Family

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 broadens the definition of abuse, recognises children in abusive households as victims in their own right, recognises ‘revenge porn’ as a criminal offence, stops the cross-examination of victims by perpetrators in court, creates new protection orders and establishes a Domestic Abuse Commissioner to stand up for victims.

Family lawyers need to ensure they have a clear & comprehensive understanding of the wide-ranging nature of domestic abuse, say Jenny Duggan & Francesca White

A two-week rapid consultation on remote, hybrid and in-person hearings in the family justice system and Court of Protection has been launched by Sir Andrew McFarlane, president of the Family Division.

Lawyers have expressed dismay at ministers’ decision to delay divorce reforms for six months while it grapples with issues regarding technology, legal, and court procedures.

The Lord Chancellor has announced five appointments to the Family Procedure Rule Committee (FPRC) and the reappointment of one member. 

The President of the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary has published guidance regarding the allocation of cases in Family Court. 

Emails to judges that go beyond routine case management conflict with principles of open justice, family law solicitor & NLJ columnist David Burrows writes in NLJ this week.

Is it time for remedies against those who abuse email contact with a judge? David Burrows examines open justice & quasi-evidence

One in four family lawyers is on the verge of quitting due to the pressure of work, according to a report on wellbeing in the profession.

The Nuffield Foundation has announced the publication of a new report, funded by Nuffield and completed by CoramBAAF, which aims to support judges with improving the anonymisation of children in judgments uploaded to the British and Irish Legal Information Institute (BAILII).