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08 January 2015 / Geraldine Morris
Issue: 7635 / Categories: Features , Family
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An avalanche of reform

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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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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Bell Yard Kysen—Liz Giles

Bell Yard Kysen—Liz Giles

Bell Yard Kysen appoints senior legal PR and ex-government communications adviser, Liz Giles

Clarke Willmott—Lee Edwards

Clarke Willmott—Lee Edwards

Clarke Willmott boosts Southampton commercial property team with addition of partner Lee Edwards

Lime Solicitors—four promotions

Lime Solicitors—four promotions

Lime Solicitors announces four promotions

NEWS
The Attorney General, Ellie Reeves KC MP, and Solicitor General, Andy Slaughter KC MP, marked the 25th anniversary of Pro Bono Week by joining lawyers, charities, students and parliamentarians at events celebrating voluntary legal work
Possession claims are entering a new digital era, with procedural traps awaiting practitioners who assume familiar rules still govern every step
Witness evidence can be compromised by AI before a solicitor sees the draft, leaving safeguards focused on authorship incomplete
Should a conviction stand when a later ruling reveals that the law underpinning it was wrong? The answer exposes a clash between finality and justice
The Environment Agency can prosecute offences beyond environmental legislation where proceedings support its statutory functions, the Divisional Court has confirmed
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