPCC have said that they believe
Charities have expressed concerns about the introduction of stricter conditionality requirements for Universal Credit claimants with lead care. The charity, Gingerbread, have published an open letter to the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt. The letter was signed
King Charles announced that a Sentencing Bill will require whole-life sentences for the worst murders, mean rapists cannot be released early, and make it more likely short sentences for lesser crimes are served in the
Refuge has responded to the lack of VAWG in the King’s Speech and stated that the government must “commit to delivering a radical and wide-ranging package of reforms”. King Charles recently announced that a Sentencing
A recent report – led by the University of Bristol and funded by the Nuffield Foundation – challenges common misconceptions surrounding high-profile divorce cases, revealing that most divorcing couples have limited assets to share, often
The Law Society of England and Wales has expressed concern over the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX’s) proposals for changes to the regulation of Chartered Legal Executives. CILEX is pushing for authorised Legal Executives
Law firm, BDB Pitmans, has announced the appointment of Vandana Chitroda and William Roberts-Phelps as Partner and Senior Associate respectively in its Family law team. Vandana brings over 18 years of experience, having previously been