Family
CA warns against misuse of judgment clarification procedure
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
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
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
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
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
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
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”
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
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”
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.
Blog
Why is Andrew Malkinson still paying for a crime he didn’t commit?
Like many in my profession and beyond, I have been moved by the case of Andrew Malkinson, the man who spent 17 years in prison for an awful crime he did not commit.
What is tech bloat and why is it a problem for law firms?
Too many law firms are adopting shiny new tech without first retiring their legacy systems, causing duplication and unnecessary costs.
The civil courts and the digital divide
Despite the government’s decision to increase Ministry of Justice funding, its budget for 2025-26 is still 14% lower in real terms than in 2007-08.
