Family
Family lawyers bid to show that arbitration is “not just for the rich”
A new group promoting family law arbitration says one of the biggest barriers in its way is the public perception that it is designed “for the rich”.
Lawyers granted injunction against harassment from litigant in person
A solicitor and a barrister in a family case have been granted an interim injunction against the litigant in person on the other side accused of harassing them.
Family law market expected to “keep growing by 6%”
The family law market grew by 6.4% last year to £2.3bn and will keep growing by almost 6% a year until it reaches £2.9bn in 2029, new research has predicted.
Barrister self-reports to BSB after citing fake cases in skeleton
A barrister has reported herself to the Bar Standards Board after submitting authorities hallucinated by artificial intelligence (AI) to the High Court.
Legal Ombudsman names eight firms over “serious” service failures
A Liverpool law firm ordered to bear the cost of redeeming a client’s mortgage because of mistakes made in a conveyancing matter is among eight named by the Legal Ombudsman.
Mazur: Court refuses CILEX Fellow exemption to conduct litigation
A circuit judge has refused to grant a highly experienced chartered legal executive an exemption that would allow her to conduct a family law case.
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.
Blog
The overlooked hate crime reform in Crime & Policing Act
Reforms introduced by the Crime and Policing Act 2026 mark a significant development in hate crime law in England and Wales, recognising hostility related to sex as an aggravated offence.
The SRA’s strict liability gamble has failed. Good
The Court of Appeal handed down its judgment in Dentons v SRA on 27 April, and the profession is right to welcome it. It is the second time in short succession that the court has corrected the SRA.
How AI presents real opportunities for barristers
AI presents real opportunities to improve access to justice and to support barristers in day-to-day legal practice. But we all need to understand and mitigate the risks.
