Family
Legal market to grow “in all areas” as PE extends reach
The legal services market will grow across all practice areas in 2026 for the first time since Covid, researchers have predicte, while a growing private equity presence is “a continuing theme”.
Strike off for solicitor who told colleague to lie
A family law solicitor who asked a newly qualified legal executive to lie to a litigant in person, having already lied to him herself, has been struck off.
Family law giant goes international with Australia investment
The largest family law firm in the country is making good on its promise of cross-border expansion by moving into Scotland and Australia.
Estate planning firm becomes ABS and buys family law practice
An established estate planning firm has entered regulation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and bought a family law practice to expand the services it offers.
PE-backed serious injury firm makes big move into family law
Private equity-backed Fletchers Group has moved outside of injury work for the first time by buying leading family law firm Rayden Solicitors.
Head of family law cleared of serious wrongdoing over decree nisi
A senior family lawyer has been cleared of dishonesty and lack of integrity over an application for a decree nisi that was not made and remained outstanding for a year.
Strike-off for solicitor who misled client, court and law firm
A solicitor who misled her divorce client, the Family Court and the owner of her law firm – leading to the client being issued with a penal notice – has been struck off.
Court terminates solicitor’s appointment to cross-examine party
The Family Court has terminated the appointment of a solicitor to cross-examine a mother on behalf of the father because he is also instructed to act for the father in criminal proceedings.
Jail for “intimidating” litigant in person who abused family judge
A litigant in person who was “extremely abusive” to a district judge in a family case and made “direct threats of physical violence” has been jailed for four months for contempt.
Family justice system “letting children and families down”
There are “unacceptably long delays” in the family justice system and the government is showing no urgency to deal with them, MPs have said.
Strike-off for solicitor who hid partnership money during divorce
A partner who deliberately failed to disclose during his divorce that he held over £23,000 in his capital account has been struck off.
Judge-led divorce service aims to be “Uber for financial remedies”
The co-founder of a divorce service which puts clients directly in touch with family law judges has said it aims to be a legal services “Uber for financial remedies”.
Budget nuptial agreements “should provoke alarm”
Budget nuptial agreements “can mislead parties and distort expectations in lower-income cases” and “should provoke alarm”, an academic specialising in family law has argued.
Solicitor launches DIY divorce course to help people “arm themselves”
A solicitor who says she has been bombarded with requests for help from people wanting to divorce but unable to afford a lawyer has launched a DIY course for £79.99.
NAO: Family justice at risk from “inconsistent political leadership”
A “lack of consistent political leadership” – because of the high turnover of ministers chairing the Family Justice Board – has contributed to the continuing court delays facing families.
Blog
Business fatigue to AI will risk job security
Whilst we know professional learning has always been part of career paths, to hire, retain and keep talent, AI needs to be embedded as a core part of this training.
On good authority? GenAI and the reputational risks to law firms
As GenAI’s influence grows, so do the risks which are already playing out in courtrooms across England and Wales, where some early adopters are setting precedents they would rather not.
Why this is the year for law firms to embrace generative AI
After more than a year of pilots, proofs of value and early experimentation, firms are increasingly embedding AI into day-to-day workflows.
