Family


PI partner turned family lawyer challenges “aggressive” divorce bills

14 February 2024

A former personal injury specialist turned family lawyer has condemned “aggressive billing” in his new practice area and called for reforms to reduce costs.


CA warns against misuse of judgment clarification procedure

12 February 2024

The delivery of a judgment “is not a transactional process”, the Court of Appeal has warned, saying the clarification procedure was being misused in family cases.


Woman fails in contempt bid over application to debar her solicitors

9 February 2024

A woman has failed in her bid to bring contempt proceedings against her ex-husband and his business associate, who she claimed conspired in an attempt to stop her instructing certain solicitors.


Government announces early legal advice pilot for separating couples

26 January 2024

The government is to launch a pilot of early legal advice for separating couples to judge what impact it could have to speed up a resolution.


Online divorce service set for major growth after Octopus acquisition

6 December 2023

Octopus Group has expanded its presence in the legal market by acquiring a majority stake in amicable, the online divorce service that markets itself as an alternative to solicitors.


Family lawyer who took advantage of abuse victims is struck off

17 November 2023

A family law solicitor who lied to and took advantage of vulnerable clients, including victims of domestic violence, has been struck off and ordered to pay almost £75,000 in costs.


Make sure junior counsel get time on their feet, judges told

10 November 2023

The heads of the judiciary have told judges and instructing solicitors to give junior counsel who are being led every chance to address the court as well.


Unbundling “empowers client” and optimises solicitors’ billing

20 October 2023

Clients using unbundled legal services feel empowered by having control of their own case, while it is the best way for solicitors to bill every minute of their time, a pioneering family lawyer says.


Online probate process “taking longer than paper”

18 October 2023

Private client lawyers believe the new online probate process is taking longer than the old paper-based system, with family solicitors and civil litigators also unhappy with digital processes.


Judge rules public access barristers’ payment terms unfair

13 October 2023

Two public access barristers have failed in their bid to be paid nearly £125,000 in fees after the High Court found the terms of their retainer unfair.


Law firm data breach “highlights risks to domestic violence victims”

28 September 2023

A family law firm that disclosed personal data about a woman and children to her rapist ex-partner has been highlighted in a warning over how data breaches are putting domestic abuse victims’ lives at risk.


CA allows funder to challenge financial remedy consent order

19 September 2023

A litigation funder owed up to £1m by the wife in a “bitter and extortionately expensive” divorce battle can remain a party to financial remedy proceedings, the Court of Appeal has ruled.


Court of Appeal sets aside circuit judge’s “plainly irregular” ruling

1 September 2023

The Court of Appeal has set aside a circuit judge’s ruling in care proceedings after describing his decision as “plainly irregular” given the lack of detailed analysis.


Partner rebuked for backdating documents used in divorce case

24 August 2023

A solicitor who followed a client’s instructions to backdate a loan agreement and then did not disclose it as part of divorce proceedings has been rebuked for her “error of judgment”.


Niche cohabitation law firm aims to fill “gap in market”

4 August 2023

A law firm has been launched in Bristol specialising solely in advising cohabiting couples on their relationships and on contentious probate, claiming to be the first of its kind.

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