Family


Litigation funder stymied as divorcing couple drop proceedings

3 July 2024

Financial remedy proceedings to which the Court of Appeal said a litigation funder could be a party so as to protect the £1m it was owed by the wife have now been dropped with the money still owing.


Solicitor rebuked for leaving client unrepresented at hearing

17 June 2024

A solicitor who withdrew from a Family Court hearing over a fee dispute so late that he left his client no chance to find a replacement has been rebuked by the SRA.


“No vision” on use of AI by family justice system

4 June 2024

There is currently “not a vision” for how people in the family justice system, clients and professionals, can “safely harness” the benefits of artificial intelligence, research has argued.


Judge uses new power to “encourage” ADR in absence of agreement

31 May 2024

The High Court has used new powers to “encourage” the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in family proceedings in the absence of agreement between the parties.


Charitable family law ABS encourages model for other practice areas

28 May 2024

A not-for-profit family law alternative business structure is looking at other sectors where it could help vulnerable and under-represented people are not eligible for legal aid.


Online portal fault allowed couples to divorce too early

28 May 2024

A fault in the digital divorce system allowed 67 members of the public to apply for their divorces earlier than they were allowed to by law, it emerged last week.


Family legal aid “loss-making for half of providers”

22 May 2024

Family legal aid is loss-making for almost half of providers, research has found, with those handling private, rather than public, law matters struggling the most.


Value of family law market hits £2bn

30 April 2024

The annual value of the family law market hit £2bn for the first time last year, as it rose by 4.5%, researchers have found, with ancillary services boosting the opportunities for firms.


Online employment law specialist targets divorce and conveyancing

25 April 2024

The founder of an online employment law firm which specialises in settlement agreements has said he is planning to launch two similar ABSs – one for no-fault divorce and the other for conveyancing.


Leading law firm obtained order for client’s divorce “in error”

12 April 2024

One of the country’s highest-profile family law firms obtained a final order of divorce for a client in error without her instructions or authority, it has emerged.


Solicitors launch self-help divorce tool

4 April 2024

A new self-help divorce and separation tool, created by two solicitors formerly at City firm Withers, is aiming to help clients with no or limited budgets for legal advice.


Family judge tells divorcing couples to use ADR before going to court

19 March 2024

A Family Court judge has told divorcing couples that the court expects them to make “a serious effort” to resolve their differences before issuing proceedings.


Students come to aid of unrepresented divorcing couples at court

13 March 2024

Students in Teesside are to provide free help and guidance to unrepresented people attending first hearing dispute resolution appointments at Middlesbrough Family Court. Teesside University’s law clinic has been given permission to attend the court on Tuesdays, the day these… Read More


Profession disappointed with slim Budget pickings

7 March 2024

The legal profession yesterday expressed disappointment at the lack of attention given to the justice system in the Budget, which will see the Ministry of Justice’s expenditure fall next year.


Value of legal services market “to hit £50bn” this year

21 February 2024

The legal services market will continue to grow in 2024, hitting a turnover of £50bn with a “resilient” corporate law sector boosted by “stronger economic conditions” later in the year.

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Blog


Keeping the conversation going beyond Pride Month

As I reflect on all the celebrations of Pride Month 2024, I ask myself why there remains hesitancy amongst LGBTQ+ staff members about when it comes to being open about their identity in the workplace.


Third-party managed accounts: Your key questions answered

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has given strong indications that it is headed towards greater restrictions on law firms when it comes to handling client money.


Understanding vicarious trauma in the legal workplace

Vicarious trauma can happen to anyone who works with clients who have experienced trauma such as domestic or other violence, child abuse, sexual assault, torture or being a refugee.