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An avalanche of reform

08 January 2015 / Geraldine Morris
Issue: 7635 / Categories: Features , Family
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Geraldine Morris reviews the family law changes in 2014 & makes predictions for the year ahead

This time last year I referred to a “plethora” of changes in relation to the family justice system planned for 2014 (“All change (again)”, 164 NLJ 7591, p 11). If I could go back in time I would change “plethora” to “avalanche”: it’s been an incredible programme of reform, rightly described by the President of the Family Division, Sir James Munby, as the “largest reform of the family justice system any of us have seen or will see in our professional lifetimes”. However, while some aspects of the reforms are working well, in a number of areas there’s still widespread confusion, and there’s lots more reform ahead in 2015. The following sets out just some of the changes/trends expected in 2015.

Financial provision

FRWG proposals

One of the most significant areas of reform in 2015 will be in relation to financial cases. The Financial Remedies Working Group (FRWG), led by Mr Justice Mostyn, published its

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NEWS
Lawyers have expressed dismay at the Chancellor Rachel Reeve’s decision to impose a £2,000 cap on salary sacrifice contributions
NLJ is inviting its readers to take part in this year’s annual reader research, a short survey designed to help shape the future direction of the magazine. The questionnaire consists of just eight quick questions and offers an opportunity for legal professionals to share their views on the content, coverage and issues that matter most to them.
The Law Society has urged regulators not to ban the term ‘no win no fee’, as the profession contemplates measures to prevent a disaster like the SSB Group collapse from happening again
The legal profession's leaders have mounted a robust defence of trial by jury, following reports that Justice Secretary David Lammy is considering restricting it to rape, murder, manslaughter and other cases that are in the public interest
CILEX (the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives) has been granted permission to appeal Mazur, a decision which has caused consternation among litigation firms
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