Family

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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

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.

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.

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

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.