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12 September 2019 / Graeme Fraser
Issue: 7855 / Categories: Opinion , Family , Divorce
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Back to square one?

Graeme Fraser shares ten family law priorities with the new Lord Chancellor…for when Parliament returns

The suspension of Parliament this month leaves a significant body of unfinished business yet to make it through the halls of Westminster, including the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill, which many of us hope to see reintroduced as soon as normal service is resumed. With some time on his hands to contemplate his in-tray during the party conference season, here are some suggested reforms for the recently appointed Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Robert Buckland QC, on how he could help improve access to justice, and equality of arms in the family law courts and the wider legal family.

No fault divorce

When the government introduced the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill, it promised to reform the divorce process to remove the concept of fault. With the prorogation of Parliament on Monday night, this unfortunately means the Bill will not proceed any further. Considering the existing support for this Bill across the House,

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

DWF—Chris Air

DWF—Chris Air

Firm strengthens commercial team in Manchester with partner appointment

Dorsey & Whitney—Mark Churchman

Dorsey & Whitney—Mark Churchman

Private equity specialist joins as partner in London

Haynes Boone—Philipp Kurek

Haynes Boone—Philipp Kurek

International arbitration practice bolstered by London partner hire

NEWS
The government will aim to pass legislation banning leasehold for new flats and capping ground rent, introducing non-compulsory digital ID and creating a ‘duty of candour’ for public servants (also known as the Hillsborough law) in the next Parliament

An Italian financier has lost his bid to block his Australian wife from filing divorce papers in England on the basis it was no longer her domicile of choice

Reforms to the disclosure regime in the business and property courts have not achieved their objectives, lawyers have warned
The Law Society has urged ministers to hold a public consultation on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the justice system as a whole
Ministers have proposed bringing inquest work under a single fee scheme for legal help and advocacy legal aid work
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